MUST READ: The Rams’ 2024 roster will include one undrafted free agent.
With the 2024 NFL Draft already well underway, it’s time for organizations such as the Los Angeles Rams to begin assembling their 53-man roster.
The free agency period and the 2024 NFL Draft have occupied the offseason, much like they have for most clubs. But the Rams got off to a somewhat behind schedule when future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald declared his retirement. That may have slightly altered the Rams’ draft strategy.
Regarding the draft, the Rams selected in the first round, something they haven’t done in the whole Sean McVay tenure. The Rams had ten total selections, including the first-round selection of Florida State edge rusher Jared Verse. However, they did manage to add 16 more undrafted free agents to the roster following the draft.
According to the Rams’ X account, these are all 16 undrafted free agents that the organization signed:
Sam Wiglusz, WR, Ohio
Tuli Letuligasenoa, DL, Washington
David Olajiga, DL, Central Missouri
Jaylen McCollough, DB, Tennessee
JJ Laap, WR, Cortland
Cam Lampkin, DB, Washington State
Neal Johnson, TE, Louisiana
Blake Larson, OL, Augustana
Drake Stoops, WR, Oklahoma
Josh Wallace, DB, Michigan
Omar Speights, LB, LSU
Justin Dedich, OL, USC
Anthony Goodlow, DE, Oklahoma State
Kenny Logan Jr., DB, Kansas
Elias Neal, LB, Marshall
Charles Woods, DB, SMU
These 16 players, who have all temporarily agreed to terms with the team, have an opportunity to establish themselves and gain a second opportunity to join the Rams’ squad and start their professional careers. All of these undrafted free agents will be trying to be on the team when the 2024 NFL season begins in early September, but it will be a difficult road to make the 53-man roster.
Among the 16 undrafted free agents that the Rams selected, a couple stand out as potential additions to the team. Omar Speights, a linebacker for LSU football, would likely be our choice to be added to the 53-man roster on the final Tuesday before the regular season kicks off.
LSU’s Omar Speights has the best chance to make the Rams’ 53-man roster
In 2024, the Rams will be making some changes to their linebacker group. Keir Thomas and Nick Hampton are their outside linebackers, but Ernest Jones is much on his own when it comes to interior linebackers. In just his second season in the league, the former Gamecock should continue to develop. However, it’s obvious that this role needs more clarification. Omar Speights makes perfect sense to make the final 53-man roster for this reason alone.
Speights brings a wealth of experience to the Rams from his time at Oregon State in the Pac-12 and his final season at LSU in the SEC. Over his career, he participated in 55 games, the majority of which he began.
Speights is regarded as a formidable tackler. He finished second on the team in Corvallis as a freshman with 73 tackles, including 7.5 for a loss. In three games that season, he also recorded double-digit tackles and an interception. According to On3, those results were sufficient to make him a Freshman All-American. Throughout his collegiate career, Speights has accumulated 374 tackles, 25 for a loss, five sacks, and three interceptions.
Had Speights not taken a step back during his final season at LSU, he might have been selected in the draft. In 2023, he was assigned to one of the nation’s weakest defense groups. Not a single tackle for a loss or sack was recorded by him. Nonetheless, it’s clear that the Rams think Speights could be a hidden gem. He accepted a $9,000 signing bonus from them.
