Little-known rookie may have forced his way into Rams’ roster conversation

The apex of any NFL player’s career, besides earning All-Pro or Pro Bowl honors, is to be featured in a video montage by Brian Baldinger. For undrafted Rams interior lineman Willie Lampkin, that recognition once felt like a long shot, if it ever came at all. But that’s the beauty of Baldy’s Breakdowns: if you play well, he’ll find you.

It wasn’t until late in the preseason opener that the undrafted rookie saw the field, shifting between guard and center. No matter where he lined up, he more than held his own. He flat-out overwhelmed anyone across from him. And you don’t have to take my word for it, Baldinger, who has been breaking down tape for decades, was fired up by what he saw.

That’s the thing about showing up in Baldy’s clips: it means you’ve earned it. He doesn’t hand out charity highlights. Only players who deserve recognition get the nod, and Lampkin absolutely did. If this is what he’s doing in his very first preseason action, imagine the ceiling for a rookie who already has one of the game’s most respected analysts singing his praises.

Rams Willie Lampkin faces a number's game

The truth is, the 23-year-old played incredibly well, but it came in just one preseason game, and late at that. That’s why fans are already clamoring for an encore. He played well in one outing against a team with a limited number of players. Can he repeat that performance against another team with more determined defenders?

The Rams hope so, but perhaps not as fervently as you might think. The front office was adept at replenishing the ranks of offensive linemen. It was so effective that the team is now bursting with more promising players than available roster slots. Some talented players will not make the roster, victims of the numbers game that claims many each year.

That complicates the need to play well. And it doesn’t stop there. Lampkin, for example, cannot be content with simply playing well. He has to play better than his teammates, who are also competing for a limited number of spots. That means he must shine brighter than Beaux Limmer, Justin Dedich, Dylan McMahon, and even fellow rookie Wyatt Bowles.

That’s a tall task for someone who gets limited reps in practice and has only seen action late in one preseason game. But fear not. He managed to catch the eye of Baldy. Whenever that happens, good things are bound to follow.

As always, thanks for reading.

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