There's a lot to unpack from latest wave of Rams roster moves

Is Rashad Weaver a diamond-in-the-rough or just a warm body?

Former Pittsburgh rookie prospect Rashad Weaver was selected in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans in Round 4 with the 135th overall pick that year. He played three seasons with the Titans before his release and joining the Houston Texans in 2024. He was released by the Texans in November 2024, and signed by the Rams one month later. So what can fans expect?

Initially, not much. Weaver is joining the Rams practice squad at a rather late point in the season. So he is unlikely to see playing time against the New York Jets in Week 16. Is that something to be concerned about? Is he someone the Rams are counting on just in case?

Perhaps, and here's why.

Weaver is a strong and sturdy NFL outside linebacker, standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 259 pounds. While he is unlikely to reclaim his NFL status on the practice squad, he is quite likely to return to the Rams in 2025 on a Reserve/Future contract as this season ends. And his 2022 NFL season, a year in which he racked up 27 tackles, 15 QB hits, 22 quarterback pressures, and 5.5 quarterback sacks in 640 defensive snaps, jumps off the page as a solid basis for a rotational role.

If the Rams opt not to extend OLB Michael Hoecht for 2025, has the team already added his potential replacement?

Keep an eye on Weaver. While he has lost some of his luster. he had a tremendously productive sophomore season in the NFL. And I'm certain that he retains the potential to reclaim that level of performance with the right team. And while I believe that Michael Hoecht deserves to return to the Rams in 2025, the team may not see it that way. Signing Weaver now gives them some insurance to ensure that they can get Hoecht, or any pass rusher, signed to a team-friendly contract in 2025.

The Rams seem to be several jumps ahead of other NFL teams in terms of roster moves, and this latest mini-batch of changes falls in line with that trend. There is always more than meets the eye whenever Rams GM Les Snead inks someone to the roster. The trick is trying to decipher what that may mean for the team in the future.

So to answer the question posed above: Rashad Weaver could very much be a diamond-in-the-rough.

As always, thanks for reading.

More Rams News, Rumors, and Analysis