Don’t Sleep On Lance McCutcheon Earning Rams Roster Spot

A program with just three players drafted since the turn of the millennium, 2022 was a year to celebrate for Montana State. With a second-rounder in Troy Andersen and a seventh-rounder in Daniel Hardy, the Bobcats more than left their footprint in April’s draft. While Andersen drew the masses and Hardy’s name was a late riser on many draft boards, the Los Angeles Rams’ signing of wideout Lance McCutcheon has seen the reigning Super Bowl champs reap early rewards from the UDFA early in his career. 

A name still relatively unknown to the public eye, McCutcheon has quickly drawn the attention of Rams brass following a two-touchdown performance in his NFL debut. 

“He deserved it and it’s a real credit to Liam (Coen), Coach (Eric)Yarber, and Coach (Greg) Olson. They did a great job being able to put (Lance McCutcheon) in those spots and he delivered,” Head Coach Sean McVay said. “I remember early on in the offseason program, there are certain young guys that have that right look in their eye where you can see they are mature beyond their years. I remember Olson being around him and he said, ‘You watch, this guy’s going to have a really good preseason and I bet you he makes a lot of plays,’ and that was prophetic and I said that to Olson during the game. I remember when you were around this guy for only a couple of days and you kind of saw this coming. He’s just got one of those demeanors where you say this guy is going to figure it out.”

OH MY LANCE MCCUTCHEON 😱

🎥: @RamsNFL pic.twitter.com/eccAnATNjK

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) August 14, 2022

A 6-foot-3 blend of size, speed, and elite aerial ability, McCutcheon has been an awfully nice surprise for a wide receiving corps that lost Robert Woods and Odell Beckham Jr this offseason. While triple crown winner Cooper Kupp returns and the addition of Allen Robinson to pair with Van Jefferson should round out a nice duo to complement the All-World talent, if McVay is able to add another thoroughbred to the stable in McCutcheon, the Rams could once again challenge for a Lombardi trophy come February. 

For an offense anchored by signal-caller Matthew Stafford, McCutcheon’s skill set within McVay’s ever-growing playbook would showcase another talent for defenses to try and take away this fall. And although the deep list of aforementioned names didn’t even include 2021 second-rounder Tutu Atwell—who’s played well in camp—you can never have enough playmakers on the perimeter. McCutcheon is much, MUCH more than a heartwarming story from a small school. 

Following his five-catch, 87-yard performance against the Los Angeles Chargers, expectations have reached new levels as McCutcheon works into the second week of the preseason. While he remains on the fringes of a roster spot with so many experienced bodies in front of him, if you can play, you can play. If you don’t believe me when I say McCutcheon could slide into the final 53, just listen to McVay’s elation for the young playmaker.

Rams rookie WR Lance McCutcheon receiving some high praise from HC Sean McVay 👀 (via @RamsNFL) pic.twitter.com/kIu6ZaXbpZ

— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) August 14, 2022