LA Rams: Landen Akers, Jeremiah Haydel out to beat the odds

The LA Rams roster entered the 2021 offseason with a fairly solid and comprehensive stable of wide receivers with veteran Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, Van Jefferson, Nsimba Webster, Trishton Jackson, and J.J. Koski all lining up to contribute. Of course, the team wanted a deep threat and addressed that by adding DeSean Jackson.

The Rams then went on to add wide receivers Tutu Atwell, Ben Skowronek, and even WR/TE Jacob Harris via the 2021 NFL Draft.  It was a deep wide receiver class, perhaps deeper and more talented than that from the 2020 NFL Draft. Ten players, for what is likely six slots on the 53-man roster.

But the Rams were not done. The team continued to staff the wide receiver position by signing two undrafted free agent rookies Landen Akers and Jeremiah Haydel.  While both have tremendous odds to make the team, they will have the opportunity to showcase their talents and earn the right to do so. That’s something undrafted players were not given just one short year ago.

So now, the question falls to the obvious. Who are these two undrafted free agents? Are they merely camp bodies, or do they have a unique combination of talents that could flash in the offseason training program and preseason games to give them a bonafide chance at making the LA Rams roster?  Keep in mind that even making the practice squad is a huge step in the right direction for either of these two NFL hopefuls.

So now they are on the roster, what’s next? Well, showing up on time, alert, and demonstrating knowledge of the plays and their responsibility is a good start. Checking all the boxes is a mandate, and flashing brilliance whenever and wherever the opportunity presents itself. Undrafted free agent rookies cannot be content to simply be as good as other players, they must be better. So who are they? Let’s take a look.