5 undrafted rookies who can change the Rams in their rookie season

(2) - OT Trey Wedig

The Rams love to optimize their roster value by leveraging undrafted rookie offensive linemen to coach up into starting roles. Starting left tackle Alaric Jackson saved the team 10s of millions of dollars by earning the starting job at left tackle, allowing the team to spend those millions elsewhere. Now, the introduction of outstanding offensive tackle Trey Wedig allows the team to coach him up to compete as the successor to veteran right tackle Rob Havenstein's job.

Wedig is a Wisconsin offensive tackle who finished out his final season at Indiana. Viewed as a right tackle, the 6-foot-6, 310-pound Wedig was projected as a Day 3 rookie selection. In 421 pass blocks in 2024, he surrendered two quarterback sacks and one quarterback hit.

Wedig arrives raw, which is to be expected for an undrafted offensive tackle. He needs to refine his handwork, footwork, and muscle up in the gym. But he is quite coachable, has excellent football IQ, and brings a respectable college experience to bear in the NFL. All that is needed is a coaching staff to harness and refine his natural talents and skills.

With Wedig aboard, the Rams have far more flexibility to work with their other offensive tackles. Warren McClendon Jr. KT Leveston, and A.J. Arcuri are not necessarily out of the running. It's simply that competition just ramped up significantly

(1) - IOL Ben Dooley

Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty was the talk of the 2025 NFL Draft. But 6-foot-5, 320-pound interior offensive lineman Ben Dooley was responsible for opening up those running lanes. That's the piece that all too many NFL general managers fail to grasp during and following the draft. But the Rams seem to follow the breadcrumbs from elite rookies back to the supporting cast.

The addition of Coleman Shelton infuses solid depth at center. The exodus of Jonah Jackson diluted the team's depth at offensive guard, now relying on the return of undrafted rookie IOL Justin Dedich to cover two positions. But the team has signed IOL Willie Lampkin, Wyatt Bowles, and Ben Dooley, all bring something to the roster.

But Dooley's production is more than at the offensive line. His contribution elevated the performance of the running back.

The Los Angeles Rams' current center, Coleman Shelton, was undrafted. Left tackle Alaric Jackson was undrafted. Effective offensive linemen in the NFL do not fall under the same rules as other NFL positions. They require the ability to interlock and overlap the skills of teammates to be effective. It's that reason that tips over the apple cart when injury befalls one or more players.

Dooley is an NFL-ready competitor whose skill set is good across all aspects. Unfortunately, NFL GMs fixate on rookies who excel in some qualities. As such, Dooley was not able to break through to hear his name during the draft. But he did sign with the Rams, and the Rams have an impressive track record of developing starters from the ranks of undrafted rookies.

With OTAs and training camp ahead, there is plenty of work for the Rams' rookies. But that is par for the course, as they have put in immeasurable hours just to get to this point. It all makes for great competition.

As always, thanks for reading.

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