The NFL Draft doesn’t just stop once Mr. Irrelevant’s name is called (this year its Tae Crowder of the Giants). Teams still sift through the pool of available players and invite these undrafted free agents to camp. While it might not seem like a big deal, there are many instances where undrafted free agents not only make their respective teams but become key contributors. Antonio Gates, James Harrison, and Kurt Warner, for instance, all started their Hall of Fame careers as undrafted free agents. Now, those might be the best case scenarios but there are players that aren’t drafted that end up making an impact. That’s the hope anyway and in the case of the Rams, they invited 20 would be diamonds in the rough to camp and there are a few that very well could make it on the team.
LA Rams Undrafted Free Agents To Watch For
Josh Love – QB, San Jose St./Bryce Perkins – QB, Virginia
Just to be clear neither of these guys is supplanting Jared Goff for the starting job. Goff haters can still hate but unless he shows up to camp (or whatever camp looks like) 20 lbs overweight reeking of whiskey and throws up in between interceptions, he’s safe.
John Wolford is currently slated as the backup, but LA needs some competition at the position. Blake Bortles is a free agent and unlikely to return, the Rams absolutely do not have the cap space to sign fashion icon Cam Newton or Red Ryder BB Gun Andy Dalton. So Goff can’t go into the 2020 season without a viable backup and the team had bigger fish to fry in the actual draft so they didn’t take one.
The more likely undrafted free agent to make the team is Perkins who played in a bigger conference, is more mobile, and can throw it deep. Love is more of a project and while he was the Offensive Player of the Year in his conference he doesn’t have the same sort of skill set that Perkins does. It’s doubtful either becomes QB 2 but it’s possible.
Cohl Cabral – OL, Arizona State
Cabral is a likely candidate to make the team given that the Rams offensive line needs a lot of retooling and they didn’t take a lineman until Tremayne Anchrum in round seven. Anchrum is considered a steal and while he won’t be a day one starter, he could be a starter someday.
Cabral is worth taking a flier on because Brian Allen is on a one-year deal and the Rams couldn’t kick the tires on a cheap center given their oft mentioned cap issues. Is Cabral the center of the future? Perhaps, but while he’s fundamentally sound and possesses a high football IQ he doesn’t have the athleticism. But Aaron Kromer could turn him into SOMETHING. The thing about the Rams OL is they have a lot of pieces but those pieces are projects. It’s a hodgepodge of potential so bringing Cabral in wouldn’t be inconceivable.
Greg Reaves – OLB/DE, South Florida
The Rams didn’t do a whole lot to address the linebacker position in the draft which was weird given the bevy of talent available all throughout the draft. They did draft Terrell Lewis in round three and he’s very likely to be in the starting rotation. That said, the entire position group is malleable and that means there is a chance someone unexpected could breakthrough.
Reaves might not have the explosiveness but he is athletic and a solid pass rusher. Could he make the team as an undrafted free agent? Maybe, new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley wants as many options as he can get and Reaves isn’t a bad one to bring into camp.
Undrafted free agents are often overlooked but considering how often they make it onto the team they’re at least worth a look. Drafting isn’t an exact science so the more options the better. Hopefully, one of the 20 undrafted free agents the Rams bring in can help in some way this season and beyond.