2016 Rams Roster Preview: DE Eugene Sims, The Backed Up Backup

Eugene Sims was one of the flood of players that come to the St. Louis Rams from the 2010 NFL Draft class headlined by #1 overall pick Sam Bradford.

Of the 11 players in that class, only two (Sims and Rodger Saffold) remain on the Rams roster.

Now locked in on a new three-year deal, Sims' future is tied to the development of the Los Angeles Rams with a new offensive duo in Jared Goff and Todd Gurley offering the potential for a level of success Sims has never known as a pro.

Roster Battle

Sims is likely the primary reserve DE behind starters Robert Quinn and William Hayes who himself was put to a three-year deal this offseason. There is perhaps a chance for the battle behind Sims in newly-signed Quinton Coples (roster preview), second-year Matt Longacre or longshot 2016 UDFA Morgan Fox (roster preview) to close the gap on Sims if he struggles in August.

That being said, Sims' last six years grooming for the position posits him in the DE3 spot for immediate playing time should either of the Rams starters miss time due to injury.

Expectations

Sims' career has set a bar on his output. Consider his last four years:

No reason to think his 2016 shouldn't be in that mix, though perhaps not with another 40+-yard interception return...

Chances of Making Final Roster (9.5/10)

I've left the tiniest sliver of space between making him a full 100% lock only if the Rams see something new from Sims they don't like with a potential new comfort level in Coples and Longacre. If I were grading beyond half-points, I'd probably put him at a 9.75.

Sims should begin the final phase of his NFL career with his new contract, and there's reason to feel comfortable it will end up being the best fit both for Sims and for the Los Angeles Rams.