Around the league, teams are always looking for players who they can develop and turn into rotation players at some point.
The Los Angeles Rams are well-versed in this area as they have foregone first-round draft picks several years in a row to chase after established stars. This strategy has worked out well for them and while it’s easy to point to players like Jalen Ramsey and Matthew Stafford for their success, it’s been the role players they drafted on Days 2 and 3 that make it possible.
One player who looked like he could fit the mold was Chris Garrett, whom the Rams took No. 252 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. Garrett was cut this summer, but was able to land on his feet as he’s signed on to the Minnesota Vikings practice squad, via Tom Pelissero of NFL Network:
Former #Rams draft pick Chris Garrett is signing with the #Vikings practice squad, per source. A homecoming for the onetime Concordia (Minn.) standout.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 14, 2022
Garrett landing with the Vikings makes sense as new head coach Kevin O’Connell was there with him in Los Angeles during his rookie year. The familiarity and athletic profile make Garrett a worthwhile linebacker prospect for Minnesota to take a shot on this year.
During his time with the Rams, Garrett only appeared in one game: Week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers where he played 10 total snaps between defense and special teams. He missed time during the season due to coronavirus (COVID-19), and also was sidelined during training camp this year due to a groin injury.
Los Angeles was able to let Garrett loose because of the current linebackers on the roster, though they’ll need one of them to take a leap forward to keep their defense as elite as ever.
