Get to know the Rams 10 undrafted free agent signees
Los Angeles Rams
Stu Jackson
The Rams supplemented their nine-member 2021 draft class by signing 10 undrafted free agents on May 1. Here s a little bit more information about each of those 10 newcomers:
WR Landen Akers, Iowa State
Akers, 6-foot, 191 pounds, registered 38 receptions for 593 yards and one touchdown across 48 games in four seasons with the Cyclones and was an Academic All-Big 12 selection every year (Second Team 2017-19, First Team 2020).
S Paris Ford, Pittsburgh
The 6-1, 197-pound Ford produced 147 total tackles, six interceptions, 20 pass breakups and three forced fumbles while playing in 29 games (18 starts) across three seasons. Also named All-ACC twice (First Team in 2019, Second Team by Associated Press in 2020). Hailed as the Panthers most devastating hitter in at least two decades, according to his school bio.
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The Rams supplemented their nine-member 2021 draft class by signing 10 undrafted free agents on May 1. Here s a little bit more information about each of those 10 newcomers:
WR Landen Akers, Iowa State
Akers, 6-foot, 191 pounds, registered 38 receptions for 593 yards and one touchdown across 48 games in four seasons with the Cyclones and was an Academic All-Big 12 selection every year (Second Team 2017-19, First Team 2020).
S Paris Ford, Pittsburgh
The 6-1, 197-pound Ford produced 147 total tackles, six interceptions, 20 pass breakups and three forced fumbles while playing in 29 games (18 starts) across three seasons. Also named All-ACC twice (First Team in 2019, Second Team by Associated Press in 2020). Hailed as the Panthers most devastating hitter in at least two decades, according to his school bio.
Looking for potential special teams contributors in the 2021 NFL Draft
Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Every year, it’s interesting to look for possible draft picks or undrafted rookies that could be special teams contributors at the NFL level. Whether it’s to find a late developer, a prospect whose overall contributions could make them more valuable or someone who can be an elite difference-maker in this oft-overlooked area, teams often uncover some good value by targeting such players, especially late on.
In the early rounds, there will always be prospects who played well on special teams at the college level, although if the pick works out then these players are likely to be key contributors on offense or defense and therefore may not end up playing much on special teams. That’s what happened with Darrelle Revis, for example, as he was also regarded as a deadly punt returner in addition to being a shutdown corner when the Jets drafted him, but never used in that capacity