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By: Steve Rebeiro | 10 hours ago
Two rookies were the talk of the town amongst Rams fans after the team’s preseason game versus the Cowboys: ILB Dakota Allen and WR Nsimba Webster.
Allen has been a fan favorite since his stint on the Netflix series “Last Chance U.” He essentially locked up a roster spot on Saturday due to Micah Kiser’s injury and his stellar play this preseason. Fans were looking for him to emerge this preseason as a breakout rookie.
The same cannot be said for Webster. An undrafted rookie out of Eastern Washington, the most notable thing about Webster heading into the preseason was that he played with Cooper Kupp in college. He put up monster numbers his senior season, but that doesn’t change the fact that he was an undersized receiver who played against sub-par opponents at an FCS university.
Now, many are speculating that Webster has a legitimate chance of overtaking JoJo Natson as the team’s final wide receiver and return specialist. He could be the latest UDFA to make the Rams’ 53-man roster; at least one has made the team each year since 2015.
In the return game, Webster proved more than serviceable, while Natson hurt his stock by muffing a punt and being unable to recover the fumble. On the offensive side of the ball, Natson may have grabbed the team’s first touchdown of the preseason, but Webster outshined him by leading the team in receptions and piling up 38 yards. His highlight-reel moment came when he was on the receiving end of a spectacular rollout from Brandon Allen.
It would be a shock if Webster made the team on his receiving alone. Even though he has looked good this preseason, he won’t steal a roster spot from Mike Thomas or KhaDarel Hodge with his receiving ability. His opportunity will be to snatch Natson’s job, and the fact that he’s already a much better receiver than Natson is a step in the right direction.
Many were surprised when the Rams chose Natson as the team’s return specialist over 2017 All-Pro Pharoh Cooper. Fan animosity towards Natson has only grown since. He simply hasn’t stood out in the return game. Combine that with his fumble last week and the promise of Webster, and we’ve basically strapped a rocket onto the anti-Natson bandwagon.
Natson and Webster split return duties Alex Bachman and Austin Proehl last week. Expect that battle to tighten up to Natson versus Webster for the team’s final two preseason games. This has unsurprisingly emerged as a position battle to watch as the preseason inches towards the finish line.
Nsimba Webster could be latest UDFA to make Rams' 53-man roster
Undrafted free agent Nsimba Webster became a fan favorite last weekend. Can he really take JoJo Natson’s spot on the Los Angeles Rams?
theramswire.usatoday.com
