The Los Angeles Rams have announced the signing of seven undrafted free agents (UDFAs).
While the announcement doesn’t speak to all the UDFAs that were linked to the Rams in the aftermath of the 2018 NFL Draft, it’s the first set of confirmed signings we have to work off of.
Southeastern University Fire WR LaQuvionte Gonzalez
Gonzalez didn’t follow the path that many expected when he came out of high school in 2013. LQG was part of a really strong recruiting class at Texas A&M in 2013 led by WR Ricky Seals-Jones who happens to be Rams legend RB Eric Dickerson’s cousin who is currently a tight end with the Arizona Cardinals. Gonzalez transferred to Kansas in 2016 before finishing his collegiate career at Southeastern.
He’s got plenty of athleticism, but is well undersized. He’s in the mold of Rams WR Pharoh Cooper and is going to have to work to earn special teams looks for a chance at a contract after cuts.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets WR Ricky Jeune
Jeune offers the opposite of Gonzalez, a big framed-wideout who uses his frame to open windows for passers. He was a reliable consistent option in Atlanta without ever really breaking through on GT Head Coach Paul Johnson’s wacky triple option offense.
San Jose State Spartans G Jeremiah Kolone
Kolone first broke out as a redshirt sophomore in 2015, but a major undisclosed lower body injury this last year is the major flag here. If he’s healthy, he’ll be an interesting one to watch over the summer.
Southern Miss Golden Eagles CB Curtis Mikell
What Mikell lacks in size he makes up for in fight. He arrived in Hattiesburg as an undersized receiver, but he leaves as an unpolished cornerback with a ton to offer the Rams’ 90-man roster. He’s likely only in the mix on special teams, but he’ll be worth keeping tabs on.
As far as I understand, there’s no relation here to former St. Louis Rams S Quintin Mikell.
Weber St. Wildcats DT McKay Murphy
Murphy spent his redshirt freshman season in 2013 with the Utah Utes before transferring to Weber St. The move paid dividends initially in 2014, but 2015 went off the track as Murphy tore his ACL in the spring. The last two seasons suggest the knee’s fine, but the lack of competition may offer a steep learning curve at this level.
USC Trojans WR Steven Mitchell
Mitchell never quite broke through at USC. He seemed on track to do so in 2016 before a left knee injury (reminiscent of the one he suffered as a freshman in 2013 to his right knee) against Arizona ended his season. He’s got obvious upside to offer as a smaller, intermediate option, but the WR room is pretty crowded as is. He might be limited to teams assuming his knees hold up.
Indiana Hoosiers LB Tegray Scales
Scales wasn’t a huge recruit in 2014, though he did get offers from programs like Oklahoma and West Virginia. And while he contributed in a major way in rotation as a true freshman and sophomore, it was his junior season in 2016 that put him on the map for which he was named Second Team All-Big Ten by the media and Third Team by conference coaches. He got on to the first team conference list for 2017, but it was his breakout year that confirmed his talent.
He’s the likeliest of the UDFA group to compete at his position beyond just special teams contributions.