Rams roster is still shy after signing 18 undrafted college free agents

The Los Angeles Rams drafted five rookies. And as soon as the draft ended, LA signed 18 undrafted college free agents in a flash. But even after adding 23 rookies, the roster stands at 86 players. That means that this team has room to add four additional players before reaching the 90-man roster limit.

But in the meantime, let's discuss who was added. 23 new rookies is a rather large group of new faces.

The question now becomes, of the 23 new additions, how many will carve out a role on this team's roster, whether on the active roster or on the practice squad. After all, this team was virtually set with starters, and only sought rotational and depth players

Even as the team halted the shopping spree before reaching the 90-man roster limit, the final few players are likely to be veterans or, at the very least, rookies with a specific niche role. In the meantime, let's follow through with some more introductions, as it will take some time to become familiar with so many first-year NFL players:

Offensive rookies (11)

QBs (2) - Ty Simpson (drafted) | Matt Caldwell (UDFA)

It's unlikely that veteran Jimmy Garoppolo will return to Los Angeles, which makes the addition of two rookie quarterbacks so controversial and yet so utterly fascinating. While fans may be slow to come around, they will soon start warming up to the new rookies. This is a fan base that has supported backup quarterbacks John Wolford, Bryce Perkins, and even Carson Wentz.

It's a brand new chapter for the LA Rams, and the arrival of Ty Simpson and Matt Caldwell is the first sign that a new chapter for this football team awaits it in the near future.

TEs (3) - Max Klare (drafted) | Rohan Jones (UDFA) | Dan Villari (UDFA)

With new offensive coordinator Nate Scheelhaase sliding into the role vacated by Mike LaFleur, many fans worried about 13-personnel packages. Well, three new tight ends suggest the offense is going heavy on heavy packages in 2026. That's good news. Better still is the fact that LA has three different but very promising rookie additions.

WRs (1) - CJ Daniels (drafted)

If you need confirmation that the offense is going heavy on tight ends, drafting one wide receiver out of 23 rookie additions is it. Los Angeles traded up for CJ Daniels, which should tell fans that he is viewed as a huge contributor in the future. And while he will compete for playing time, don't be overly discouraged if he is a bench warmer in 2026.

Still, he's a gamer, and we'll talk about him more in the future.

RBs (1) - Dean Connors (UDFA)

The offense is unlikely to find room for rookie running back Dean Connors, but fans may wish it did. Connors is a mighty mouse, standing 5-foot-11 and weighing 206 pounds. He's a full-throttle offensive weapon, dangerous as both a runner and a receiver. He even offers some experience on special teams. Fresh legs are always welcome. The trick is finding his way to the roster.

OL ( 4) - Keagan Trost (drafted) | Austin Blaske (UDFA) | Bryce Henderson (UDFA) | Chad Linberg (UDFA)

The sense of offensive line depth has certainly been addressed with this rookie class. Offensive tackle Keagan Trost is a true gem of the draft, with the pedigree to earn a starting role as early as 2027. But the versatility of Austin Blaske, the dependable production of Chad Linberg, and the burly blocking of Bryce Henderson make this a fun group to monitor.

This team faces four starting offensive linemen on expiring contracts. So some of the 2027 starters may spring from this group. And they are all capable of stepping up. Stay tuned.

Defensive rookies (12)

DL (4) - Tim Keenan (drafted) | Jalen Logan-Redding (UDFA) | Jaxson Moi (UDFA) | Payton Zdroik (UDFA)

The fact that the lone drafted rookie is nose tackle Tim Keenan III, a pure Poona Ford padaway, speaks volumes. But once more, the team loved Jalen Logan-Redding's versatility, the promising punishment of Jaxson Moi, and the perfect production of Payton Zdroik are impossible to ignore. Even as that 2023 rookie class readies for NFL extensions, the front office shrewdly added solid depth for training camp.

OLB (3) - Wesley Bailey (UDFA) | Darryl Peterson III (UDFA) | Eddie Walls III (UDFA)

The pass rush in 2025 seemed to fade, making the influx of fresh punishers coming off the edge one of the most exciting positional groups for training camp competition. On a defense that would love four to five stable pass rushers, the team could have up to two roster spots up for grabs.

LA heavily scouted Darryl Peterson, meeting with him multiple times before the draft, and ultimately signed the productive Badger after the draft. The team also returned to Byron Young's alma mater to scoop up a very promising pass rusher in Wesley Bailey. But all draft eyes are on Houston pass rusher Eddie Walls III, who was one of the sleeper gems of this draft.

With the team struggling to find funds to extend outside linebacker Byron Young, don't be shocked if two edge rushers pry their way to the practice squad.

ILB (1) - Nikhai Hill-Green (UDFA)

Another player from Alabama, Nikhai Hill-Green, may become that pass-defending backer this defense needs in 2026. With a college career that spanned Michigan, Charlotte, and finally Alabama, Hill-Green was both a run-stuffing thumper as well as a pass-defending nightmare over the middle. He not only hauled in two interceptions but also deflected 11 passes over five college football seasons.

He gave a pre-draft interview that offers plenty of insight, and fans will love his passion and motivation. Best of all, he arrives at an LA position that has an opportunity for the right player.

CBs (3) - Nyzier Fourqurean (UDFA) | Al’zillion Hamilton (UDFA) | Drey Norwood (UDFA)

Despite not drafting cornerbacks, the team certainly addressed the position after the draft will three signings. And all three are different enough to fill a different role in the secondary if needed. Hamilton is the pure ball hawk, and is the type of secondary surprise that will announce himself to opposing offenses quickly.,

Conversely, Fourqurean is a big-body thumper, the type that receivers remember after that first tackle. Finally, Norwood is a technical master. While he does not stand out in any single aspect of the position, he does everything well enough to earn the trust of the coaches.

S (1) - Nick Andersen (UDFA)

While only 5-foot-11 and 197 pounds, safety Nick Andersen continues the tradition of highly productive defensive backs. And his numbers back it up, as he averaged 114 tackles, four tackles for a loss, four pass deflections, and an interception in each of his last two seasons at Wake Forest.

It won't be easy for any rookie to earn a roster spot on a team that competed in the NFC Championship Game last season, but a quick survey shows plenty of promise from this group. And with nearly two dozen expiring contracts at season's end, the coaches have to make room now to be ready for what could prove to be a mass exodus at season's end.

As always, thanks for reading.

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