:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/54898773/usa_today_9555737.0.jpg)
It’s that time of year where roster moves are happening with greater frequency. As teams look to fill holes during Organized Team Activities (OTAs), they must also make decisions about other players who might not be making the cut. The Los Angeles Rams have made a quartet of moves, the team announced on Monday.
Waived: OL Kwayde Miller — San Diego State
Left Team: DB Dravious Wright — North Carolina State
Signed: DT Omarius Bryant — Western Kentucky; DT A.J. Jefferson — Mississippi State
Per the Rams press release:
Bryant (6-3, 315 lbs.) joins the Rams in advance of the first of 10 OTAs as part of the offseason program. The Byram, Miss. native, originally signed as a college free agent with the Baltimore Ravens before being released shortly thereafter. In two seasons at Western Kentucky, Bryant totaled 67 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks in 27 games played. The former Hilltopper attended Southwest Mississippi Community College prior to enrolling at WKU, where he was an All-MACJC 1st Team All-South Selection after leading the Bears in tackles as a sophomore with 86 total tackles from his interior line position.
Jefferson (6-3, 280 lbs.) is the most recent addition to the Los Angeles Rams defensive front. The Mississippi State product played in 50 games with 24 starts in his time with the Bulldogs. The Summit Miss. native, ranked amongst the SEC leaders in tackles for loss during his final two collegiate seasons. In his career, Jefferson tallied 125 tackles, 35 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and four pass breakups for Mississippi State and finished his career third in MSU history in tackles for loss.
Obviously these moves are designed to bolster the interior of the line, where the Rams drafted DT Tanzel Smart and DE Ejuan Price from Pitt, an undersized defensive lineman they are hoping can learn the craft from a fellow Panther Aaron Donald. Sam Ebukam, an outside linebacker from Eastern Washington, will likely play a hybrid role on the outside in Rams defensive coordinator Wade Phillips’ scheme. The Rams also signed Connor Barwin from Philadelphia and are hoping to get a fully healthy season from Robert Quinn, who is one of the league’s better pass rushers when healthy.