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rom left to right: Safety John Johnson, tight end Gerald Everett and wide receiver Cooper Kupp were all drafted by the Rams in 2017. (Photo by Getty Images, Illustration by Mark Rojas/SCNG)
Rams rookie coach Sean McVay will get his first chance to work with his rookie players this weekend in Thousand Oaks.
The Rams will hold an abbreviated camp for recently drafted and signed players, with two practices on Friday and one on Saturday. It’s a chance for prospects to learn the Rams’ new systems and impress coaches in advance of training camp.
As many as 51 players are expected to participate, including the eight players the Rams drafted last month: tight end Gerald Everett, receivers Cooper Kupp and Josh Reynolds, fullback Sam Rogers, defensive lineman Tanzel Smart, linebackers Samson Ebukam and Ejuan Price and defensive back John Johnson.
Also compelling are the stories of the undrafted players who will try to earn roster or practice-squad spots in the fall, and another spot might have opened up Thursday when the Rams waived quarterback Aaron Murray, who had been expected to be third string behind Jared Goff and Sean Mannion.
The Rams are expected to have three quarterbacks in camp: Matt Davis (Southern Methodist), Bryan Scott (Occidental) and Dylan Thompson, who was in training camp with the Rams last year. Scott, a product of Palos Verdes High, participated in USC’s Pro Day in March.
Three other players with local ties are expected at camp: running back Justin Davis (USC), tight end Travis Wilson (San Clemente High, then Utah) and defensive back Ishmael Adams (Oaks Christian High, then UCLA), all of whom have joined the Rams as undrafted free agents.
The offensive linemen in camp also could make an impact, particularly Jake Eldrenkamp (Washington), Anthony McMeans (New Mexico State) and Jon Toth (Kentucky).
The Rams recently signed veteran John Sullivan to be their center, but Sullivan has a history of injury issues and the Rams have only untested center Demetrius Rhaney as a backup. Toth and McMeans were college centers, and the Rams are expected to have Eldrenkamp also work at center during camp.
After the rookie mini-camp, the Rams will return to the practice field in the last week of May for the start of the third and final phase of their offseason workouts. A veteran mini-camp will take place in mid-June.
[www.dailynews.com]