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Los Angeles Rams undrafted sleeper: LB Tegray Scales

By Sayre Bedinger

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - SEPTEMBER 30: Tegray Scales #8 of the Indiana Hoosiers wraps up Trace McSorley #9 of the Penn State Nittany Lions for a sack during the first half on September 30, 2017 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - SEPTEMBER 30: Tegray Scales #8 of the Indiana Hoosiers wraps up Trace McSorley #9 of the Penn State Nittany Lions for a sack during the first half on September 30, 2017 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Rams got one of the most productive Big Ten linebackers in undrafted free agent Tegray Scales out of Indiana…

The Los Angeles Rams added 16 rookies to the defensive side of the ball in the 2018 NFL Draft or through undrafted free agency, and one of the best players in terms of college production they picked up is Indiana linebacker Tegray Scales.

Scales’ production at Indiana earned him All-American honors in 2016, as well as All-Big Ten honors in 2017.

The senior linebacker and leader of the Hoosier defense can factor into the Rams’ defensive plans in 2018 given their lack of great depth at the inside linebacker position in Wade Phillips’ 3-4 defensive alignment.

Though the Rams will play many of their defensive snaps in a nickel look, Scales is a player that can help them in coverage, blitzing, and in any other role they would need him to play on third down.

Ironically, this Big Ten Network draft profile of Scales compared him to Alec Ogletree, who was traded by the Rams to the Giants this offseason and also pegged him as a possible fit for the Rams.

Now he’s going to get a chance to compete for a roster spot in Los Angeles, and I think he stands a pretty good chance.

While at Indiana, Scales put up some crazy numbers at the linebacker position, especially given his lack of elite size or speed.

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At 6-feet, 230 pounds, Scales ran a 4.77-second 40-yard dash at the Scouting Combine which didn’t turn any heads, but he posted 27 bench press reps at 225 pounds, showing off impressive upper-body strength.

Not only will Scales excel on special teams in the NFL, but I think he can become a weapon for Phillips’ defense as a blitzer.

He finished his career at Indiana with 17 sacks, which is a very high number for an off-ball linebacker, including 13 sacks between 2016 and 2017.

Despite struggling at times getting off blocks when attacking the run, Scales has great instincts which led to 46 career tackles for loss.

He also picked off eight passes in his college career and has a very good feel for coverage as a linebacker.

I was surprised Scales went undrafted. When I watched him play, I felt like he was a possible 4th or 5th round player. Obviously, NFL teams did not agree, but the Rams got themselves a player that is going to make an impact.

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