Quinton

Culberson

If the Rams replace him internally, Quinton Culberson is an option, although he’d seem likely to be a downgrade. Chillar is coming off a solid year and is only 25. He has a good chance to get starter’s money on the market.

This is a case of a good player not fitting his new coach’s scheme, but it’s still surprising that the Rams would release last year’s team leader in tackles. Though the Rams tried Pisa at SAM linebacker last month at minicamp, he didn’t have the size to stay there. Chris Draft is now the favorite to start next to James Laurinitis and Will Witherspoon.

According to linebacker David Vobora, the competition at strong side “is a wide-open thing” with Larry Grant and Quinton Culberson also in the mix. Ideally, one of the three would step up and allow Draft to play the backup role.

Culberson was just waived by the Rams on Sunday as the team added a couple waiver pickups. But now the team has decided to cut veteran Chris Draft, opening a spot back up for Culberson. He’ll be a backup.

They need to make room for waiver adds LaJuan Ramsey and Anthony Smith. A ten-game starter last season, Culberson wasn’t a good tackler and didn’t make big plays. His 16 appearances mean he’s out of practice squad options.

St. Louis envisions journeyman Paris Lenon, 31, as an upgrade.

Culberson will have to prove himself in game action, starting tonight against the Titans. If he ends up the starter, Draft can remain a backup at all three linebacker spots.

Draft will likely be St. Louis’ backup at all three positions. Culberson could possibly approach 75 tackles, but that’s about his statistical ceiling.

The undrafted second year player racked up a team-high 14 tackles in Week 17 last season after riding the bench all year. If Culberson starts, veteran Chris Draft can remain a backup at all three linebacker spots.