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An undrafted free agent in 2015, Los Angeles Rams DL Louis Trinca-Pasat looked to be on the verge of sticking around as a quality depth player on the Rams defensive line. He earned a late season call up in 2016 and was in a position to solidify his position at OTAs last season. Then he blew out a knee and missed the entire season.
Roster Battle
A year later and LTP is walking into a much more complicated situation. On top of trying to recover from an injury that could push him out of the NFL, he has to contend with new challengers along the defensive line and a scheme change to Wade Phillip’s 3-4.
The Rams drafted Tanziel Smart in the 6th round as a likely backup to Michael Brockers. On the outside (I use that term loosely) the Rams will have Dominique Easley and Aaron Donald starting with Ethan Westbrooks likely getting first crack at backup snaps. Matt Longacre’s build lends him to be an OLB in a 3-4 so that may be a saving grace for LTP.
Expectations
It’s really, really hard to expect anything of a former undrafted free agent recovering from a catastrophic knee injury.
Chances of Making Roster (1.5/10)
His build (6’1, 300) leaves him too small for a nose tackle position and he lacks the agility required to play DE in a 3-4 scheme. Under different circumstances his chances might be higher, but the deck is just too stacked against LTP in 2017.