Most impressive undrafted rookies so far in Rams preseason

(2) - DB Jaylen McCollough

The LA Rams certainly wanted to ensure that they were able to sign former Tennessee defensive back Jaylen McCollough to a contract, They spiced up his compensation with a $15,000 signing bonus and inked him to a three-year deal. After seeing how well this 6-foot-0 202-pound rookie safety played in his first preseason game, it was obvious why the team was eager to add him to the roster.

He competed in 44 defensive snaps, and made five solo tackles in the game. While he did allow all three passes to his receiver to find their mark, he played very sticky coverage, and almost immediately brought down his receiver. But perhaps most impressively, he very much looked the part of a defensive back who was comfortable in the secondary, and knew where the play was going and where he needed to be. He was impressive enough to be mentioned by HC Sean McVay multiple times.

(1) - ILB Omar Speights

Former LSU inside linebacker Omar Speights played just 40 defensive snaps, but he had the type of game where you could not help but notice him. He seemed to be involved in almost every big defensive play, and that may be true. In the game recap box score, Omar Speights was credited with four tackles and one tackle for a loss.

Even better, Pro Football Focus noticed his unsung heroics, and graded him as the second-best Rams performer in the first preseason game:

For now, Speights is playing as well as possible. The team did not play starting ILB Ernest Jones IV, Christian Rozeboom, or Troy Reeder, which suggests that they have already secured their roster spots. But I loved what I saw from Speights. Unlike Reeder, he always seemed to be in an optimal position to make the play. And unlike Rozeboom, he seemed to have a confident and physical presence that held an aura of some of the Rams' best linebackers in the history of all-time. He may be playing against the house this season, but he is a fiery competitor. Somehow, the Rams always seem to find a way to give those types of players opportunities.

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