Is this just too much too little too late for LA Rams Michael Hoecht?

If you have followed the LA Rams defensive line, you know that Coach Eric Henderson puts up a very competitive unit each season. Of course, when you are building a defensive front around the likes of All-Pro defensive lineman Aaron Donald, you know you are going to have a good one. While that’s true enough, you have to hand it to the fact that the LA Rams have opened the roster to undrafted but very talented players. Players like Eric Banks, Jonah Williams, and Michael Hoecht.

We’ve talked about the fact that the LA Rams rising stars on defense has included a number of players, but so far the name of Michael Hoecht has just flirted on the outside of that group of star defensive performers. To date, he has three tackles and no sacks. That was just not enough to put him on the radar.

But he showed up in a huge way against the Denver Broncos, and this was against the starters. In the first half, he has put up four tackles, a strip-sack, and a fumble recovery that set up the LA Rams for their third field goal with no time remaining to end the first half.  That is the type of work that put outside linebacker Chris Garrett in the headlines after the Las Vegas Raiders game

But this is the third and final preseason game, and the pecking order of the defensive line is likely already set. Will that be enough to pry loose a roster spot?

It’s hard to say. The fact is that this is the last preseason game and the Rams appear to be putting their bubble players out on the field is a bit of a concern. QB Bryce Perkins has played the entire game. RB Xavier Jones has played the entire game. For defense, Michael Hoecht started the game and played very well.

If he hasn’t earned a 53-man roster, Hoecht will certainly be signed to the Rams practice squad. That is, of course, if he gets through waivers.