One of the most important and unpredictable position battles in camp for the Rams will undoubtedly be at kicker. They have three kickers who have never played in the NFL competing for the job to replace Greg Zuerlein, and it’s impossible to tell as of now which player will emerge on top.
Lirim Hajrullahu hails from the CFL where he was one of the best kickers in the league. He was the first kicker added by the Rams before Austin MacGinnis was added as a free agent and Sam Sloman was drafted in the seventh round.
Hajrullahu saw the Rams as a good opportunity for him to advance his career despite being 30 years old and having no NFL experience. In an interview with 3DownNation, Hajrullahu explained why he picked the Rams over five other teams that were interested.
“They were adaptive to the situation with COVID-19. It happened pretty quick,” he said of the Rams. “We were talking with them and five other teams. Even after I signed there were a couple teams that called and were surprised I had signed so quickly.
“Overall LA was the best scenario for myself because it’s an open competition. You don’t have a veteran guy that’s guaranteed a couple million already. It’s open and it’s up to me now.”
Hajrullahu is right: It is an open competition. The Rams have shown no preference to any of the three kickers, aside from maybe the fact that they spent a draft pick on Sloman after already signing Hajrullahu and MacGinnis.
But when it comes to kicking, the most accurate and consistent player will win out. It won’t come down to potential or upside because teams don’t exercise patience with kickers. They’re asked to contribute on a weekly basis and can’t simply stay on the roster as a backup.
Hajrullahu is thrilled to be playing in Los Angeles and is excited to hopefully capitalize on the opportunity he now has.
“To go play a sport in the NFL in LA, honestly for my parents and my whole family, we can’t fathom it. Timing is everything. Right timing, right team. You just have to take the opportunity and run with it,” he said.
