Recent Rams draft pick may have quietly secured a roster spot as cutdowns near

The Los Angeles Rams have a bit of a roster crunch on the defensive line. Even without counting Aaron Donald's potential return, there are arguably eight players who could fight for six to seven spots. One player who has seemingly secured his place is former fifth-round pick Ty Hamilton.

After appearing in the preseason opener against the Chiefs, Hamilton sat out Game 2 versus the Saints. Meanwhile, rookie nose tackle Tim Keenan III again saw plenty of action. 

In the preseason, the Rams hold out anticipated roster members and give reps to rookies/bubble players. Keenan may still have some work to do, but Hamilton looks like a good bet for the 53-man unit despite an uncertain competition throughout training camp.

Rams have likely punched Ty Hamilton's ticket on 53-man roster

Rams fans are well aware of Hamilton's underwhelming rookie season. He didn't have all that many opportunities (only 138 snaps), but he didn't exactly make the most of them. Hamilton earned a ghastly 29.9 PFF grade in his limited reps.

After spending the 148th pick on the Ohio State product last year, however, LA probably entered camp looking for a reason to keep him aboard. The way the rotation has shaken out, Hamilton is fifth in the mix behind starters Kobie Turner, Poona Ford, and Braden Fiske and backup Tyler Davis. The latter is a roster lock after sitting both preseason games.

Competing for a spot behind Hamilton are Keenan, practice-squader Bill Norton, and veteran Larrell Murchison. Donald's return would shrink available spots further. If the Rams prioritize depth at other positions - and the defensive line is definitely not a position of need - all three of Keenan, Norton, and Murchison could be left out in the cold.

Hamilton's spot was in jeopardy as well entering the preseason. Apparently, though, the Rams saw enough in the opener, in which Hamilton notched a pair of tackles, to pencil in his name. 

Hamilton joins edge rusher Desjuan Johnson and receiver Xavier Smith as players to appear in Game 1 who sat out in Week 2. Safe to say those two have also locked up spots. 

Having likely punched his ticket to start the year, however, Hamilton will have to provide more oomph than he did as a rookie or risk being replaced by someone on the practice squad, or by Donald if the Great One delays his return into the regular season. 

As opposed to Keenan, who has a clear-cut role as a nose tackle, Hamilton can move around the defensive front. Ironically, that could work against him in the fight for playing time. If the Rams prioritize developing a true backup to Ford - Davis is also undersized for a nose -  the 6-foot-1, 327-pound Keenan would have a definite advantage over anyone else on the roster.

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