The 2026 NFL Draft is officially in the books, and it’s safe to say that the most surprising pick of the entire draft belongs to the Los Angeles Rams. With the No. 13 overall pick, the Rams bucked conventional wisdom by selecting Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson, with the hope being that he can become the eventual heir to Matthew Stafford under center.
Los Angeles would bring four other players to town in addition to Simpson before turning its attention to the undrafted free agent market. While the Rams have done most of their work in this department, they are still bringing new faces to town, as their latest addition has spent the past four years starting along the Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive line.
Rams Sign Undrafted Free Agent Jalen Logan-Redding
Defensive line was one of the areas Los Angeles addressed during the draft, as it used its final pick in the seventh round on Simpson’s Alabama teammate, Tim Keenan III. A defensive tackle, Keenan is a developmental prospect who is going to need some time to develop, so it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to see that the Rams continued to look for help at this spot in the undrafted free agent market.
That is where Jalen Logan-Redding comes into play. A four-year starter at Minnesota, Logan-Redding spent six seasons in the college ranks, turning himself into a versatile lineman who specializes in doing the dirty work that makes his teammates’ lives easier. While he doesn’t get to the quarterback very often, Logan-Redding is a stout run defender who helps set the edge when opposing teams try to keep the ball on the ground.
In 2025, Logan-Redding finished with 15 tackles, 0.5 sacks, and one pass breakup during his time on the field. His numbers may not be flashy, but Logan-Redding has a unique skill set for a modern defensive lineman that has made him stand out to Los Angeles. As a result, the team decided to sign him after he didn’t hear his name called in the 2026 draft.
“Jalen Logan-Redding (Minnesota) has signed with the LA Rams!” Logan-Redding’s agency, 3XL Sports Management, shared in a post on X.
Rams Take a Flier on Jalen Logan-Redding
GettyThe Rams have signed defensive lineman Jalen Logan-Redding in free agency
As a pure pass rusher, Logan-Redding doesn’t offer much, as he picked up just four sacks during his six seasons with Minnesota. Still, if he can continue to develop his skills as a run defender, he could carve out a role for himself along the Rams’ defensive line. He has a lot of experience from his collegiate days, which could help him stand out early on in training camp.
It goes without saying that Logan-Redding faces long odds when it comes to making L.A.’s roster, but he could very well latch on with its practice squad if he shows himself well ahead of the start of the season. Logan-Redding’s vast experience from his college days makes him a prospect worth keeping tabs on, even if he ultimately didn’t get selected in the draft.
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