Rams sign Daniel Rickert to bolster preseason edge rotation
Daniel Rickert, a 24-year-old Virginia product, has been signed by the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted rookie pass rusher to help absorb preseason work and protect the regular rotation from exhibition snaps.
The addition was reported in coverage linked here Ramblin Fan, and it arrives as the Rams close training camp and shift preparations toward preseason games.
Key Takeaways
- The Rams added undrafted edge rusher Daniel Rickert to their preseason roster to provide depth at the position.
- The move suggests the team plans to hold at least one regular rotational edge out of preseason action to limit injury risk.
- Rickert arrived after a tryout with the Tennessee Titans and faces an uphill battle for a roster or practice-squad spot.
- As a late addition, Rickert’s immediate role will be to absorb exhibition reps and provide potential special teams value.
How Daniel Rickert reshapes the Rams preseason edge rotation
The Rams have chosen to limit preseason exposure for their established edge pieces, and Rickert’s signing helps them do that without leaving the position thin for exhibitions.
Names slated to sit out include Myles Garrett, Byron Young, and Josaiah Stewart, and Rickert’s arrival implies veteran Desjuan Johnson may also be spared preseason duty.
With those regular contributors off the field, the Rams’ preseason pass-rush group will lean on Wesley Bailey, Tomon Fox, Darryl Peterson III, Keir Thomas and Daniel Rickert for edge snaps.
What Rickert brings as a Virginia product and camp fit
Rickert tried out for the Tennessee Titans earlier this year and landed in Los Angeles as a late addition to the roster ahead of preseason games.
Showing up this late places him at a disadvantage in competing for a regular-season roster spot, but it does create an immediate role of absorbing reps during the preseason so others can be protected.
Beyond pass-rush attempts, Rickert offers special teams depth potential, which is often the primary path for late UDFAs and fringe veterans to stick on a practice squad or active roster.
Preseason positional depth comparison
| Player | Expected preseason role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wesley Bailey | Primary preseason edge snaps | Projected to take on a lead role in exhibition pass-rush work when starters are held out. |
| Tomon Fox | Preseason rotation contributor | Expected to see meaningful snaps as part of the non-starter edge group. |
| Darryl Peterson III | Preseason rotation contributor | Will compete for snaps and film that could influence roster depth decisions. |
| Keir Thomas | Preseason rotation contributor | Another rotational option likely to see regular exhibition snaps. |
| Daniel Rickert | Late-arrival preseason depth | Signed to absorb preseason reps and provide special teams or fringe defensive depth. |
| Larrell Murchison / Tyler Davis / Ty Hamilton / Tim Keenan III | Defensive line preseason group | Projected interior and line rotation supporting the edge group in exhibition games. |
Roster construction implications for college edge prospects and recruiting
Late UDFA signings like Daniel Rickert illustrate roster-construction choices that matter to college edge prospects and recruiting conversations across major conferences.
The move underscores how preseason roster management, practice-squad pathways, and special teams readiness feed into NIL discussions and recruiting pitches for SEC edge players weighing pro opportunities.
