Former Rams UDFA steal found immediate redemption after roster cut

The Los Angeles Rams had difficult roster decisions to make as they cut down to 53 players, just like every other team. But one player, in particular, probably should not have been allowed to walk out the door.

The Rams decided to release rookie offensive lineman Willie Lampkin, an undrafted free agent out of North Carolina who was one of the more beloved prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft class, and for a variety of reasons.

Lampkin is an extremely rare offensive line prospect, as Rams fans came to know. He's only 5-foot-11, but weighs a stout 290 pounds. And he proved in the preseason that he can hold up against other NFL competition. The Rams subjected him to waivers anyway, undoubtedly hoping he'd make it through and onto their practice squad. He did not.

Eagles snatch Willie Lampkin away from the Rams off of waivers

The Philadelphia Eagles, who are dead last in the waiver claim order based on the 2025 NFL Draft order, were the only team to put in a claim on Lampkin, who was given draftable grades by a number of outlets. Lampkin's ability to play the interior offensive line despite being one of the shortest linemen you'll ever see (height in the 0.01 percentile) is really something to witness.

And the Rams must have been overly confident about him sneaking through waivers.

The Eagles have one of the best offensive line coaches in the game in Jeff Stoutland. Stoutland has become renowned in NFL circles with the work he's done in Philly, developing first-round picks like Lane Johnson as well as unheralded players like Jason Kelce and Jordan Mailata. He's had mid-round picks, reclamation projects, and everything in between.

Stoutland gets the most out of his guys, period.

The fact that the Eagles wanted Lampkin bad enough should have the Rams wondering if they made a dire mistake.

The Rams still have 2024 sixth-round pick Beaux Limmer backing up starting center Coleman Shelton, but that was a position group where someone like Lampkin should have been able to stand out enough to warrant a 53-man roster spot.

The Eagles scooped Lampkin up and now we'll have to simply wait and see if that decision is going to come back and bite the Rams. Good for the Eagles not assuming someone else would claim a player they wanted, or perhaps they had good intel that nobody ahead of them in the waiver order put in a claim before they decided to snatch him up.

Either way, Lampkin goes from one NFC contender to the reigning Super Bowl champs, and perhaps the best offensive line coach in the game.

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