Most impressive undrafted rookies so far in Rams preseason

With a team effort, and a preseason win, the LA Rams have a euphoric mood this week. Or. . .

Do they?

You see, this is competition. Perhaps the purest form of the stuff that a young NFL player will face throughout his NFL career. You see, this is when rookies, and young veterans must prove their worth to their teammates, coaches, and to the NFL at large. In a meritocracy, the young players are not given respect, trust, or playing time. They must earn the right to play.

For 10 LA Rams drafted rookies, that means an easier task than for their fellow undrafted rookies. Because the team has already invested something of value into acquiring those players, they have the benefit of second-chances, patience, and a much longer runway to build up speed and prove to be NFL worthy.

But for undrafted college free-agent players signed after the 2024 NFL Draft, there is no such investment. The team has given 16 young rookies an opportunity to make this team, or not. But that future rests almost entirely on them. And so, this is a crucial moment.

One preseason game down and just two more to go. Even as you read this, roster spots are being pencilled in, and players who may show up in a huge way in Game 3 may not even have a chance to make the team due to no more open slots. And yet, competing is their only way of banging open the door, even when it may be closing on them.

Even as roster spots may be evaporating, don't despair. The LA Rams will have 16 spots on their practice squad that will bring back those players who were oh-so-close to earning the right to make this team in 2024, but who need more coaching, time, or simply a better field of players at the same position to compete against next season.

This is simply the first preseason game