Nikhai Hill-Green remains Rams' frontrunner to win worthwhile distinction

The Los Angeles Rams supplemented this year's five-player draft class with a host of undrafted free-agent signings afterward. The reality, of course, is that few of those prospects even have a shot at cracking the 53-man roster. There are several, though, and if an undrafted rookie is going to make the team, linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green remains the Rams' best bet.

In large part that is because linebacker remains a weak spot on the roster. Nate Landman is a solid to above-average starter, but Omar Speights will have to fight to keep his spot alongside him. Hill-Green could give him a run for his money.

The other part is that he excels where Speights struggles - in pass coverage. After a resilient college career that began at Michigan and ended at Alabama, Hill-Green is here to make some noise at Rams training camp.

Rams fans should keep tabs on Hill-Green this summer

Hill-Green fought back from injury and demotion at Michigan to claim a starting role at Charlotte, then Colorado, and finally clawed his way back into a premium Power program with the Crimson Tide. He finished second in college football last season with a 55 percent completion rate allowed. 

There are, of course, other undrafted candidates to make the cut, led by cornerback Al'Zillion Hamilton. But because of Hill-Green's specific skill set and position, he remains the frontrunner.

The Rams will welcome competition in the off-ball linebacker rotation. Even if Speights holds onto his job, they could use some depth. Hill-Green and special-teams weapon Shaun Dolac will be the leading contestants to seize depth-chart priority. 

Hill-Green has a realistic shot to claim a starting spot, if not by Week 1 then at some point during the season. As an undrafted rookie himself in 2024, Speights played all 17 games and started 10. Hill-Green has an ironic opportunity to do the same.

He has added some bulk to his college frame, clocking in at 6-foot-2 and 235 pounds. That puts his build right between Speights, who is an inch shorter and 234, and Landman, also 234 pounds but at 6-foot-3. Hill-Green profiles as a nimble coverage 'backer to support Landman's work against the run. 

His senior-year stat line won't wow anyone. Hill-Green accumulated 60 tackles, five tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles. He recorded three passes defensed. 

But he also surged toward the end of the season when the stakes reached their highest. In a three-game sample covering the Conference Championship against Georgia and extending through Alabama's playoff run to the Quarterfinals, Hill-Green accounted for 16 tackles, two TFLs, and 2 PDs. 

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