When the Los Angeles Rams set out to rebuild their defense for 2026, they made a splash in free agency. But when it came to the draft, they took a different approach—one that might surprise you. Of the 12 rookie defensive players added to the roster, only one was actually drafted: seventh-round nose tackle Tim Keenan. The other 11? Undrafted free agents.

That’s a lot of long shots. But among them, two names stand out as having the best chance to make a real impact this season. Their path to playing time likely starts on special teams, and their ceiling may be that of reliable backups. Still, both bring the kind of instincts, physicality, and ball-tracking ability that translate well to the NFL.

Let’s start with linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green. At 6'1" and 223 pounds, he’s a well-traveled prospect who made stops at Michigan, Charlotte, Colorado, and finally Alabama. Over 56 college games (26 starts), he racked up 257 tackles, 24.5 for loss, four sacks, 12 passes defended, and two interceptions. Not bad for a guy who missed the entire 2022 season due to injury.

Athletically, Hill-Green tests out as average—no elite traits, but no glaring weaknesses either. He’s got good arm length (32 3/8 inches) and big hands (nearly 10 inches). His 40-yard dash (4.65) is steady, and his 1.58 10-yard split shows very good initial quickness. In the strength department, 23 reps on the bench, a 34.5-inch vertical, and a 9'4" broad jump all meet NFL standards. A 7.07 three-cone drill suggests solid short-area agility, though his 4.44 shuttle is a bit high for flexibility and burst. Simply put, he’s better moving forward than side to side.

But numbers only tell part of the story. On the field, Hill-Green plays with an aggressive, downhill style. He’s got good pursuit speed from the middle of the field to the sideline, a quick get-off, and real burst. He follows the ball well, hustles to make plays from behind, and recognizes gaps quickly—shooting through them to stop runs or blitz the quarterback. He’s a solid, thumping tackler who actively tries to strip the ball. The knock? His stack-and-shed technique needs work, and more strength training would help. But if he can clean that up, he’s exactly the kind of high-motor linebacker that special teams coaches love.

So, can these two UDFAs make a difference for the Rams in 2026? The answer is yes—if they embrace the grind. Special teams might be their ticket to the 53-man roster, but their instincts and physicality give them a real shot to stick around longer than most.