Overlooked Rams rookie is quietly turning preseason into a roster push

The Los Angeles Rams drafted one wide receiver in the 2025 NFL Draft and added one veteran wide receiver in the 2025 NFL free agency market. The team even extended a wide receiver to a one-year deal worth $10 million. After all that, the roster was still a net loss of one player. The combination of Konata Mumpfield and Davante Adams as additions did not offset the subtraction of Cooper Kupp, Demarcus Robinson, or Tyler Johnson.

However, all is not lost. The same insightful scouts who identified Puka Nacua in 2023 and Jordan Whittington in 2024 are still at work. Their efforts yielded undrafted rookie wide receiver Brennan Presley, one of three undrafted rookies signed after the 2025 NFL Draft, and perhaps the most important name of the bunch.

Presley is a rookie wide receiver prospect out of Oklahoma State who signed a modest $4,000 signing bonus. He was one of 17 undrafted free agents added to the team after the draft, and has been one of the standouts so far. Standing 5-foot-8, weighing 174 pounds, and running a 4.46-second 40-yard dash, Presley is a versatile offensive weapon and a special teams standout.

Brennan Presley emerging as Rams’ ultimate preseason utility player

In college, he hauled in 315 receptions for 3,315 yards and 23 touchdowns. He also saw work as a running back, rushing 30 times for 160 yards and six touchdowns. If he looked like a versatile offensive weapon in college, you should see what he’s doing with the Rams so far in preseason.

Versatility is the X-factor for rookies hoping to make an NFL roster, and Brennan Presley has it in spades. He saw limited usage, both in the offense and on special teams, but he made the most of his opportunities.

Presley rushed once for 15 yards. He caught both passes thrown his way for 11 yards. On special teams, he returned one kickoff 38 yards. He also muffed a punt return but was able to recover the fumble. And all of that came in just one preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys.

The Draft Network’s Ryan Fowler has been high on Brennan Presley, even suggesting he could make the 53-man roster. While it’s still early, he might be onto something.

While Presley may not outperform any single player, his ability to contribute as a runner, receiver, and both a punt and kickoff returner gives the team far more value in one roster spot, freeing them to invest elsewhere. Will he beat out Britain Covey or Xavier Smith as a return specialist? Perhaps not. But he’s almost certainly headed for a re-signing with the team on the practice squad.

He’s simply too versatile. In the NFL, versatility means value. As always, thanks for reading.

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