Why Rams acted quickly to ink 13 players to Reserve Future contracts for 2025

(11) - WR Drake Stoops

Undrafted Oklahoma wide receiver Drake Stoops stands 5-foot-10, weighs 189 pounds, and flashed plenty of potential in the Rams offense in the 2024 preseason. He caught six of eight passes for 55 yards, which is not going to sound the Klaxon, but is respectable in a limited role. Stoops certainly has the feel of a successful Rams offensive weapon.

The Rams roster may have suffered from injuries to key starters at the wide receiver position, but the team is seldom thin at the position. Stoops learned that fact all too well, as he never cracked the roster for playing time in 2024. But he did see playing time in preseason games, and looked the part when he took the football field.

The team was satisfied with fielding veterans with experience in offense in 2024, a decision that may or may not have contributed to the team's pedestrian offensive output this season. But Stoops is 25 years old, knows the offense, and is undoubtedly preparing to compete for playing time in 2025. I believe that he has a chance of doing so.

(12) - OLB Keir Thomas

Don't view outside linebacker Keir Thomas as a player on the outside looking in when considering players competing for playing time in 2025. Thomas signed with the Rams after the 2022 NFL Draft, and he was one of the few edge rushers to survive the purge of the position during and after the 2022 season. Only OLB/DT Michael Hoecht can say the same.

Thomas has yet to claim a contributing role in this defense, but there are signs that may change in 2025. Thomas stands 6-foot-2 and tips the scale at 260 pounds, a strong size for an NFL pass rusher. Thomas did not see any action until suiting up for Week 18 with backups to face the Seattle Seahawks. In 39 defensive snaps, he recorded three tackles, and a quarterback hit. He must have made a positive impression, because he was elevated in both playoff games.

Thomas has plenty of experience at the outside linebacker position, and is currently on track to claim the senior statesman of the room if the team does not extend Michael Hoecht. That is important to factor in, as Thomas's late season surge may give the front office pause to extend Hoecht. Thomas appears to be ready for more playing time. The question is: Are the Rams ready to give him a larger role?