Former Wisconsin star is quietly on the Rams' chopping block

The Los Angeles Rams have 87 players on the roster and are climbing to the 90-player training camp limit. But the team will only have 90 players through OTAs, training camp, and preseason. Before you know it, the team will be giving pink slips to 37 players, notifying them of their release. 24 hours later, the team will be authorized to re-sign 16 of those dismissed players to the team's practice squad.

More than a third of the team's roster will be shown the door.

So it should not come as any surprise to factor in veterans into the mix in terms of not making the grade. For the Rams, that opens the door to multiple veterans, as Rams GM Les Snead has been aggressive and opportunistic when it comes to signing players to the roster to shore up the lower third of the roster. One such veteran is former Detroit Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus.

Cephus was drafted by the Detroit Lions in Round 5 of the 2020 NFL Draft. As such, he played on the team with Rams QB Matthew Stafford. Cephus caught 20 passes for 349 yards and two touchdowns in his rookie season. That would be the high-water mark of his NFL career.

Cephus signed with the Rams to compete on the practice squad in September 2024. While he did not get any work with the offense last season, the Rams did retain him for the 2025 season via a Reserve/Future contract.

So now the question is: Will the 6-foot-1, 208-pound veteran wide receiver make the Rams roster in 2025? In eight-ball language: 'Signs point to no'.

Quintez Cephus was a star of the Wisconsin Badgers offense, putting up 501 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 2017. He missed all of 2018 due to legal matters, but returned after being cleared of allegations. He came roaring back with 901 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in 2019. While not exceptionally fast, he ran a 4.73-second 40-yard dash,

Cephus was a two-sport star, turning down a basketball scholarship to focus on football. While not swift, he does build impressive speed. He can create separation if started in motion, bunched up, or lined up as a slot receiver. As a bonus, he can make one-handed catches. But he failed to get any playing time in 2024, and the competition is even stiffer in 2025.

As soon as the Rams drafted rookie WR Konata Mumpfield, Cephus was demoted on the Rams' depth chart. With a trio of projected starters at wide receiver, including Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, and Tutu Atwell, the primary backups on the roster are likely Jordan Whittington, Xavier Smith, and rookie WR Konata Mumpfield. Even punt return specialist Britain Covey has a real shot at replacing Smith as the team's WR/KR/PR specialist.

But Cephus remains on the outside looking in.

If the Rams offense insisted on the same Cooper Kupp clones in 2025, he might have a chance. But the front office seems dedicated to expanding the range of wide receivers in the offense. The team parted ways with 2024 key receivers Cooper Kupp, Demarcus Robinson, and Tyler Johnson, all of whom stand between 6-foot-1 and 6-foot-2.

The Rams need explosive plays on offense. That simply is not what Quintez Cephus delivers. It's a new chapter for this offense. Unfortunately, former Wisconsin Badgers star WR Quintez Cephus boasts what the Rams used to seek. The team is looking for a new category of offensive stars in 2025.

As always, thanks for reading.

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