How does LA Rams GM Les Snead find so many gems on other NFL teams' rosters?

Two things are certain about the LA Rams search for veteran players. The front office often gets their guy. But even more remarkable, Rams GM Les Snead has a sneaky good trend of finding true NFL gems buried on the depth charts of other NFL teams. How so? How's this for a positive trend?

• DB Darious Williams - claimed off Baltimore Ravens waiver wire
• IOL Coleman Shelton - signed off Arizona Cardinals practice squad
• IOL Austin Corbett -backup offensive lineman acquired from Cleveland Browns via trade
• RB Sony Michell - backup running back acquired from New England Patriots via trade
• IOL Kevin Dotson - backup offensive lineman acquired from Pittsburgh Steelers via trade

All five veteran players were either players whose original team parted ways with them, or were willing to part ways with them. And they ended up earning a starting role on the LA Rams roster.

Now, I'm not saying that Rams GM Les Snead walks on water. Nor am I saying that he possessed the Midas Touch, and that every veteran he signs from the NFL Waiver Wire or that he trades for becomes an instant success as a starter. But even skeptics must admit that he remains extremely vigilant about players who join the NFL, even if they land on the rosters of other teams.

Darious Williams off waivers

Darious Williams signed with the Baltimore Ravens after the 2018 NFL Draft, but was offered only a special teams role. When the Raven released him mid-season to make room to return a player from IR, the Rams pounced and added him to their 53-man roster.

Williams would play just four defensive snaps in 2018. But in 2019, the Rams secondary would undergo some upheaval. Former All Pro CB Aqib Talib would fall to a devastating injury after just five games. And his teammate, CB Marcus Peters, was ineffective as he allowed three touchdowns over six games. The Rams traded both cornerbacks away, allowing the team to trade for discontented All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey. And as the secondary was recast, the team tried Darious Williams in a starting role to close out the season.

Williams proved to be the ideal bookend to match Jalen Ramsey. As offenses threw away from Ramsey, Williams found himself getting plenty of work. In 2020, Williams picked off four passes and held opposing receiving to no better than a 54.2 percent completion rate.

And now, he's back to do it all over again

Kevin Dotson from Steelers to stainless steel

The LA Rams were back at it again in 2023 when their plans for a restocked offensive line fell short due to the lack of progress from second-year interior offensive lineman Logan Bruss. To properly prepare for the 2023 NFL season, GM Les Snead pulled the trigger on a trade for Pittsburgh Steelers backup interior offensive lineman Kevin Dotson, At the time, the move was a bit surprising. But nobody could know just how fortuitous and timely that exchange would prove to be.

Dotson would go on to start in 14 games for the LA Rams at right guard. Per Pro Football Focus, he would suit up for 881 offensive snaps. Of that, he would be flagged for two penalties while allowing four quarterback sacks. But he would prove to be one of the most effective and dependable offensive linemen for the team.

Dotson is a snarling, brutal offensive lineman whose tough-guy persona is not only not an act, but he excudes a bit of a snarl to his teammates as well. It was small wonder then that veteran right tackle Rob Havenstein did not hesitate to publicly lobby for the team to extend Dotson.

Now, keep in mind that Dotson arrived later in the process, and was not designated as the team's starting right guard until Week 4 of the 2023 NFL season. This year, he is getting his reps with the starters right out of the gate, and will have the benefit of a full training camp with the team.

The LA Rams continue to prove that building a championship roster begins by taking advantage of multiple opportunities in a variety of ways. The team has both Darious Williams and Kevin Dotson on the Rams roster for another run to the NFL Playoffs. And they are almost certainly going to help the team get there.

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