LA Rams add unfamiliar C but a QB you’ve heard about before

The LA Rams are once more scrambling to restock their roster. This time, injuries to Rams starting quarterback Matthew Stafford, backup quarterback John Wolford, and starting center Brian Allen have greatly impacted the Rams roster, precipitating the LA Rams’ need to sign more players. The front office has done so, bringing on both an interior offensive lineman as well as a quarterback we had in our sights weeks ago.

So who are they?  Well, none other than offensive center Cole Toner and quarterback Case Cookus.

Now, what can we tell you about them?

For starters, IOL Coler Toner was selected by the Arizona Cardinals as the 170th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He eventually would sign on with the LA Chargers for three seasons, and the Houston Texans for one season. His best season was in 2020 when he played in 10 games and started three for the LA Chargers. Out of 295 offensive snaps, he did not allow a single quarterback sack nor did he commit any penalties.

Toner stands 6-foot-5 and weighs a robust 310 pounds. For now, he is an emergency option for the LA Rams offensive line. But with the Rams’ track record so far, he could see some playing time.

QB Case Cookus has been on our radar for months. We mentioned his name over one year ago and urged the team to kick the tires on Case Cookus in June 2022, and even imagined just one this versatile could help the Rams offense in July 2022.

Cookus is a native of Thousand Oaks, California, and stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 205 pounds. He has had stints with the New York Giants, Denver Broncos, and Minnesota Vikings before making a name for himself in the USFL with the Philadelphia Stars.

A bit like Jared Goff, he is a pocket passer who does have the ability to scramble for positive yards. While he is a bit raw, he has proven himself in USFL play as someone who can make the big throws, who can read coverages, and best of all can innovate to get positive yards out of broken plays.

The LA Rams need to consider future talent, and QB Case Cookus has enough of that to be considered as a player who should be brought back to the Rams’ 2023 training camp. The Rams must now try to hold it together long enough to see who on their roster promises a larger role on the team next season.

Will Cole Toner or Case Cookus be part of the LA Rams’ future? That may be answered in the coming weeks. For now, they are on the Rams practice squad. And for now, that opens the door to greater roles with this team in the future.