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The Patriots hope former Rams pick Ochaun Mathis can replace Josh Uche
The Rams have done such a good job of drafting day three picks recently that even their failures could be another team’s wins. The Patriots signed Ochaun Mathis to the 53-man roster on Tuesday, 24 hours after trading Josh Uche to the Chiefs, and New England probably expects Mathis to be ready for a big role on the defense.
Like John Franklin-Myers before him, could Mathis become a valuable starter on another team despite not working out as a defensive lineman for the Rams?
The Rams picked Mathis in the sixth round of the 2023 draft, the 5th of FIVE players they selected in a range of 16 picks: Warren McClendon, Davis Allen, Puka Nacua, Tre Tomlinson, and then Mathis at 189.
Mathis was released by L.A. in August and signed to New England’s practice squad five days later. He has been elevated for the last three games and now is on the 53-man roster, giving him a chance to take Uche’s role as a starter. One reason that he might not be that productive however is the same reason Uche wasn’t: The Patriots trail too often. It’s hard to get sacks that way.
The Rams play the Patriots on November 17th.
