Just because a player is drafted doesn’t mean he’s going to make the team as a rookie. That’s especially true of late-round picks taken on the final day of the draft.
Earnest Brown IV is an example of that. The fifth-round rookie is the Rams’ only draft pick who did not make the 53-man roster, a somewhat surprising decision by the team. However, Brown didn’t make many standout plays in the preseason and the Rams are deep along the defensive line.
The Rams’ three seventh-round picks – Jake Funk, Ben Skowronek and Chris Garrett – all made the team, an accomplishment they can all feel great about.
Brown looked like someone who could replace Morgan Fox at defensive end in a pass-rushing role when he was drafted out of Northwestern, but he had a quiet camp and preseason. The Rams can still try to bring him back on the practice squad, but that will only happen if he clears waivers first.