Rodney McLeod highlights St. Louis Rams' undrafted free agents

Rodney McLeod highlights St. Louis Rams’ undrafted free agents
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Nick Wagoner, ESPN Staff Writer

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/24563/rodney-mcleod-highlights-st-louis-rams-undrafted-free-agents

Undrafted free agents: Jake McQuaide, LS; Chase Reynolds, RB; Johnny Hekker, P; Rodney McLeod, S; Daren Bates, LB; Benny Cunningham, RB; Cody Davis, S; Marcus Roberson, CB; Ethan Westbrooks, DL; Matt Longacre, DE; Cameron Lynch, LB; Bradley Marquez, WR.

Starts: Rodney McLeod (12), Johnny Hekker (12), Benny Cunningham (1), Marcus Roberson (2), Jake McQuaide (12).
Rams safety Rodney McLeod has proven to have a knack for being around the football. AP Photo/Billy Hurst

Highlights: McLeod leads this group as he has risen through the ranks from key special-teams contributor to starting free safety. Although he’s still prone to costly mistakes, McLeod has developed into a solid starter on the back end and is one of the team’s top priorities to re-sign this offseason.

Aside from McLeod, the Rams have had some success finding good special-teams players through undrafted free agency, and many of the names listed above are key contributors in that area. Bates and Hekker are special-teams captains, McQuaide is as solid as they come at long snapper, Davis is having a Pro Bowl-caliber season covering kicks, and Marquez and Lynch have been mainstays for special-teams coach John Fassel. Hekker also is a former Pro Bowler and one of the best punters in the league.

Cunningham is a core special-teams player too, but he has become more than that, serving as the team’s third-down running back. He’s one of the best backs in the league at picking up the blitz and is solid enough as a runner to make a spot start. Roberson, Westbrooks and Longacre have all flashed potential to help the defense, as well.