7 Rams who may already have earned a roster spot before Game 3 vs Texans

(4) - OLB Nick Hampton

Appalachian State outside linebacker Nick Hampton may be entering his second NFL season, but he is already attracting plenty of praise for the way he has arrived to compete in 2024. And it's not just originating from coaches and beat reporters. CBS Sports NFL analyst Chris Trapasso named Hampton as one of his five 'Out of Nowhere,' prospects for the 2024 NFL season.

And he is not alone.

Throughout his 2023 NFL Draft profile, Nick Hampton was praised for his instincts, football IQ, ferocity, and ability to be in the right place to make the play. But the unanimous weakness cited by those same draft profiles was his limited strength, power, and durability that Hampton was bringing to the NFL. Well don't look now, but Nick Hampton has muscled up. He has grown from 236 pounds in 2023 to 247 pounds in 2024. And it's all muscle.

That upgrade is muscle mass is the reason why he has leveled up this season. Already showing up in preseason, it appears that a roster slot is his to lose right now. And he won't lose it.

(3) DT Carlos Watkins

While he has not been on the scene for very long, recently signed defensive tackle Carlos Watkins certainly has taken the old adage 'put your best foot forward,' to heart. In his first and only preseason game for the LA Rams, he put up two tackles, one quarterback sack, and forced a fumble. That was all from just 28 defensive snaps in the game.

And that is after he signed with the team just days earlier:

Watkins is 6-foot-3 and 305 pounds, and is powerful enough to slide all over the team's defensive front. He was added to the roster after Larrell Murchison suffered an injury. Curiously, he shows no signs of just showing up for a paycheck to close out the preseason with the team and move on. He is showing up with a fiercely competitive spirit that was center stage against the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Rams have several young defensive linemen vying for a roster spot. Carlos Watkins is one of the few veterans at the postiion competing in preseason games. But he showed why veterans can be a more consistent contributor on the roster. As such, he may be closer to making the team than his release.