EARTH CITY, Mo. -- For the third consecutive year, the St. Louis Rams have signed their rookie draft class in one fell swoop.
The Rams confirmed Friday that they've inked their eight remaining drafted rookies to contracts after completing their second week of organized team activities Thursday. The group signing includes running back Todd Gurley, tackle Robert Havenstein, guard Jamon Brown, quarterback Sean Mannion, tackle Andrew Donnal, guard Cody Wichmann, linebacker Bryce Hager and defensive end Martin Ifedi.
Absent from the group is sixth-round receiver Bud Sasser, who the team signed last week and subsequently released after he was unable to pass a physical to play because of a heart condition.
Since Jeff Fisher arrived as coach in 2012, the Rams have made a habit of waiting to sign their draft class until later in the offseason program.
Because of the slotting system for rookie contracts in the collective bargaining agreement, there’s not much concern about signing rookies anymore. With that in mind, Fisher prefers to give the rookies an education beyond the field before handing over big-dollar contracts.
That includes seminars and guest speakers on things such as financial planning, real estate and more. Fisher also believes it allows the drafted rookies to bond with the undrafted rookies before getting a taste of an NFL contract.
The timing of the deals falls in line with what the Rams have done in the past couple of years. St. Louis signed its rookie class on this date last year and on June 13 in 2013.
