Although at a slow pace, the Los Angeles Rams braintrust continues to add small pieces to the 2026 roster build. Since the 1/27 official announcement of a block of 10 Reserve/Futures contract signees, L.A. has made six more additions.
Wednesday, the Rams announced the re-signing of veteran tackle David Quessenberry to a one-year deal. In the last three weeks, they have also inked five other players to Reserve/ Futures contracts, cornerback Alex Johnson, safety Nate Valcarcel, wide receiver Mario Williams, guard/center Wyatt Bowles, and running back Jordan Waters. Quessenberry spent 2025 on the L.A. active roster as a backup, while the other five all did stints on the practice squad. The signings bring the Rams current roster up to 53 contracted players.
Re-introducing the new additions.
Tackle David Quessenberry
Earlier this week, I opined on filling out the Rams offensive line with one of the possibilities being to follow last years strategy of signing an inexpensive retread like Quessenberry or DJ Humphries. Well the Rams decided to do just that. With this addition, I would not expect the Rams to be a player in the free agent market for one of the upper tier tackles. If they do add another veteran, expect the supplement to be a similar retread. Hopefully they will also use the draft to pinpoint a talented swing lineman.
Quessenberry will turn 36 in camp and is quite the journeyman with previous stops in Houston, Tennessee, Buffalo, and Minnesota. Last year, he had 18 offensive and 73 special teams snaps in L.A.
Safety Nate Valcarcel
Former cornerback converted to free safety and thrived. Although not an elite athletic specimen, Valcarcel flys around the football field using instincts and a hot motor. A shade under 6’ and 194 lb. at the Northern Illinois Pro Day, he shows average speed, but very good change of direction and agility.
“…plus ball-hawking and pursuit and has made steady upward progress in his college career. He offers some good film vs. better competition than the MAC generally provides… a pro strength/conditioning program would bring him up to the 200 lb. standard. His special teams background and “full tilt boogie” play style could go a long way in finding a roster spot and contributing while he learns the pro game.“
Guard/center Wyatt Bowles
2025 undrafted free agent. Brings a roughhouse element with his game and is sneakily athletic, earning reps as a tight end in college. Bowles delivered a strong preseason performance as a Rams rookie, showing at both guard and center. An older prospect at 26, it will be interesting to see if he has improved enough to challenge for a roster spot.
Played his college ball at Utah State, beginning back in 2018. Had to endure a redshirt, a medical redshirt, the COVID19 year, and two seasons in special teams service before breaking through for starting offensive line reps.
Wide Receiver Mario Williams
Signed by L.A. as an undrafted free agent in 2025 and released with an injury designation and settlement just before camp broke. Caught a preseason touchdown pass vs the Chargers. At 5’9 170 lb., Williams will be one of four “little guy” receivers trying take the Tutu Atwell role.
Four-star prospect with college stops at Oklahoma and USC, before finishing up at Tulane. Creates separation with lightening quick feet and moves with good route-running chops. Good hands and open-field runner. Strangely, not much return game in his past.
Running back Jordan Waters
The Rams inked Waters undrafted out of North Carolina State in 2025 and let him go in final cuts. At 6’ 224 lb., he brings a “big back” presence to the L.A. running back room. Has a well put together frame with very good overall athleticism (8.63 RAS). Had 10 carries for 63 yards in 2025 preseason.
Recruited as a three-star quarterback/receiver. Waters originally signed with Duke and played five seasons, before moving on to North Carolina State. Accumulated 428 carries for 2160 yards rushing, along with 47 catches for 410 yards and 29 total touchdowns. Looks faster on film than he timed, more like 200 or 400 meters speed.
Cornerback Alex Johnson
25 year-old was signed by the New York Giants after going undrafted in 2024. Released in final cuts and cups of coffee with the Indianapolis Cots and Tennessee Titans. The Rams signed him to the practice squad as a street free agent in November ’25 and now bring him back on a Reserve/Futures deal.
Out of UCLA, Johnson’s a versatile zone coverage player who has primarily played off the slot. At a shade under 6’ 1 and weighting 185 lb., he shows very good length (32”) and speed (4.44) along with quickness and short-area agility. Would seem to be a good candidate for special teams work.
Any roster help in this group?
While there are many of us fans who would like to see an upgrade in backup talent, Sean McVay values experience and system understanding, so the re-signing of David Quessenberry hints that the Rams are confident in how offensive line is shaped. Bringing back Justin Dedich, and I think they will, would add further support to that theory. Add Beaux Limmer as a third ingredient and you are left with one, maybe two roster spots to be filled.
The other five seem to be in the camp body category, but I do really like the potential of Garrett Bowles and Nate Valcarcel. Although they were only preseason games, Bowles looked like he could handle himself last year. But he returns to the same interior line numbers dilemma. Valcarcel’s play style appears that it could be applied to NFL special teams and offers a true free safety change of pace.
The remaining three all have one thing in common, they must find a way to increase their value on special teams. Mario Williams is a fiesty receiver with innate talent, but size may hold him back. It’s long odds that Jordan Waters is going to get running back reps behind Kyren Williams, Blake Corum, and Jarquez Hunter. I don’t know much about Alex Johnson, but his draft profile claims he not an aggressive tackler in run support and not strong in man coverage. While that may be in keeping with recent Rams corner play, it doesn’t inspire much confidence.
How do you assess these early Rams roster additions?
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