As the Los Angeles Rams scramble through the 2025 NFL Free Agency market and prepare for the 2025 NFL Draft to restock the roster, some players who have fought and won the battle for roster spots with the team have fallen off the radar screen. It's not their fault, as their roles with the new Rams roster will not be decided until the team reconvenes.
Since the Rams continue to be led by Head Coach Sean McVay, the Rams will first regroup on or about April 21, 2025. That is just days before the 2025 NFL Draft takes place. This year, the three-day event is scheduled for April 24-26, 2025. And immediately after the draft ends, there will be a scramble as all 32 NFL teams work feverishly to sign undrafted collegiate free agents to round out the 90-man training camp roster.
But what of the players who made the Rams roster in 2024, but did not make much of an impact? Perhaps they were slotted into a special teams role that they were unable to break free from. Perhaps they filled a vital depth role that simply was unneeded in 2024. Whatever the case, here are 12 players who need to show up and have excellent training camps in 2025, or risk being glossed over one more time.
Do they fit the direction the team is taking in 2025? That is up for debate. But each of these players has earned the right to be in the discussion. If they are less familiar to Rams fans, then it's time to refamiliarize ourselves with these players
(12) - WR Xavier Smith
If you are excited about the Rams re-signing veteran WR Tutu Atwell for one more season, then you will be thrilled to learn that he has an understudy named Xavier Smith. Smith is a 5-foot-9, 176-pound wide receiver who found a niche on the team on special teams as a punt and kickoff returner. He is a 2023 rookie prospect out of Florida A&M who signed with the team in May 2023. He fits the category of speedy wide receiver, with a 40-yard-dash time of 4.38 seconds.
Smith has had limited roles on offense. But with the team parting ways with three key receivers, Smith stands to benefit immensely. The larger the role for Tutu Atwell in the offense in 2025, the larger the backup role for Xavier Smith. He had a great 2024 preseason, and caught both passes thrown his way in 2024. While he may not get many targets in 2025, he has the potential to be a solid rotational receiver this season.
(11) - OLB Keir Thomas
I don't think any confuses the fact that this is a make or break year for powerful outside linebacker Keir Thomas. A 2022 rookie prospect out of Florida State, Thomas stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 260 pounds. The problem is that he has been good enough to stay with the team, either on the 53-man roster or the practice squad, but not quite good enough to get a steady diet of defensive snaps. In three NFL seasons, he has appeared in 17 games, started one game, gotten 204 defensive snaps, and recorded 13 tackles, three tackles for a loss, and three quarterback hits.
He had a solid 2024 preseason. But he faded with an ultra-light workload in 2024. Can he earn a steady diet of defensive snaps in 2025? The exodus of DT/OLB Michael Hoecht certainly creates an opening to do so. It's just difficult to envision an edge rusher who seems to have plateaued already to suddenly find a new level of play. He is a passionate and powerful player. But the odds are against him.
(10) - DT Jack Heflin
Defensive tackle Jack Heflin is a 2021 rookie prospect who signed with the Green Bay Packers out of Iowa. The 6-foot-3 304-pound defensive tackle played for the Packers in 2021, the New York Giants in 2022, and the New Orleans Saints in 2023. in his previous three seasons, he played 57 defensive snaps, and recorded two tackles.
He had an impressive 2024 preseason for the Saints, recording eight tackles and 0.5 quarterback sacks. But he was released, ultimately signing with the Rams in early December 2024. He arrived too late to learn the Rams defense and earn snaps in a rotation. But with his return in 2025, he hopes to finally earn a more permanent role in the NFL.
(9) - OT KT Leveston
Kansas State offensive tackle KT Leveston was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in Round 7 of the 2024 NFL Draft. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 326 pounds, Leveston was projected to come off the board as early as Round 5. The abundance of talent at offensive line shoved many quality prospects down the board, leading to Leveston landing on the Rams roster in the final round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
He suffered an injury in preseason, and ended up on Injured Reserve throughout the 2024 NFL season. While he lost his rookie season, he returns to the team with familiarity of having competed throughout his first NFL training camp. He returns to a team that loses swing-tackle Joe Noteboom, so he also has an opportunity to dig in and earn himself a backup role with the team.
(8) - OLB Brennan Jackson
When the Rams selected Washington State outside linebacker Brennan Jackson in Round 5 of the 2024 NFL Draft, I expected Jackson to see plenty of defensive snaps last season. The Rams opted to go with a tighter three-player rotation at edge that focused on OLBs Byron Young, Jared Verse, and Michael Hoecht. With Hoecht's exodus, the floor is open for Jackson to earn a more significant role in 2025.
Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 266 pounds, Jackson is a powerhouse outside linebacker who has the power and size to slide into the defensive line as well. He only saw action for 47 defensive snaps and recorded three tackles in a limited role. It's tough to judge his ceiling in such a limited role, but his college body of work still points to Jackson earning a much larger role in this defense in 2025. He was exposed to a lot of new experiences in 2024. Perhaps he connects the dots in 2025.
(7) - DL David Olajiga
The Rams signed Central Missouri defensive tackle David Olajiga after the 2024 NFL Draft. Olajiga is a 6-foot-3 315-pound defensive lineman who appeared to be a depth player for the team's defensive front. The team must have seen something in him, as he signed a Reserve Futures contract to return in 2025.
While he didn't jump off the page in his preseason games, he did play well enough to return to the team's practice squad. Now, he gets to reload and compete for a larger role in 2025. That may happen, as the team has since parted ways with NT Bobby Brown III and Neville Gallimore. While he has not played as a nose tackle previously, he is the heaviest defensive lineman on the Rams roster, and could be a rotational option. The Rams are currently likely to have veteran Poona Ford and Tyler Davis in that role. But with changes in the Rams roster, Olajiga could become a third option.
(6) - IOL Justin Dedich
At 6-foot-2 and 300 pounds, former USC interior offensive lineman Justin Dedich was a surprising three-game starter for the Rams offensive line in 2024. What made it most shocking is the fact that the team seemed to be set between the tackles in 2024. But both Jonah Jackson and Steve Avila were injured quickly. And backup IOL Logan Bruss was simply not up to the task.
Dedich started three games for the Rams, playing 206 offensive snaps. Despite some struggles, he commited one penalty and did not surrender a quarterback sack in 2024. He had a sensational 2025 preseason, leading expectations to be that he will not only make the Rams roster in 2025, but will be a primary backup at the guard position. Best of all, he was signed to the team after the draft.
(5) - ILB Tony Fields II
Inside linebacker Tony Fields II had only known the Cleveland Browns until he was released on October 22, 2024 with an injury settlement. He signed with the Rams on October 28, 2024 to the practice squad where he remained for the rest of the season. Standing 6-foot-0 and weighing 222 pounds, he fits the physical dimensions of a hybrid LB/S.
He appeared in 45 games for the Browns, and started 10 of those games. Over four seasons, he played 526 defensive snaps. Before his injury, he was a solid contributor to the Browns defense. He is adequate in pass coverage, allowing 17 of 23 passes to find their mark, and never allowing a touchdown. He has one pass breakup, 88 tackles, one tackle for a loss, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery for a touchdown. Fields is a sure tackler, missing just 5.6 percent of his tackles in 2023.
Fields has a 'Jake Hummel' profile. That is he is on the smallish side of interior linebackers. But he brings far more experience, better pass coverage, and more overall NFL experience. Fields could be in line for a larger role in 2025.
(4) - WR Quintez Cephus
You may not even recognize veteran wide receiver Quintez Cephus as a player on the Rams roster, but it's time to learn his name. Believe it or not, Cephus caught 20 of 39 passes from former Detroit Lions veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford for 349 yards and two touchdowns. The pair has yet to connect in the Rams offense, but perhaps 2025 is the year for the pair to find a new connection?
A former Wisconsin Badger, Cephus played from 2020 through 2022 with the Detroit Lions before his release in April 2023. He competed for a roster spot with the Buffalo Bills and the Houston Texans before signing with the Rams in September 2024 to the practice squad. Cephus stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 208 pounds (very promising) and caught 37 of 60 passes for 568 yards and four touchdowns, all while playing 22 games and six starts for the Detroit Lions.
Cephus is entering his sixth season of competition in the NFL, and is turning 27 years old. If he is going to show up, this is the year he will do so. He posted a 4.56-second time in his 40-yard dash on his pro day. Of his 568 receiving yards, 184 are yards after the catch. He may not earn a rotational role in this offense. But he has NFL experience and a true history with Matthew Stafford. The Rams have another receiver aiming to contribute in 2025.
(3) - RB Cody Schrader
When the Los Angeles Rams claimed rookie running back Cody Schrader off waivers from the San Francisco 49ers, I was a bit perplexed. Cody Schrader might be a solid addition to the Rams roster, but the team is bursting with running backs at his size. Schrader stands 5-foot-8 and weighs 208 pounds. in 2024, he rushed once for three yards. He also caught one pass for six yards.
In preseason, he competed for the 49ers, and rushed 19 times for 48 yards. He did have one run for more than 10 yards, but did not score. The thing is that the Rams front office sees something unique in Schrader that I simply do not see. He is fourth on a depth chart of four running backs. Adding insult to injury, the Rams re-signed running back Ronnie Rivers to return in 2025. Rivers is third on the Rams depth chart and stands 5-foot-9 while tipping the scales at 192 pounds.
Schrader played well enough in preseason. But the Rams frequently commit to an offensive weapon who does little more than gather dust on the Rams bench. I fear that is Cody Schrader's fate unless he puts up an outstanding training camp this year.
(2) - S Jaylen McCollough
The chances for undrafted safety Jaylen McCollough to make the team in 2024 were not good. He was a safety who joined a Rams roster that already boasted veteran safeties Kamren Curl, Quentin Lake, John Johnson III, Russ Yeast, and drafted rookie safety Kamren Kinchens. But the 6-foot-0 202-pound rookie safety was not to be denied. He had a good training camp. He had an outstanding preseason.
McCollough played in 17 games, started one game, and suited up for 335 defensive snaps. With a limited role, he recorded 43 tackles, broke up four passes, and snagged four interceptions. One of the passes that he picked off ended up as a pick-six. He tied for the team lead with four interceptions with fellow rookie safety Kamren Kinchens.
He was a true surprise in 2024, a player who leveraged a limited role into a huge impact. Will he earn a larger role in 2025? Perhaps, but I hesitate projecting him ahead of either Kamren Curl or Kamren Kinchens. Ultimately, I can see him earning a significant rotational role in this defense. But don't hold me to it. I never saw him leading the team in interceptions in 2024. To be honest, I'm not sure anyone did.
(1) - CB Emmanuel Forbes
When the Rams claimed former Washington Commanders Round 1 selected CB Emmanuel Forbes off waivers, fans were excited about the addition. But like any player who is released, there is a component of unmet expectations behind the release. The hope is that by lowering expectations and adding new coaching techniques, Forbes will realize his NFL coverage potential.
I think that we can all agree that Forbes showing up as a solid pass coverage cornerback would be a huge boon for this secondary. But at 6-foot-0 and 180 pounds, the physicality needed to play cornerback in the NFL may be a high bar for Forbes to get over. In two seasons, Forbes has played in 22 games and started 8 games. He has been somewhat productive in getting 50 tackles, two tackles for a loss, 13 pass deflections, and even two interceptions. in two games, one start, and 52 defensive snaps for the Rams, Forbes managed to put up five tackles, missed 28.6 percent of his tackles, and allowed three of five passes to find their mark.
Of course, expectations have to be tampered with a player who was signed in December 2024.
Will participating in Rams training camp this season help him adapt to a more significant role in 2025? It won't hurt, as the Rams are bringing back all cornerbacks from last season, and the bar is not set overwhelmingly high this season.
If the team can set the clock for Emmanuel Forbes back to 2023, Forbes could be a long-term contributor in this defense. I'd love to see Forbes muscle up to about 200 pounds for this season, and have an excellent training camp. It may not happen, but it would certainly be a prerequisite to competing for a starting role in 2025.
As always, thanks for reading.
