Allen2McVay
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Unbeknownst to the media the Rams did sign a DE off the free agent list. Zach VanValkenburg was an UDFA signed last year by the Raiders. He's got the look of a typical DE backup at 6'4" 263 lbs, timed at 4.88 (HH) while with the Raiders. He isn't fast, and will not overpower a defender, but he's got a good work ethic and plays with a non-stop motor. Right now he's signed as a PS player. OTAs and the draft will settle his final disposition. Probably hoped for depth behind Hoecht. Zach was productive at Iowa so there is some talent there. He might project more as an early down SAM OLB depending upon his zone defender skills.
Van Valkenburg was with the Rams last season.
He was on their Practice Squad for much of the year, and signed to a futures contract the day after the season. Like T.J. Carter and others. There is no Practice Squad right now. Just the off-season roster.
Other than their own (Shelton and Copeland), the Rams have yet to sign any free agents this off-season. They are the only team in the NFL not to have done so.