4 rookies who probably won't make the 53-man Rams roster, but should

In the NFL, a player's career can be vulnerable to timing. For newcomers to the Los Angeles Rams, that is especially true. While the five Rams drafted rookies make up the smallest draft class in team history, they are particularly potent in terms of sklills possessed for their respective positions.

Were these rookies drafted in 2023, they all have a strong chance to earn significant rotational roles. And some may even have earned the right to start.

But what of the 18 undrafted collegiate rookies who signed with Los Angeles immediately after the draft? Some may impress the coaching staff enough to earn a roster spot at the bottom of the Rams depth chart. Many will not.

Although LA affords opportunities to undrafted collegiate free agents, those rookies must pay their dues. And that typically means hanging on for a year or two on the practice squad.

Those veterans will ultimately either earn their own spots on the Rams roster or lose out to a new rookie with a fresh outlook and skillset. But some rookies have enough intrigue to earn fans' support to rally behind them. As LA enters its 2026 training camp, here are four undrafted rookies who probably won't make the 53-man Rams roster, but should.

4 rookies who probably won't make the 53-man Rams roster, but should

1. Tight end Dan Villari

Even with an offense that loves to run 13-personnel packages, competing for playing time and a roster spot as one of eight tight ends is a huge mountain to climb. And for a quarterback-turned-tight-end, Dan Villari is already at the back of the class. With that being said, it's not often that an NFL team lands a tight end who can run, catch, pass, and block. Villari stands for versatility.

Villari is too unique to warrant his own scripted offensive plays. And he's buried too far on the depth chart to get a legit shot at making an impact in 2026. Still, a tight end who can run like a running back and throw like a quarterback is not common. He won't make the roster, but he should.

2. Edge rusher Eddie Walls III

Eddie Walls III may have struggled to make a significant impact in college. But over his final two seasons, he generated 92 tackles, 17.5 tackles for a loss, and 12.0 quarterback sacks. He will need time to adjust to the speed, power, and physicality of the NFL. While that is true, he brings a ferociousness and snarl to the line of scrimmage.

Walls won't have an easy path to opportunities. While he may be chaos personified, he will be competing for limited opportunities throughout training camp. And with fewer chances, he will have to be patient. Still, standing out on special teams could be the ticket. If they give him a chance, that is.

3. Running back Dean Connors

Another rookie out of Houston, running back Dean Connors, offers all the intrigue of bigger-bodied running backs as in previous seasons. That's why fans can be sure that he won't make the roster. Still, he offers significant production as both a runner and a receiver. He even has special teams experience at returning kickoffs.

But at 5-foot-11 and 206 pounds, he is just too big to stick with LA. Just ask running back Jordan Waters, who stands 6-foot-0 and tips the scales at 225 pounds. General manager Les Snead loves to add at least one bigger running back to the roster each season. Unfortunately, the team shed them just as quickly.

4. Defensive lineman Payton Zdroik

Los Angeles has no hesitation in signing a player due to less-than-optimal height. After all, nose tackle Poona Ford is incredible at stuffing the run, but he is under 6-foot-0. Well, rookie defensive lineman Payton Zdroik is generously listed as 6-foot-0 on the official site. But height and weight are the only sub-optimal factors in his book of business.

Zdroik is not a nose tackle per se, but he offers incredible athleticism, versatility, and production. The problem is, he is great at production, but he needs playing time to prove that on the football field. He is going to have a tough time out-hustling his teammates to get those shots. And that is where he will miss the mark.

Keep in mind that even Puka Nacua's record-setting rookie season needed an injury to veteran wide receiver Cooper Kupp to open the door. These four rookies may not be at Nacua's level of elite, but without opportunities, we may never know.

As always, thanks for reading.

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