Undrafted Rams Edge Rusher Wesley Bailey Turns Preseason Pressure into Roster Momentum
Undrafted edge rusher Wesley Bailey recorded 10 pressures against the Saints, strengthening his case for a spot on the Rams' 53-man roster. Despite stiff competition at the position, his elite athletic profile and preseason performance have made him a likely roster lock. Bailey's journey from Louisville to the NFL has been marked by his standout preseason play.
Bailey entered the NFL as one of 16 undrafted free agents signed by the Rams following the 2026 draft, facing long odds given the team's established edge rushers in Myles Garrett, Byron Young, Josaiah Stewart, and Desjuan Johnson. His Relative Athletic Score of 9.83 places him in elite company alongside prospects like Boye Mafe and Brian Burns, though his age (25) and modest college production—six sacks in his final Louisville season—explained his undrafted status.
His performance against the Saints placed him in rare preseason company, joining Trey Hendrickson, Aidan Hutchinson, Micah Parsons, and Jonathan Cooper as the only players since 2023 to record 10 pressures in a single preseason game. He also became just the third player since 2017 to log at least one sack, one forced fumble, and four quarterback hits in a preseason contest. Coach Sean McVay acknowledged Bailey's presence on the field, noting clear improvement from the previous week.
Bailey's emergence could reshape roster dynamics for the Rams and similar teams, demonstrating that undrafted players can force their way onto competitive rosters through preseason production. His performance may influence how front offices evaluate athletic testing versus college output, potentially giving other overlooked prospects more consideration. For fans, his story adds compelling narrative interest to roster cutdown season, while his success could pressure the Rams to carry additional edge depth or risk losing him to another team on waivers.