The Los Angeles Rams personnel office has been extremely active, but it has been somewhat overshadowed by the hustle and bustle of the playoff run. Additionally, L.A. is content with slight roster changes, even if big names generate potential swap scenarios all around the NFL.
Although it is unrealistic to expect any of the new hires to make a significant impact this season, several might provide assistance if the Rams qualify for the playoffs. Others might just be “one’s that got away,” developing projects that the L.A. braintrust had contemplated bringing into camp, but the majority are camp bodies. For instance, rookie center Dylan McMahon was acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles long before (9/11) Beaux Limmer demonstrated that he could handle life in the NFL pivot. Instead of exposing him to the practice squad and waiver procedure, the Rams have retained him on the active roster for growth.
Emmanuel Forbes, a former Round 1 cornerback, was added from the waiver wire in early December (12/2). Forbes should get a long look in a thin unit after he adjusts to the new defense, even though he hasn’t seen any action for L.A. yet. He is athletic, quick, and lengthy. He has the quickness to turn and run with the fastest receivers when assigned to man coverage, making him an off-man zone corner who hawks the ball. A good fit for the Rams’ plan.
Tyler Higbee, a seasoned tight end who has missed the whole 2024 season thus far due to a significant knee injury, was engaged in the other high-profile transaction. Higbee will undoubtedly be rusty following the lengthy layoff, and it’s still unclear how much he has left in the tank following a catastrophic injury at age 31. Nevertheless, the Rams could definitely use an upgrade in tight end play. The Rams placed second-year edge Nick Hampton on the Injured Reserve List (IR) due to a torn pectoral muscle, freeing up Higbee’s spot on the active roster.
Although there was one other active roster trade, the most of L.A.’s work was done at the practice squad (PS) level. KT Leveston, a rookie selected in the seventh round of the draft, had his 21-day window opened and was scheduled to return off the IR. Any day now, a decision regarding his inclusion is expected.
The Rams have recruited four new players to their practice squad in the last month: cornerback AJ Green (11/18), defensive tackle Jack Heflin (12/3), defensive lineman Kevin Strong (12/3), and edge Rashad Weaver (12/17).
The most intriguing is Weaver. The 2021 Round 4 selection has the length, power-game element, and fiery drive to succeed in a backup/rotational role, despite lacking the athleticism and bend to be of starting grade. His play time has slowly decreased after 2022, when he showed some of that potential with 5.5 sacks, 15 quarterback hits, and six passes defended in 648 defensive snaps. Weaver’s impressive Senior Bowl performance is noteworthy.
Green signed as an undrafted free agent in 2020 and spent four seasons with the Cleveland Browns before being cut. Green participated in Senior Bowl as well. During a 2021–22 run, he received 317 defensive snaps and played the most of his time on the Brownies PS. Green is a zone coverage player and willing tackler, although he is not particularly athletic.
It would seem that the defensive tackles are camp bodies. After signing undrafted in 2019, L.A. is street free agent Strong’s (6’4″, 290 lb.) fourth stop in six years. He recorded 772 repetitions, 69 tackles, five for loss, and 2.5 sacks in 2022 and 2023. Despite having four teams in three years and being another undrafted vagrant, Heflin does contribute some size (6′ 4″, 319 lbs.) and block eating qualities. His career total is 57 snaps.
Anything worth keeping?
The defensive tackles Kevin Strong and Jack Heflin, as well as cornerback AJ Green, can be held to few, if any, standards because there isn’t much to support their claims. Weaver possesses the strength to establish an edge, but he is restricted, therefore he could compete with Brennan Jackson at edge #4. Although KT Leveston’s performance for the remainder of this season is uncertain, he plays, is large, and is versatile in terms of G/T.
best when going downhill. Tyler Higbee may provide Matthew Stafford and the Rams offense with a checkdown security blanket and blocker once he is reacclimated. Last but not least, signing Emmanuel Forbes is a low risk/high payoff strategy. His qualities undoubtedly fit the Rams’ plan.
I believe it’s reasonable to assume that Forbes and Higbee will both have an impact on the Rams stretch drive. Who knows, maybe we’ll see you in the playoffs.
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