Rams Bring In 17 UDFAs
The Rams are the latest team to unveil their crop of undrafted free agents. Here are the 17 UDFAs who have officially signed on with the defending Super Bowl champions:
- TE Roger Carter, Georgia State
- CB T.J. Carter, TCU
- CB Caesar Dancy-Williams, Wisconsin
- P Cameron Dicker, Texas
- IDL Elijah Garcia, Rice
- OLB Andrzej Hughes-Murray, Oregon State
- ILB Jake Hummel, Iowa State
- S Dan Isom, Washington State
- CB Duron Lowe, Liberty
- WR Lance McCutcheon, Montana State
- S Jairon McVea, Baylor
- IDL Dion Novil, North Texas
- TE Jamal Pettigrew, McNeese State
- G Jack Snyder, San Jose State
- OLB Brayden Thomas, North Dakota State
- OLB Keir Thomas, Florida State
- OLB Benton Whitley, Holy Cross
Texas’ kicker for the past four seasons, Dicker is listed as a punter despite only punting in two of those four. Dicker served as the Longhorns’ full-time punter last season but only logged eight punts prior to that senior year. Dicker averaged 46.8 yards per boot last season, earning first-team All-Big 12 acclaim. The Rams cut 10-year punter Johnny Hekker but signed Riley Dixon later this offseason.
Although the four outside linebackers in this year’s crop should not necessarily be connected to the team’s loss of Von Miller in free agency, this quartet joins a team that used one draft choice (a seventh-rounder at that) on the edge spot. Thomas, who teamed with first-rounder Jermaine Johnson at Florida State last season, used his COVID-19-enabled extra season after playing five years at South Carolina. Thomas recorded 6.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss last season. Brayden Thomas and Hughes-Murray also spent six years in college. They registered nine and six sacks as seniors, respectively.
The Rams pursued UDFA quarterbacks, per The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue, and plan to add one before camp (Twitter link). John Wolford and 2020 UDFA Bryce Perkins comprise Matthew Stafford‘s backup contingent. Jamal Pettigrew is a cousin of former Lions first-rounder Brandon Pettigrew. Jamal transferred from LSU, where he played a backup role on the Tigers’ unbeaten national championship team, to McNeese State and played 18 games — seven in the spring due to COVID adjustments — last year. Counting the draft, the Rams added six rookie cornerbacks
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/4/22
Today’s minor moves:
Carolina Panthers
- Waived: K Lirim Hajrullahu
Chicago Bears
- Claimed (from Chiefs): WR Chris Finke
Dallas Cowboys
- Waived: FB Sewo Olonilua
Houston Texans
- Signed: QB Kevin Hogan
Los Angeles Rams
- Waived: DB Antoine Brooks, RB Javian Hawkins
Washington Commanders
- Signed: WR/KR Alex Erickson
Rams To Acquire Troy Hill From Browns
The Rams are bringing back corner Troy Hill, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. They’re reacquiring him from the Browns. Los Angeles will give up a fifth-round pick in 2023, the Rams announced.
The 30-year-old Hill started his career as a Bengal in 2015, but he then spent six seasons as a Ram before signing a four-year, $24MM contract with the Browns entering last season. Hill ended up appearing in 12 games and making four starts as a Brown in 2021, but he didn’t record an interception after picking off a career-high three passes the previous year.
Hill had his greatest success as a Ram to this point, and he’ll reunite with the reigning Super Bowl champions. He’ll join Jalen Ramsey and Jordan Fuller near the top of their CB depth chart in 2022.
Minor NFL Transactions: 4/19/22
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: OL Haggai Chisom Ndubuisi
Los Angeles Rams
- Waived: C Drake Jackson
Free Agents
- Retired: OT Brad Seaton
Despite never seeing time in a regular season NFL game, Seaton stuck around around the league for five years. The Villanova product was a 2017 seventh-round pick by the Titans, and he later had two stints with the Buccaneers and a stint with the Browns. The 28-year-old opted out of the 2020 campaign, and he missed the entire 2021 season with an injury.
RFA/ERFA Tender Signings: 4/19/22
Here’s a look at the latest tender signings from around the NFL:
RFAs
Signed:
- Colts: WR Ashton Dulin
- 49ers: OL Daniel Brunskill
- Falcons: WR Olamide Zaccheaus
- Seahawks: G Phil Haynes
- Steelers: LB Marcus Allen
ERFAs
Signed:
- Commandeers: C Keith Ismael
- 49ers: WR Jauan Jennings
- Lions: S Juju Hughes, RB Godwin Igwebuike, OT Matt Nelson
- Rams: QB John Wolford
- Seahawks: WR Penny Hart, DT Bryan Mone, LB Tanner Muse, S Ryan Neal, CB John Reid, LB Jon Rhattigan, C Dakoda Shepley
Rams, WR Cooper Kupp Continue To Talk Extension
Cooper Kupp‘s next contract with the Rams could reset the market at wide receiver. While we haven’t heard much on that front this offseason, head coach Sean McVay acknowledged today that the organization has had “good dialogue” with the receiver regarding a future deal (per Stu Jackson of the team’s website on Twitter).
“Those are things that are still at the forefront of our thoughts,” McVay said in regards to extensions for Kupp and defensive lineman Aaron Donald.
Kupp also discussed a potential extension with reporters today while attending voluntary OTAs. The wideout said he’s seeking “fair” money, but he also said that he’s not “trying to beat anybody or compare myself to anybody” (per The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue on Twitter). Kupp did acknowledge the rapidly rising receiver market, saying he’s excited for his peers’ “life-changing” money (via Rodrigue).
The Super Bowl MVP has two years remaining on a contract which is set to pay him just over $14.5MM per season. We heard back in March that the front office was zeroing in on an extension with Donald and would then pivot their focus on Kupp. The 28-year-old wideout had a historic season in 2021, and he’s established himself as the top player at his position.
Tyreek Hill‘s recent deal with the Dolphins makes him the highest-paid receiver in NFL history in terms of annual salary ($30MM) and guarantees ($72.2MM). Davante Adams‘ deal with the Raiders is still the most lucrative non-QB contract in NFL history, with the wideout having the potential to earn $141.3MM. Kupp could easily double his salary while still providing the Rams with a bit of a discount.
RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 4/18/22
Here’s a look at the latest tender decisions from around the NFL:
RFAs
Signed:
- Rams: LB Travin Howard
ERFAs
Signed:
- Browns: WR Ja’Marcus Bradley, G Michael Dunn
- Chargers: T Storm Norton
- Jets: CB Javelin Guidry, S Elijah Riley, WR Jeff Smith, DE Tim Ward
- Lions: WR Tom Kennedy, TE Brock Wright
- Packers: LB Krys Barnes, TE Dominique Dafney, C Jake Hanson, T Yosh Nijman, LB Randy Ramsey; WR Malik Taylor
- Ravens: C Trystan Colon, QB Tyler Huntley, LS Nick Moore, LB Kristian Welch
NFL Coaching Notes: Rams Complete Staff, Colts Hire QC
The Rams put the finishing touches on their 2022 coaching staff, announcing the completion earlier this month. Along with many other promotions and hires that we’ve already reported on this site, the following staff changes were unveiled:
- Thad Bogardus, who served last season as the assistant linebackers coach, was promoted to outside linebackers coach. He previously spent the 2020 season as assistant defensive line coach, a promotion after serving previously as assistant defensive line/defensive quality control coach.
- Lance Schulters, who spent last season as a coaching fellow, earned a promotion to defensive assistant for the upcoming season. Schulters is a former NFL safety with 19 career interceptions to his name. He started his coaching career as a defensive assistant for the Falcons in 2020.
- Chris Shula, who oversaw linebackers last year, will now serve as pass game coordinator/defensive backs coach for Los Angeles. Shula has worked with the Rams’ linebackers in some capacity since 2017, debuting in the NFL as a defensive quality control coach in San Diego after bouncing around a few college jobs.
- Chris Beake was hired as the Rams’ new inside linebackers coach after nine seasons in Denver. After holding a variety of roles on the Broncos staff, he spent his final season there as the defensive pass game specialist.
- Kenneth Black was brought on as a coaching fellow for the Rams this season. Black spent the last two years as co-offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach for Florida A&M.
- Skyler Jones was hired as assistant defensive line coach. Jones spent seven seasons coaching at the college level, most recently in the role of defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator at Norfolk State.
- Jeremy Springer was brought on in the role of special teams assistant. Springer has been a special teams coordinator at the college football level for the last four years, spending last year at Marshall and the previous three seasons with Arizona.
The Colts also announced a hire at the end of the month from the college level:
- Brent Jackson will join the Indianapolis staff as a defensive quality control coach, according to Matt Zenitz of On3 Sports, after spending last season as Oregon’s defensive backs graduate assistant. Jackson has spent time on the staffs at Auburn, Illinois, and Louisiana, as well.
Rams Waive Kareem Orr
The Rams have waived cornerback Kareem Orr, per a club announcement. The move will free up an extra spot on their 90-man roster and give them extra flexibility heading into the draft and the subsequent undrafted free agent period. 
[RELATED: Rams’ Matt Gay Signs RFA Tender]
Orr, 25, split his college career between Arizona and Chattanooga. He broke into the league as a UDFA and spent time with the Titans in 2019 and 2020 before hooking on with the Rams last year. Orr wound up playing in two games last year and registered four tackles but didn’t impress in his Week 14 showing against the rival Cardinals.
With Orr gone, the Rams’ cornerback group consists of Jalen Ramsey, Robert Rochell, David Long, Grant Haley, and Tyler Hall. Long and Rochell are projected to start on the outside and in the slot, respectively, though this group could use some additional depth in the draft.
In other Rams news, linebacker Travin Howard has inked his $2.54MM restricted free agent tender, officially keeping him in the fold for the 2022 season. Howard, 26 in May, finished 2021 with 21 stops and one interception across 12 regular season appearances.
Eagles, 3 Other Playoff Teams Made Run At Gilmore
After discussing deals and meeting with several teams that made the playoffs in the 2021 NFL season, cornerback Stephon Gilmore ended up signing with a team that just missed the playoffs in Week 18 last season joining the Colts. Well, according to Josina Anderson of CBS Sports, the teams that pushed the hardest for the two-time All-Pro were playoff teams from last season: the Eagles, Raiders, Rams, and Bills. 
Philadelphia “made a hard play” for the ten-year veteran in their efforts to replace departing starter Steven Nelson. Nelson started alongside Darius Slay in the Eagles’ secondary last season before signing with Houston this offseason. Without Nelson, the Eagles will likely count on Avonte Maddox to take another step in his development after being a strong rotational player for the past four seasons. They may turn to the 2022 NFL Draft to address the position, but, currently sitting at 15th, they would likely miss out on the Draft’s two most exciting cornerback prospects: Cincinnati’s Ahmad Gardner and LSU’s Derek Stingley. Those two are even less likely to fall to Philadelphia with Baltimore sitting one spot in front of them wanting to add some depth to the position after spending most of last year without starters Marcus Peters and Marlon Humphrey.
Las Vegas had an impressive showing from their cornerback group last year despite losing Damon Arnette due to multiple lawsuits and behavioral issues and only seeing Trayvon Mullen play five games. The Raiders saw Casey Hayward, Nate Hobbs, and Brandon Facyson step up and contribute to a strong defense. With Hayward going to Atlanta and Facyson joining Gilmore in Indianapolis, the Raiders made addressing the cornerback position a priority. Luckily, despite missing out on Gilmore, the Raiders made strong additions acquiring Rock Ya-Sin from the Colts in exchange for Yannick Ngakoue and signing Anthony Averett, who started much of last year for the Ravens with Peters and Humphrey injured. Ya-Sin and Averett will join a hopefully full-health Mullen and Hobbs to round out a solid cornerback room.
The Rams pursued Gilmore in an attempt to replace departing starter Darious Williams after he signed with the Jaguars this offseason. Los Angeles returns star Jalen Ramsey and role players David Long and Dont’e Deayon, but they likely would’ve preferred to add another bona fide starter opposite Gilmore. Unlike the Eagles, the Rams probably won’t turn to the Draft to fill this role. They’ve made an example in the league trading draft capital for experienced veterans and won a Super Bowl doing so. Not only is it more on brand for them to seek a replacement through the trade and free agent markets, but, even if they wanted to use the Draft, they don’t have a selection in the Draft until the 104th pick.
The Bills would’ve liked to bring Gilmore back home to Buffalo after losing starter Levi Wallace to free agency. Buffalo brings back plenty of contributors from last year in Tre’Davious White, Taron Johnson, Dane Jackson, and Siran Neal, but bringing back Gilmore would’ve allowed them to slip him into the void left by Wallace without asking too much of Jackson or Neal to step up. The Bills could try to slot in another veteran free agent cornerback like Joe Haden, Kyle Fuller, or Chris Harris, or, with a later first-round pick, they could try to take a flyer on one of the Draft’s less elite corners like Washington’s Trent McDuffie or Florida’s Kaiir Elam.
The targeting of Gilmore by these playoff teams speaks to his current value in the NFL. It shows something that teams contending to win it all believe he can add value to their defense. There’s also something to be said that these teams usually have a nearly complete roster, seeking Gilmore to fill in one of their last positions of need. While Gilmore may not be able to anchor a defense by himself on a fledgling defense, he can make strong contributions when surrounded by talented teammates. In Indianapolis, he’ll team up with Kenny Moore and Facyson to lead an otherwise inexperienced group of corners.