Closing arguments for these for 4 LA Rams bubble players

II: Edge Rusher

The talk of the town has been the performance of rookie outside linebacker Daniel Hardy. But Keir Thomas has quietly put together a very persuasive package for a roster spot. He was afforded limited opportunities but made the most of them. Will his performance be enough?

Let’s say it this way. It should be.

Edge rushers quickly get scooped up as teams try to maximize pressure on opposing quarterbacks by keeping a steady rotation of freshly rested edge rushers in hot pursuit. Keir Thomas’ performance may not have optimized his chances of making the LA Rams 53-man roster, but he most certainly has done enough to earn a spot on an NFL 53-man roster.

Now the question is, what strategy will the Rams employ as the team attempts to keep the young man on the practice squad?

He put up five tackles, one quarterback sack, and three tackles for a loss in limited playing time in the LA Rams preseason.

Look for his name to show up at or nearly at the 1:00 pm PT deadline from the Rams if they try to sneak him from the active roster to the practice squad roster. Thomas is solid hardwood, a 6-foot-2 272-pound fast-moving freight train off the edge. Like all rookies, his play is inconsistent, and he needs to be coached up to refine his technique.

But he is a solid performer. Coming off the edge, he can track and close rapidly on the quarterback, at a speed that is reminiscent of Greg “Gazelle” Gaines.