Which 5 teams should look at claiming Michael Sam?
By Evan Massey
The St. Louis Rams selected defensive end Michael Sam with the 249th overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, and the media storm followed quickly. Sam is the first openly gay player in NFL history to be drafted, and his quest to make a roster has been well documented since the Rams selected him. Whether it be his above average play during preseason action or his showering habits, media outlets have gone too far and reported way too much about this situation.
Sam was able to record 11 tackles and three sacks during preseason action, which was fairly impressive and unexpected. Granted, the majority of his production came against second and third team offensive lines, but it is still an impressive stat line for a rookie in his first preseason. Despite the success that he showed, the Rams decided to release him as part of their final cuts.
What exactly does that mean for Sam’s NFL future? It means that all other 31 teams will have a chance to submit a waiver claim, which would automatically bring him onto their 53-man roster. There are some teams out there that could use some help in the pass rushing category, but it is unlikely that teams around the league truly view him as a potential difference maker for this season.
Which five teams should take a good look at claiming Sam and giving him a chance on the 53-man roster?