The Los Angeles Rams have made strategic additions to their defensive line, bringing in a drafted player and three undrafted free agents. This influx of talent aims to deepen the team's rotation and provide competition for existing players, despite the entire defensive line roster from the previous season returning. These new prospects, each with their unique skill sets and challenges, will vie for coveted spots in a crowded defensive unit.
The Rams' defensive line, which saw a deep rotation last season with six players, is set to be even more competitive. Only Kobie Turner played over 50 percent of the snaps, while Poona Ford, Braden Fiske, and Tyler Davis each played between 40 and 50 percent. Rookie Ty Hamilton and veteran Larrell Murchison also contributed with over 125 snaps each. This established depth means the new recruits will need to make a significant impact to secure a place.
Among the undrafted free agents is Payton Zdroik from Air Force. Standing at 6' and weighing 276 lbs, Zdroik played five seasons with the Falcons, making 36 starts in 55 games. He recorded 116 tackles, including 29 for loss, and 14 sacks. Despite being undersized for an interior lineman, Zdroik possesses impressive athleticism, boasting a 9.26 RAS score, strong upper body strength with 31 bench reps, and good speed (4.78 in the forty-yard dash). His low center of gravity and quickness make him a potential gap penetrator, but his lack of size could be a challenge against the run. Scouts have noted his fluid movement, suggesting he might also be considered for special teams.
Another addition is Jalen Logan-Redding from Minnesota, measuring 6'3" and 285 lbs. He spent six seasons with Minnesota, starting for four and playing in 58 games. His collegiate stats include 89 tackles, 10.5 for loss, four sacks, and eight passes defensed. Logan-Redding's athleticism, however, does not fully align with his modest size. While he has long arms (33 1/4") and large hands (9 3/8"), his speed and explosion numbers are average. He plays with consistent effort and can maintain gap integrity, especially as a defensive end, but he lacks the power and agility for effective pass rushing, often acting more as a blocker to free up teammates.
The third undrafted free agent is Jaxson Moi from Tennessee, at 6'2" and 292 lbs. Moi began his college career at Stanford for two seasons before transferring to Tennessee, where he played for two more. Over four seasons, he accumulated 64 tackles, 12 for loss, four sacks, and 10 pass breakups. Similar to Logan-Redding, Moi is an undersized interior prospect whose athletic testing falls below NFL standards. He exhibits a stocky frame with natural low leverage, making him more effective as a run stopper than a pass rusher. His effort is commendable, and he excels at disrupting passing lanes with good timing and hand-eye coordination, though he struggles with double teams and lacks explosive power.
Considering the strong existing lineup, the prospects for these three undrafted players to secure a roster spot appear challenging. While they embody the Rams' preference for smaller, versatile defensive linemen with good hand techniques, they collectively lack the lower body strength needed to anchor the interior, with only Zdroik demonstrating exceptional quickness and agility. Their attributes suggest they might serve primarily as "camp bodies" to provide depth and competition during training, similar to how Keir Thomas, a former undrafted free agent with a more impressive collegiate record, navigated between the active roster and practice squad in 2022. The battle for positions on the Rams' defensive line will be intense, demanding exceptional performance from these newcomers.
