It is pure chaos after the NFL draft for teams as they attempt to sign undrafted rookies to contracts and the 2022 NFL draft wasn’t an exception. Once Mr. Irrelevant (Brock Purdy) was taken by the 49ers with the 262nd overall pick in this year’s draft, teams immediately began announcing signings with undrafted rookies, including the Los Angeles Rams.
Undrafted rookies sign on with teams for the opportunity to earn a roster spot and potentially carve out a role. Given the organization’s strategy of going with proven players over early-round draft picks, undrafted rookies likely have a better chance to find a role on the Rams.
With the dust now settled, Los Angeles signed a total of 17 undrafted rookies. Of the 17 undrafted rookies the Rams have brought in, which one has the best chance to earn a spot on the 53-man roster?
The easy choice is Cameron Dicker, the kicking specialist out of Texas. Instead of using one of their draft picks on a punter, the Rams went out and immediately signed Dicker as an undrafted free agent.
Following the release of longtime punter, Johnny Hekker, the Rams need a new punter. While the team signed veteran Riley Dixon in the offseason, Dicker should still have an opportunity to compete for the starting job.
Dicker spent four years at Texas, most of which was as the team’s placekicker. In his four collegiate seasons, Dicker converted 60 of his 79 field-goal attempts and he made 206 of his 210 extra-point tries.
It wouldn’t be until his senior season in 2021 when Dicker began punting full-time for the Longhorns. Despite having a limited number of punts before 2021, Dicker finished this past season with 46.8 yards per punt on 47 punts, with a long of 78 yards.
Even though Dicker spent most of his time at kicker, the Rams already have Matt Gay to handle field goals. Dixon has six years of experience at the punter position, but it remains to be seen if he’ll be able to beat out the undrafted rookie in Dicker.
Let the battle of the punters commence.