L.A has made a handful of roster moves in December
Somewhat lost in all of the playoff stretch bustle, the Los Angeles Rams personnel office has been continually busy. And while marquee names create possible exchange scenarios abound around the NFL, L.A. seems satisfied with minor adjustments to their roster.
In reality, while none of the signings should realistically be expected to really move the needle this year, a few could add support should the Rams make the playoffs. Most are camp bodies, but others may simply be “one’s that got away,” developmental projects that the L.A. braintrust once considered bringing into camp. For example, long before (9/11) Beaux Limmer showed he could handle life in the NFL pivot, rookie center Dylan McMahon was poached from the Philadelphia Eagles. The Rams have kept him on the active roster for development rather than expose him to the waiver process and practice squad.
Former Round 1 corner Emmanuel Forbes was an early December (12/2) addition from the waiver wire. Although he has yet to see any action for L.A., once he gets acclimated to the new defense, Forbes should get a long look in a thin unit. He’s long, fast, and athletic. His draft profile is that of a ball-hawking, off-man, zone corner with the speed to turn and run with the fastest receivers when tasked in man coverage. A nice fit into the Rams scheme.
Emmanuel Forbes draws a lot of criticism for his small stature
But he’s NOT afraid to stick his nose in there and make a play. pic.twitter.com/pevmBJH2N2
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) August 22, 2023
The other big name move involved Tyler Higbee, the veteran tight end who has missed all of the 2024 season to this point rehabbing a serious knee injury. While the Rams could certainly use an upgrade in tight end play, Higbee will, no doubt, be rusty after the long layoff and the question remains of how much does he have left in the tank after a serious injury at age 31. Higbee’s room on the active roster was opened up by the Rams placing second-year edge Nick Hampton on the Injured Reserve List (IR) with a torn pectoral muscle.
It was at the practice squad (PS) level where L.A, did most of its work, but there was one other active roster transaction. Rookie Round 7 draft pick KT Leveston was designated to return from the IR and had his 21-day window opened. A decision on his addition is due any day.
In the past month, the Rams have added four new faces to the practice squad, edge Rashad Weaver 12/17, defensive tackle Jack Heflin (12/3), defensive tackle Kevin Strong (12/3), and cornerback AJ Green (11/18).
Weaver is the most interesting. Although the 2021 Round 4 pick lacks the athleticism and bend to be of starting grade, he does have the length, a power-game element, and hot motor to win in a backup/rotational role. Back in 2022, he flashed some of that potential with 5.5 sacks, 15 QB hits, and six passes defended in 648 defensive snaps, but his play time has went down steadily since. Of interesting note, Weaver had a strong Senior Bowl showing.
Before being released, Green has four seasons with the Cleveland Browns under his belt after signing as an undrafted free agent in 2020. Green was also a Senior Bowl participant. Saw most of his action on the Brownies PS and got 317 defensive snaps during a 2021-22 run. Not athletically gifted, Green’s rep is as a zone coverage player and willing tackler.
The defensive tackles would appear to be camp bodies. L.A. is street free agent Strong’s (6’4” 290 lb.) fourth stop in six years after signing undrafted in 2019. In 2022 and 2023, he logged 772 reps with 69 tackles, five for loss, and 2.5 sacks. Heflin is another undrafted vagabond, four teams in three years, but does bring some size (6’ 4” 319lb.) and block eater traits. He has 57 snaps on his career.
Anything worth keeping?
Few, if any, expectations can be laid on the defensive tackles, Kevin Strong and Jack Heflin, or cornerback AJ Green, there’s just not much there to build a case on. But Weaver could offer competition for Brennan Jackson at edge#4, he’s limited, but has the strength to set an edge. While the rest of this season is an unknown for KT Leveston, he has size, G/T versatility, and plays best downhill. Once Tyler Higbee gets re-acclimated, he could offer a checkdown security blanket and blocker for Matthew Stafford and the Rams offense. Finally, Emmanuel Forbes is a low risk/high reward type signing. His traits certainly fit into the Rams scheme.
I think it’s fair to project that Higbee and Forbes will both have a role and effect on the Rams stretch drive. And who knows, on into the playoffs.
