LA Rams roster looking like the NFL's Island of Misfit Toys

When the LA Rams lined up for the 2023 NFL Draft, the roster was less than half filled. While the team would eventually make 14 selections during the draft, that barely made a dent in the number of roster spots necessary to fill a 90-man roster for training camp. That was a bit concerning.

You see, no matter how good the Rams coaching staff might prove to be this season, the sheer number of rookies shuffling through onboarding, OTAs, and now training camp is going to create inefficiencies. Either the group will need to slow down to ensure that no player is left bewildered and behind, or the team continues on it's regular pace and risks losing those rookies who simply need extra time to keep up.

But the Rams' off-season headline has been more than a busload of rookies arriving to swell the ranks of the Rams roster. There has been an occasional sprinkling of an NFL veteran as well. In fact, the Rams' free agency signing of several players who were either claimed off the NFL Waiver Wire or who were signed after being released has been an unheralded story for the team this offseason. Well, not completely unheralded, as we pointed out the likely use of the waiver wire strategy in May 2023. And it seems that the Rams' front office was paying attention:

Rams roster rivals the Island of Misfit Toys

The addition of bargain veterans with low-risk and high-reward is a brand new strategy for the LA Rams front office.

The LA Rams roster is taking shape thanks to the castaways of other NFL teams. In a way, you could say that the Rams roster is the NFL equivalent of the Island of Misfit Toys. And that strategy appears to be paying off with huge dividends.

So who have the Rams added via the waiver wire this year?

• DB Vincent Gray - Claimed off New Orleans Saints waiver wire
• WR Tyler Johnson- Waived by Las Vegas Raiders, signed by Rams
• WR Demarcus Robinson - FA from Baltimore Ravens, signed by Rams
• DB Ahkello Witherspoon - Released by Pittsburgh Steelers, signed by Rams
• RB Royce Freeman - Released by Houston Texans, signed by Rams
• DB John Johnson III - Released by Cleveland Browns, signed by Rams

To help out, we have bolded the names of players who are likely to be starters or significant contributors for the LA Rams this season.

While competition for a spot on the LA Rams 53-man roster continues, one thing is certain: The LA Rams are not simply throwing in the towel this season. In fact, the late additions to the Rams roster could add as many as two to three wins to the Rams record this season.

Preseason games start this weekend. And just in time, the LA Rams are looking better all the time. Stay tuned.