Rams' latest free-agent signing offers more than meets the eye

Even as the Los Angeles Rams move on from training camp, general manager Les Snead remains vigilant. With the preseason on the doorstep, he must ensure adequate depth at each position. Head coach Sean McVay detests playing his starters and rotational players in preseason games. It's up to Snead to make sure he doesn't have to.

The Rams' 90-man roster has undergone some minor shuffling of late. After losing promising rookie cornerback Al'zillion Hamilton to a failed physical, they welcomed him back just in time for the preseason. Unfortunately, an injury to fellow first-year corner Drey Norwood resulted in the latter's release.

Right on cue, shortly after signing pass rusher Daniel Rickert, Snead acted instantly to fill Norwood's spot by signing veteran Zech McPhearson. What can fans expect from McPhearson, and does he have a chance to make the team in any capacity?

Zech McPhearson could give Rams a bonus on special teams

While new to the Rams, McPhearson is a tried-and-tested NFL veteran. The 2021 fourth-rounder served as a rotational piece and special-teamer with the Philadelphia Eagles until the end of the 2024 preseason. He then joined the Jaguars' practice squad before being released ahead of last season.

McPhearson faces an uphill climb to make the team, but the 5-foot-11, 191-pound DB is more than just a warm body intended to be a preseason pylon. In two seasons with the Birds from 2021-22, he only allowed only 12 of 22 passes to find their intended targets. He missed just four of 34 tackle chances over that span, while never surrendering a touchdown completion. McPhearson also notched a sack and two pass deflections.

He made a name for himself as a heady special-teams star in Philadelphia. In one game in 2022, he recorded two tackles on special teams and took possession of an onside kick to help lead his team to a 38-35 win over the Detroit Lions.

"It feels great to get that honor for all of that hard work we put in on special teams," McPhearson said. "Getting noticed for something like that is a complete honor. I feel good about it. It definitely gives me a little more motivation, a little more fire to keep it going and double back and get it again."

Not only do the Rams get a seasoned depth piece for the preseason, they also add a former Special Teams Player of the Week. Even with a new and improved special teams unit, that's a bonus they could use.

This signing was neither coincidence nor chance. Snead is hunting special-teams stars and may have found another one worth noting in McPhearson.

As always, thanks for reading.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow