The Los Angeles Rams are in the process of narrowing down their preseason roster to the maximum of 53 players for the start of the 2025 campaign. The NFL roster cuts deadline is Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. PT, meaning it’s a mad dash from all 32 teams to get their final rosters in order.
Generally, teams reach the maximum 53 players by either trading or cutting. Ideally, teams trade as much as possible to stock up on future assets. But if there is no trade available — which is typically the case — they’ll waive or release that player.
One player that had a bit of a market but was not needed on the Rams was offensive tackle KT Leveston. The Rams are relatively deep on the offensive line, so they were always going to make cuts there. But the Cleveland Browns, with a need for depth on their end, reportedly sent a future late-round pick to L.A. for Leveston, via Ian Rapoport of NFL Network:
#Browns trade: Cleveland is trading with the #Rams for OT KT Leveston and giving up a 7th in 2028, source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 26, 2025
Leveston was selected by the Rams in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft at pick No. 254. The 25-year-old spent five years playing at Kansas State and was a full-time starter for the final two seasons. He was an honorable mention for All Big-12 in his senior season.
He did not play in 2024 due to an injury that had his on IR for the entirety of the season. Now, he goes to the Browns, where he may have a chance to get on the field and see some NFL playing time with Cleveland in the midst of a rebuild.
L.A. gets a 2028 seventh-round pick in the deal, effectively getting reimbursed for the draft pick they used on him last season.
Rams waive 10 players and release one
The Rams trimmed their roster ahead of Tuesday’s deadline by moving on from 11 players.
The Rams waived tight end McCallan Castles, safety Malik Dixon-Williams, offensive lineman Ben Dooley, defensive tackle Decarius Hawthorne, guard John Leglue, center Mike McAllister, outside linebacker Josh Pearcy, defensive lineman Da’Jon Terry, offensive tackle Trey Wedig and quarterback Dresser Winn.
The aforementioned players will now be subject to waivers. Players who go unclaimed will become unrestricted free agents and are free to sign with any NFL team.
It’s likely that some of those players will end up on the Rams practice squad to begin the 2025 season.
Additionally, the Rams released inside linebacker Tony Fields II. He originally joined the team last October but did not play in any regular season games.
