WR Brennan Pressley and 4 other UDFAs facing longest odds of making Rams roster

DL Bill Norton

While not heavily scouted for the 2025 NFL Draft, it's impossible to look at the height and weight of former Texas rookie defensive lineman Bill Norton and not hope for good fortune at Rams Training Camp for the young man. Standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 335 pounds, he is a huge mountain of a defender who seems to run in the opposite direction of what the Rams have stockpiled for the defensive line. While many Rams defenders are smaller, Norton takes the DL range in the opposite direction, both in height and weight.

But can he play?

Well, he arrives in the NFL at a mature age of 24, much like many of the Rams collegiate free agent signings. He played four seasons with the Georgia Bulldogs before adding a season with the Arizona Wildcats and another season with the Texas Longhorns. He put up 46 tackles, five tackles for a loss, three pass deflections, and 1.0 quarterback sack

The key is unlocking all of that power and potential, even if in a niche role in this defense. Of course, Norton has to deliver. And getting him into the running will mean putting on his very best football play to do so. But if he shows any positive contributions on the football field, he will get noticed. If nothing else, standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 335 pounds will ensure he is seen by the coaches throughout camp and the preseason.

WR Brennan Presley

While the Rams did not draft a wide receiver, the team did tap three collegiate free agent wide receivers after the draft, and one of the more notable receivers of the group is former Oklahoma rookie wide receiver Brennan Presley. While not as swift as veteran WR Britain Covey, Presley is a small and quick wide receiver who could prove to be a solid contributor for the team this season.

And much like Covey, he could offer up a huge upgrade to the Rams special teams, if nothing more than as a bona fide understudy to Covey's role as a return specialist this season. It's common for NFL teams to target specific special team niche roles, and the Rams certainly smashed it out of the ballpark by landing Presley. Not only is he one of Oklahoma's most accomplished wide receivers, but he was a five-year starting kick returner and punt returner for the Sooners as well.

There is a lot to love about Presley, despite a height of 5-foot-8 and a weight of 174 pounds. He runs precise routes, possesses soft velcro-like hands, exudes a strong locker room presence, and is incredibly versatile and productive. He once boasted a consecutive streak of multiple catches over 30 games. So, how was he not drafted? Well, it all comes back to the bias against smaller WRs and the concerns for a small wide receiver's durability in a more physical professional football setting.

Presley instantly competes for Xavier Smith's role in this offense as both are small and swift, with sensational hands. Much like how the Rams have learned to deploy Smith, Presley is a unique combination of offensive skills that can prove to be quite effective if used the right way. WR Coach Eric Yarber is one of the best wide receiver coaches in the NFL, which means a bright future for Presley.