Les Snead takes vital 1st step towards successful 2026 Rams season

The Los Angeles Rams have big plans for the 2026 NFL season. But every season, successful or not, starts with reconstructing the roster. As is the case for every season, NFL teams are permitted to extend contracts with up to 90 players throughout the course of the offseason and all the way through preseason.

And general manager Les Snead just took the first step towards doing so. The team reported signing 15 players to Reserve/Future contracts. They are (in no particular order):

• OL A.J. Arcuri
• OL Wyatt Bowles (though not shown on team's official roster)
• WR Tru Edwards
• S Tanner Ingle
• CB Alex Johnson
• CB Cam Lampkin
• OL Dylan McMahon
• ILB Elias Neal
• DL Bill Norton
• WR Brennan Presley
• TE Mark Redman
• WR Tyler Scott
• S Nate Valcarcel
• RB Jordan Waters
• WR Mario Williams

While LA's off-season shopping list is unlikely to be altered by the return of these former practice squad reserves, it does take the pressure off finding young players to round out the roster. As you examine the positions of these returning players, some things start to fall into place.

Depth at some shallow position groups begins to swell to an adequate depth. One area of instant depth is the offensive line, which has now added three young offensive linemen to the ranks, on top of extending veteran offensive tackle David Quessenberry.

Rams can now begin to aim for specific players

The LA Rams roster at 52 had already accounted for practice squad players remaining under contract. Realistically, the team needs one more player to achieve the 53-man active roster, plus another 16 players for the practice squad.

Armed with 10 draft picks and with fistfuls of contracts to sign after the 2026 NFL Draft, that number should be relatively easy to achieve.

But don't ignore the potential for multiple former practice squad players to earn a spot on the active roster this season. Several players in the list above actually saw action in 2026. While much of the work was limited to special teams roles, that could all change with an impressive training camp in 2026.

Who should fans keep on their radar? Running back Jordan Waters is the lone 'power back' size on the roster. He was released unceremoniously in 2025. But he's back, so perhaps he has a chance of sticking around this season?

Another big-bodied bruiser is defensive lineman Bill Norton. Listed at 6-foot-6 and 336 pounds, he is a huge mass of muscle to plague offensive linemen in the trenches. Even inside linebacker Elias Neal could finally break through to earn a roster spot. He's entering his third season, and he has a knack for covering passes as well as stuffing the run.

There is a long road ahead for Les Snead to restore the roster to training camp readiness. However, signing 15 players to Reserve/Future contracts ensures that the team has veterans who are familiar with the LA way returning for OTAs and training camp.

And that's a perfect first step to a successful season.

As always, thanks for reading.