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https://theramswire.usatoday.com/20...m_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=pos1headline
The Alliance of American Football shut down football operations this week, ending what was a short run as a potential developmental league for the NFL. As of Thursday, players from the AAF are eligible to sign with NFL teams, which has already begun with the Chiefs, Panthers and Broncos adding players from the defunct league.
Should the Rams explore signing anyone from the AAF? They don’t have any glaring holes on the roster and with spots to fill, it wouldn’t be the worst idea to at least look at a few players as possible additions.
Here are five former AAF standouts the Rams should consider signing.
NT Mike Purcell
The Rams need a run-stuffing nose tackle and Purcell would fit the bill. Coincidentally, he was cut by Los Angeles in September 2017 before bouncing around from practice squad to practice squad, but he looked dominant in the AAF. At 6-foot-3, 328 pounds, he has the size to play nose tackle in a 3-4 defense.
He’ll be 28 years old later this month and has NFL experience, starting eight games for the 49ers from 2014-16. In the AAF, he recorded 25 pressures and 11 sacks/QB hits combined on 274 pass rushes, while he didn’t miss a single tackle, per Pro Football Focus.
He’s worth another shot for the Rams, especially given the fact that they brought him in two years ago.
OLB Jayrone Elliott
Elliott was arguably the top pass rusher in the AAF, leading the league with 7.5 sacks and a 91.9 pass-rushing grade from PFF. He played for the Packers and Cowboys between 2014 and ’17, recording four career sacks and eight quarterback hits.
He would play outside linebacker in the Rams’ scheme and certainly has the size for it, standing at 6-3, 255 pounds. His resurgence in the AAF should catch the attention of the Rams, given their lack of an outside pass rush last season. Dante Fowler Jr. and Clay Matthews shouldn’t exactly instill confidence in the coaching staff, certainly not enough to prevent them from bringing in competition.
FS Derron Smith
Smith was an intriguing prospect out of Fresno State in 2015 after putting together a tremendous collegiate career that included three first-team All-Mountain West selections. He had the top overall PFF grade of any AAF player, performing well in coverage and in run support.
He has the athleticism to play in the NFL, too, running a 4.61 40-yard dash with a 125-inch broad jump and 6.95 three-cone drill. The Bengals drafted him in the sixth round four years ago and it’s highly likely he’ll get another shot in the NFL after being waived by the Browns last August. A brief stint in the AAF could’ve been exactly what Smith needed.
OLB Damontre Moore
Moore is a former third-round pick (and bust) of the Giants out of Texas A&M, but he did spend parts of six seasons in the NFL. He never met expectations and only has 10 career sacks as a pro, but the potential is there for him to still contribute. He’s a good athlete and can be productive, as evidenced by his seven sacks and 90.8 overall grade in the AAF.
There are obviously flaws in his game and he hasn’t been able to stick with a team for more than three seasons, bouncing around from the Giants to the Dolphins, Seahawks, Cowboys and Raiders. All of those teams have tried to play Moore at defensive end in a 4-3 defense, so perhaps switching to 3-4 outside linebacker is what he needs.
ILB Terence Garvin
Garvin was excellent in coverage for Orlando, allowing a passer rating of just 45.0 when targeted. He’s a bigger linebacker, too, at 6-foot-3, 242 pounds. Garvin didn’t work out in the NFL after going undrafted in 2013, making just four starts in six years with several teams.
Still, he’s worth a look by the Rams given their vacancy at inside linebacker next to Cory Littleton – a spot that’s likely to be filled by Micah Kiser. At the very least, Garvin could contribute on special teams and be a backup linebacker, which the Rams are lacking after not re-signing Ramik Wilson (yet).
The Alliance of American Football shut down football operations this week, ending what was a short run as a potential developmental league for the NFL. As of Thursday, players from the AAF are eligible to sign with NFL teams, which has already begun with the Chiefs, Panthers and Broncos adding players from the defunct league.
Should the Rams explore signing anyone from the AAF? They don’t have any glaring holes on the roster and with spots to fill, it wouldn’t be the worst idea to at least look at a few players as possible additions.
Here are five former AAF standouts the Rams should consider signing.
NT Mike Purcell
The Rams need a run-stuffing nose tackle and Purcell would fit the bill. Coincidentally, he was cut by Los Angeles in September 2017 before bouncing around from practice squad to practice squad, but he looked dominant in the AAF. At 6-foot-3, 328 pounds, he has the size to play nose tackle in a 3-4 defense.
He’ll be 28 years old later this month and has NFL experience, starting eight games for the 49ers from 2014-16. In the AAF, he recorded 25 pressures and 11 sacks/QB hits combined on 274 pass rushes, while he didn’t miss a single tackle, per Pro Football Focus.
He’s worth another shot for the Rams, especially given the fact that they brought him in two years ago.
OLB Jayrone Elliott
Elliott was arguably the top pass rusher in the AAF, leading the league with 7.5 sacks and a 91.9 pass-rushing grade from PFF. He played for the Packers and Cowboys between 2014 and ’17, recording four career sacks and eight quarterback hits.
He would play outside linebacker in the Rams’ scheme and certainly has the size for it, standing at 6-3, 255 pounds. His resurgence in the AAF should catch the attention of the Rams, given their lack of an outside pass rush last season. Dante Fowler Jr. and Clay Matthews shouldn’t exactly instill confidence in the coaching staff, certainly not enough to prevent them from bringing in competition.
FS Derron Smith
Smith was an intriguing prospect out of Fresno State in 2015 after putting together a tremendous collegiate career that included three first-team All-Mountain West selections. He had the top overall PFF grade of any AAF player, performing well in coverage and in run support.
He has the athleticism to play in the NFL, too, running a 4.61 40-yard dash with a 125-inch broad jump and 6.95 three-cone drill. The Bengals drafted him in the sixth round four years ago and it’s highly likely he’ll get another shot in the NFL after being waived by the Browns last August. A brief stint in the AAF could’ve been exactly what Smith needed.
OLB Damontre Moore
Moore is a former third-round pick (and bust) of the Giants out of Texas A&M, but he did spend parts of six seasons in the NFL. He never met expectations and only has 10 career sacks as a pro, but the potential is there for him to still contribute. He’s a good athlete and can be productive, as evidenced by his seven sacks and 90.8 overall grade in the AAF.
There are obviously flaws in his game and he hasn’t been able to stick with a team for more than three seasons, bouncing around from the Giants to the Dolphins, Seahawks, Cowboys and Raiders. All of those teams have tried to play Moore at defensive end in a 4-3 defense, so perhaps switching to 3-4 outside linebacker is what he needs.
ILB Terence Garvin
Garvin was excellent in coverage for Orlando, allowing a passer rating of just 45.0 when targeted. He’s a bigger linebacker, too, at 6-foot-3, 242 pounds. Garvin didn’t work out in the NFL after going undrafted in 2013, making just four starts in six years with several teams.
Still, he’s worth a look by the Rams given their vacancy at inside linebacker next to Cory Littleton – a spot that’s likely to be filled by Micah Kiser. At the very least, Garvin could contribute on special teams and be a backup linebacker, which the Rams are lacking after not re-signing Ramik Wilson (yet).
