While the Los Angeles Rams made free agency a priority in upgrading the 2026 defense, they did not invest much draft capital to that end. Of 12 rookie additions to the defensive side of the ball, 11 were undrafted free agents (UDFA) and the only draftee was Round 7 nose tackle Tim Keenan.
The final two UDFAs in this profile series are the two I rate as having the best chance to make an impact on the 2026 Rams. As rookies, they may limited to special teams work and their ceiling’s may be that of backups,
but they both share some traits that translate well to the NFL, instincts, physicality, and ball tracking.
Linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green – ‘Bama 6’1 223 lb.
Well-traveled prospect with four college stops. Spent three seasons at Michigan and single years at North Carolina-Charlotte, Colorado, and finally, Alabama. Overall, he played in 56 college games with 26 starts. Lost the entire 2022 season to injury. Hill-Green’s stat line reads 257 tackles, 24.5 for loss, four sacks, 12 passes defended, and two interceptions.
Hill-Green tests out athletically average, not elite in any area and no glaring weaknesses. Good arm length, 32 3/8” and big, almost 10” hands. Steady speed over distance, 4.65 forty and very good initial quickness, 1.58 10-yard split. In upper and lower body strength/explosion, 23 reps on the bench, 34.5” vertical, and 9’4” broad are right at NFL standards. A 7.07 3cone portends good short area agility and change of direction, while 4.44 in the shuttle is a touch high for flexibility, burst, and balance. HIs game is better moving linearly than laterally.
Sturdy compact frame. Aggressive, downhill play style. Middle of the field to sideline pursuit speed. Good get-off and burst. Follows the ball and hustles in pursuit to make plays from behind. Quickly recognizes gaps and takes good angles shooting through them to stop runs and to blitz the quarterback. Solid, tackler, brings thump with him and claws at football with power strip or peanut punch. Stack/shed needs work, more strength work would help. Best suited for zone coverage, he’’ll be at a disadvantage if having to turn and be sticky running downfield. Hill-Green takes deep drops, reads the QB, and shows good reaction skills to make plays on ball. Adequate tackler out in space. Good blitzer inside. In passing lanes, does a good job of timing and hand/eye coordination to bat down passes.
Although his size might hint at a coverage linebacker, Hill-Green is a hard-nosed, downhill thumper that punches above his weight. He checks four major boxes for an NFL-grade linebacker, awareness, instincts, quick-trigger reaction, and physical play. Plays with passion every rep. No reason he cannot be a value on special teams with his hustle, pursuit, and tackling.
Safety Nick Anderson – Wake Forest 5’11” 195 lb.
Walked on at Wake Forest as part of the 2020 class. Became part of the rotation as a freshman and took a redshirt season in 2022. Played in 57 Demon Deacons games with 42 starts. A tackle machine, Anderson charted 368 tackles, 10 for loss, two sacks, eight interceptions, and 27 passes broken up.
Although Anderson’s athletic testing was not elite, he’s a smooth-moving, natural athlete. While RAS gave him a 5.92 score, just average, his testing numbers meet NFL safety standards. Good arm length at 31 3/8” with 8 1/2” hands. So-so speed over distance 4.65 forty, but initial quickness is very good, 1.58 10-yard split. Shows good explosion /strength, both upper and lower body, 35” vertical, 10’1” broad, and 17 reps on the bench. His 4.51 shuttle for flexibility, balance, and burst was below standards, but a 6.82 3cone is an excellent agility and change of direction time.
Very versatile, ability to play as an overhang pseudo-linebacker, traditional underneath strong safety, deep in Cover2 and possibly single high. I say possibly, because although his instincts, read react skills, and ball tracking fit, it remains to be answered how his long speed will translate deep in the NFL. Doesn’t have elite twitch, but strong football IQ and play recognition help him to quick-trigger and play fast. While likely best suited for zone coverage, Anderson does have enough move skills and the requisite physicality to match tight ends 1on1. He times hits well in the secondary and is very physical at the catch point. Strong ball tracking and hawking. Good hands, eyes and the body control to snag awry passes. Stellar in run support. Solid tackler, generally breaks down and wraps up. Anticipates well and takes good angles in pursuit. Didn’t do a lot of blitzing, but appears to have the chops for it.
Little bit of a surprise no team risked a draft pick on him. Very good film and has a history of making big plays. Has special teams background. Fits right into the Rams safety mold, lacking a bit in athleticism, but savvy and smart. While not a perfect comp, I would label him a discount version of Round 1 pick Dillon Thieneman.
Roster chances?
Realistically, it likely comes down to special teams prowess. But I do like the game film on both Hill-Green and Anderson and while they are not athletically gifted, each plays faster with instincts, recognition, and anticipation.
I would go as far as saying Anderson could push for defensive reps at S#4, not just special teams work. Although not gifted athletically, setting raw numbers side-by-side, you could say he’s the best athlete in the safety unit. He fits as a ball hawk and 100%er, plus he’s a stellar tackler and has multi-position versatility. Behind Kamren Curl, Quentin Lake, and Kamren Kinchens, there’s room for an upgrade. Jaylen McCollough (511 snaps) will be tough to root out, but he’s best suited for underneath packages and former cornerback Josh Wallace hasn’t shown a lot of production.
Hill-Green has a narrower path. Although the two players directly ahead of him, Shaun Dolac and Grant Stuard, should be considered as special teams first players, jumping two guys with NFL experience won’t be easy. Dolac had 42 defensive reps as a rookie, while Stuard has averaged 60 over five seasons (most of those in one season). Do the Rams really need a third special teams linebacker that basically does defensive mop up work?
The Rams have built a good roster and protect a high percentage of their draft picks. Will any of the undrafted rookies make a big enough splash in camp to earn an opening roster spot? Which is your favorite sleeper?
