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Despite just one year of NFL experience, Los Angeles is now Troy Hill's third destination.
He was originally signed by the Cincinnati Bengals and spent most of the 2015 season there before spending roughly a week with the New England Patriots. The Rams pounced on Hill after the Patriots let him go. He has been with the team since.
Coming out of Oregon, Hill was one of Pro Football Focus' darlings grading out as one of the top cornerbacks in the class. He is not a superb athlete that can stick to receivers in man coverage, but he does have enough movement skills and awareness to be a useful zone corner.
Roster Battle
The Rams carried between four to six cornerbacks on any given week last season. Though the loss of Janoris Jenkins should theoretically open a roster spot, the return of an injured E.J. Gaines fills that void. Trumaine Johnson, Lamarcus Joyner and Marcus Roberson are all on the roster as well, all of whom were active players last season.
In addition to the four returning players, the Rams signed Coty Sensabaugh after the Tennessee Titans opted not to re-sign him. Sensabaugh puts the Rams at five cornerbacks who are likely to make the roster.
Expectations
Hill fits what the Rams do schematically. He is best as a zone corner who can keep plays in front of him, as opposed to sticking with a receiver and turning his back to the play. The problem for Hill is that he does not have any length to make up for his average athleticism. He measured in at 5'10", 182 pounds with sub-30" arms at the NFL Combine in early 2015. If he had the explosion to make up for his lack of length, he may be okay, but he simply has no way of being physical with receivers throughout the route and at the catch point.
Chances of Making Final Roster (1.5/10)
Hill is not a bad player. The Rams have a stacked cornerback roster with little room for anyone else. Hill making the roster would mean that the Rams would be carrying 6 cornerbacks at all times. Even then, Hill is competing with Michael Jordan and Jabriel Washington for the sixth cornerback spot, both of whom have been gaining steam as quality undrafted free agent signings.
Hill may find a home elsewhere, but the Rams almost certainly do not have room for him.