The Los Angeles Rams have opted to waive KR/PR Jojo Natson to kickoff the offseason. The news broke on Twitter from NFL Insider, Andrew Siciliano.
Natson was a restricted free agent, and the Rams could have brought him back fairly easily. But it’s likely that Natson will play in another uniform next season. Natson didn’t live up to expectations last season, averaging a meager 7.8 yards/punt return and 22.2 yards/kick return. He eventually wound up on the IR after Week 12 with a hamstring injury.
The Rams haven’t had a ton of success recently with returners. Pharoh Cooper did have a Pro Bowl season in 2017, but was eventually replaced in favor of Natson. It has been a struggle ever since.
Nsimba Webster and Darrell Henderson took over for returns with mild success. It’s possible that the Rams could roll with them, but there are some intriguing prospects in the 2020 NFL Draft that could compete for the return specialist position.
Rams awarded third round compensatory pick
The NFL awarded the Los Angeles Rams with a third round pick (104th overall) during the 2020 NFL Draft. This is in response to the departure of OG Rodger Saffold.
This came as a bit of a surprise considering many were speculating that the Rams would receive a fourth round pick. The Rams didn’t receive anything for Lamarcus Joyner since they signed Clay Matthews last offseason.
The addition of this third round pick gives the Rams a total of six picks during the 2020 NFL Draft. Nothing is official just yet, but the picks should reflect the following after all the compensatory picks were assigned:
Second round: 52nd overall
Third round: 84th overall
Third round: 104th overall
Fourth round: 126th overall
Sixth round: 199th overall
Seventh round: 234th overall
While a third round pick may not seem significant at first glance, it does give the Rams another young talent to work with. If general manager Les Snead continues to draft well, this could work out in the Rams’ favor. This could also provide Snead with more ammunition for Draft Day trades. Snead tends to make the most with his draft capital.
Sources: Pro-football-reference.com, Twitter.com
You can follow Johnny Gomez on Twitter @Johnny5not6. Be sure to follow Rams Talk on Twitter @TalkRams.
