Will this player that was cut last year make Rams roster?

Can Logan Bruss earn a spot on Rams roster in 2024?

During final roster cuts last season, the Los Angeles Rams made the surprising decision to cut former third-round pick Logan Bruss. The decision itself wasn’t necessarily a surprise given Bruss’ level of play. What was surprising about the decision was that it came just one year after drafting him and making Bruss the team’s top draft pick that season.

It was the latest example of the Rams admitting a mistake and not having the ego to hold on for too long. They were able to stash Bruss on the practice squad for the season and continue developing him.

Unfortunately things just hadn’t worked out up to that point. After a major injury and failed position switches, it was time to start over. The play level from Bruss had been inconsistent and uninspiring. Out of 122 offensive linemen to play 100 snaps in the preseason last year, Bruss ranked 107th via Pro Football Focus. His 32.9 grade in pass protection ranked 116th. It is worth noting that Warren McClendon was arguably worse, but had the benefit of being a rookie.

Again, Bruss epitomized a failed process by the Rams. They reached for need at the 104th overall pick and then moved Bruss from tackle to guard. After starting at guard last year, they then moved him back to tackle to see if they could get him more comfortable. By then, it was too late.

The chances of Bruss starting on the offensive line at this point are slim to none. With that said, the hope by placing him on the practice squad and being able to continue developing in the same environment that he can get better. As general manager Les Snead said,

“I don’t want to give up on Logan yet, jacked that he wants to come back because that’s not easy. When we draft a player, release him, and probably release a player a little earlier than we would normally do, it’s a lot easier for him to say, ‘Maybe a new ecosystem, new environment’s better for me.’ He really liked what was going on here. (He) felt like this was the best place for him to have a shot of improving and getting to where he thinks he can be and where we think he can be.”

Bruss taking a positive step in his development after spending last year on the practice squad really only helps the Rams offensive line. At this point, the former Wisconsin Badger will be hoping to become a valuable versatile depth piece. Despite being a third round pick with high expectations, more depth on the offensive line is never a bad thing.

The question that Bruss will have to answer is how much did time on the practice squad actually help his development or was this always simply doomed to fail?

It really all depends on how many offensive linemen the Rams decide to keep on the roster. In the Sean McVay era, the Rams have kept between eight and ten offensive linemen. Last year they kept 10 which was also the case in 2017 and 2020. Heading into 2022, they only kept eight offensive linemen and did that in 2019 and 2018. In 2019, the Rams kept nine.

Depending on how players perform in the preseason and how other positions shake out, something in the eight to ten range seems likely. Given the depth in this group, it’s very possible that the number is 10.

Looking at the offensive line, obviously the locks will be the starting five of Alaric Jackson, Jonah Jackson, Steve Avila, Kevin Dotson, and Rob Havenstein. Behind them, it’s pretty safe to say that Joe Noteboom and Beaux Limmer are guaranteed depth as a swing tackle and center depth.

From there is where things get interesting. KT Leveston is a rookie, but as a seventh-round pick, he’s far from a lock. Warren McClendon brings depth on the right side at guard and tackle, but again, wasn’t great in the preseason last year. That’s also where Logan Bruss fits into the equation as someone who can play guard or tackle on the right side.

After those guys, long shots such as AJ Arcuri, Zach Thomas, and Mike McAllister enter the equation.

Looking at Bruss’ roster battle, he’s going to be mostly fighting against McClendon, Leveston, and Arcuri. Leveston is more of a player of the left side and may be locked into a spot as depth behind Joe Noteboom. Meanwhile McClendon and Bruss somewhat overlap in their positions. McClendon played some left and right tackle last year in the preseason. However, in Week 18 he slotted in at right tackle and in 26 snaps looked the part.

The chances of Bruss ever earning a starting position or being the heir-apparent to Rob Havenstein are slim to none at this point. For Bruss, the best case scenario is that the Rams do opt to keep 10 offensive linemen. If that happens, he likely makes the roster. In the case that they end up keeping just nine, he’ll need to outplay someone like McClendon who is a year younger and got live game experience in Week 18. There’s a slight chance that the Rams only keep eight offensive linemen and if that happens, Bruss’ odds go down significantly.

Nothing was said about Bruss during OTAs and we likely won’t see him or hear much of him until the preseason when he finally takes the field during a game. After spending a year on the practice squad, he’s become somewhat of a forgotten player on the Rams roster. He’ll have an opportunity to showcase development and any improvement in training camp and fight his way to a place on the final-53.