An Inside Look At Rams UDFA: ILB Tegray Scales

Ed "Pi Double i" Henderson

WorldWide Rams

Tegray Scales arguably is the one UDFA that has a high chance of making the Rams 53-man roster. No doubt that he will arrive at camp with the most significant chip on his shoulder as he went undrafted from the 2018 NFL Draft. He immediately signed with the Los Angeles Rams after the conclusion of the NFL Draft a team who brought him in for a top 30 visit.

Teams perhaps overlooked Scales because of his size, something that he faced from recruitment out of high school. He was not recruited heavily because he was an undersized linebacker. He changed those thoughts by becoming the Ohio Associated Press Co-Defensive Player of the Year. His outstanding year led him to record 102 tackles, 13 sacks, and two interceptions. 

Scales named All-Big Ten as a senior has led the Hoosiers with 89 total tackles (12.5 tackles for loss), six sacks, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries. He played 48 games starting 26 and recorded  218 solo tackles, eight interceptions, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble, nine quarterback hurries and eight pass breakups and one touchdown.

Scales is a very disciplined linebacker that has good read and reaction skills, instinctive and can play downhill. Consistent to around the football and take right angles in pursuit and can adjust on the fly quickly. He above average cover skills making him dependable as a three-down linebacker.

However, the knock on Scales, against the run he tends to hesitate, which allows the lineman to engage him at the second level. He seems not to keep his leverage in the gaps consistently playing off one side of the blocker rather than taking him head-on. On film review, his 4.77 40 time appears to show. 

However, you see the lateral quickness to his game and the suddenness in his lower half when he’s locked in.  He doesn't get faked out with play-action, misdirection or trick plays,  one part of his game that I impressive coaches. He studies plenty of game film to explain his disciplined, and ability to locate the ball, and close ground quickly.

Scales will probably find his knack on special teams where he'll contribute right away.  He’s not one you’re going to have to worry about when it comes to putting in the work in the film room and the weight room either. Even though he won't make the starting lineup at linebacker, he'll be a project that can start in the next couple of years.

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