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It’s going to be extremely hard for any undrafted rookies to make the Los Angeles Rams’ 53-man roster this year, given how loaded the team is. But if there’s one player to watch leading up to final cuts, it’s edge rusher Wesley Bailey.
The 6-foot-5 outside linebacker from the University of Louisville is trying to carve out a role for himself and he seems to be doing that. He’s competing with Desjuan Johnson and Keir Thomas for what might be one of the final spots on the team at a position that already has three locks in Myles Garrett, Byron Young and Josaiah Stewart.
On Thursday, Bailey was seen getting first-team reps on defense, rushing opposite Garrett at edge rusher. The Rams have been managing their edge rushers’ workloads, giving Garrett four days off for lower body soreness and Young some extra rest as he deals with a lingering knee injury, so that could be playing into Bailey’s increased reps.
However, it’s not something that should go unnoticed. Defensive coordinator Chris Shula said after Wednesday’s practice that Bailey, Thomas and Johnson have all done “a really excellent job on the edges.”
“I thought the edges were really good today,” Shula said. “Josaiah Stewart had a really good last few days. It was good to have Myles back out there today. Keir Thomas, ‘Des’ Johnson, Wesley Bailey, those guys have done a really excellent job on the edges.”
Garrett got to Matthew Stafford first for the sack, but Bailey had a good rush against David Quessenberry on this rep.
Thomas and Johnson both got first-team reps on Thursday, too, but they're more established players, so that's less surprising than Bailey working with the starters.
What makes Bailey especially intriguing is his athletic profile. He's about 6-foot-5 and has outstanding burst off the line, as evidenced by his 1.53-second 10-yard split when running the 40-yard dash. His relative athletic score (RAS) of 9.83 is one of the highest ever by an edge rusher, ranking 40th out of 2,239 players since 1987.
It's possible the Rams uncovered a hidden gem with their undrafted rookie out of Louisville. Even if he doesn't make the 53-man roster, he could be a strong candidate for the practice squad, allowing him to keep developing behind Garrett, Young and Stewart.
And in the event that an injury inevitably occurs, Bailey could be called upon at some point this season – even if it's only as a temporary practice squad elevation.
Depth initially seemed to be a concern at outside linebacker, but with Bailey, Thomas and Johnson all in the mix, perhaps the Rams aren't as thin as expected at that position.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Undrafted rookie edge rusher could be a hidden gem for the Rams
Continue reading...
The 6-foot-5 outside linebacker from the University of Louisville is trying to carve out a role for himself and he seems to be doing that. He’s competing with Desjuan Johnson and Keir Thomas for what might be one of the final spots on the team at a position that already has three locks in Myles Garrett, Byron Young and Josaiah Stewart.
On Thursday, Bailey was seen getting first-team reps on defense, rushing opposite Garrett at edge rusher. The Rams have been managing their edge rushers’ workloads, giving Garrett four days off for lower body soreness and Young some extra rest as he deals with a lingering knee injury, so that could be playing into Bailey’s increased reps.
However, it’s not something that should go unnoticed. Defensive coordinator Chris Shula said after Wednesday’s practice that Bailey, Thomas and Johnson have all done “a really excellent job on the edges.”
“I thought the edges were really good today,” Shula said. “Josaiah Stewart had a really good last few days. It was good to have Myles back out there today. Keir Thomas, ‘Des’ Johnson, Wesley Bailey, those guys have done a really excellent job on the edges.”
Garrett got to Matthew Stafford first for the sack, but Bailey had a good rush against David Quessenberry on this rep.
Thomas and Johnson both got first-team reps on Thursday, too, but they're more established players, so that's less surprising than Bailey working with the starters.
What makes Bailey especially intriguing is his athletic profile. He's about 6-foot-5 and has outstanding burst off the line, as evidenced by his 1.53-second 10-yard split when running the 40-yard dash. His relative athletic score (RAS) of 9.83 is one of the highest ever by an edge rusher, ranking 40th out of 2,239 players since 1987.
It's possible the Rams uncovered a hidden gem with their undrafted rookie out of Louisville. Even if he doesn't make the 53-man roster, he could be a strong candidate for the practice squad, allowing him to keep developing behind Garrett, Young and Stewart.
And in the event that an injury inevitably occurs, Bailey could be called upon at some point this season – even if it's only as a temporary practice squad elevation.
Depth initially seemed to be a concern at outside linebacker, but with Bailey, Thomas and Johnson all in the mix, perhaps the Rams aren't as thin as expected at that position.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Undrafted rookie edge rusher could be a hidden gem for the Rams
Continue reading...
