Predicting race for Rams' final edge-rusher roster spot after latest UDFA addition

On Friday, the last day of Los Angeles Rams training camp, the team added undrafted rookie Daniel Rickert, who transferred from Tennessee Tech to Virginia before last year and enjoyed a fine single season of FBS football. The 6-foot-2, 232-pound defensive end recorded 6.5 sacks and eight tackles for loss in 14 games. 

Having spent the entire offseason below the 90-man roster limit, the Rams had no reason not to fill out the depth chart. That said, adding Rickert is unlikely to cause much turnover. 

He joins a group at the backend of the edge rusher rotation that includes fellow UDFAs Wesley Bailey and Darryl Peterson; veteran Tomon Fox; comeback candidate Keir Thomas II; and fourth-year DE Desjuan Johnson, the likely favorite to round out the 53-man unit at the position.

Projecting competition for Rams' last edge-rusher spot

Aside from the roster locks - Myles Garrett, Byron Young, and Josaiah Stewart - those six will battle for what will likely be one spot. Here's how the competition shakes out, in descending order from favorite to underdog, after Rickert's addition:

Desjuan Johnson - Appearing in 27 games across three seasons, plus six more in the playoffs, Johnson is the clear incumbent in this race. The former 259th overall pick has compiled five sacks in 323 regular-season snaps (and another one in the postseason), to go with 33 tackles and five tackles for loss. Last season he also carved out a role on special teams, earning 45 percent of available snaps in six games.

Keir Thomas II - Thomas, who re-signed with the Rams after a season-ending injury last preseason, has impressed in training camp. The biggest question for Thomas is whether he can put those injury concerns to rest and outduel Johnson for the fourth and final edge-rusher spot.

Tomon Fox - The Rams signed Fox after losing UDFA Eddie Walls III to injury. Fox spent four years with the Giants, appeared in 37 games (two starts), and recorded a pair of sacks plus 45 tackles. If Johnson or Thomas don't get the nod, give the edge to Fox for his experience.

Wesley Bailey - Bailey played five years of college ball, transferring from Rutgers to Louisville in 2025 to have a career-best year: six sacks and seven TFLs in 12 games. Listed at 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds, he has a size advantage over Peterson and Rickert that makes him well-suited to play outside linebacker, the position the Rams' edge-rushing scheme relies on in their base 3-4 front.

Darryl Peterson - Peterson spent all five college seasons at Wisconsin before signing with the Rams in undrafted free agency. 2025 was his best season: 6.5 sacks and 11.5 TFLs.

Daniel Rickert - Maybe this isn't fair, but Rickert is also paying a new-guy premium for joining the system a bit later than the others, which in theory will present him with more of a learning curve. Preseason will be his time to shine.

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