By Nick Wagoner
Senior Writer

The Rams added 10 undrafted rookie free agents to the roster Monday. Included in that group is a variety of names, some recognizable for their football bloodlines and some recognizable for their bloodlines in general.

As bloodlines go, you’d be hard pressed to find any team signing a player with better genetics than Morehouse running back John David Washington. The son of actor Denzel Washington, John David got his glory on the field for the Maroon Tigers.

The 5’10, 200-pound running back rushed for 1,198 yards and nine touchdowns as a senior on his way to all conference honors.

Washington isn’t the only intriguing name on the list of rookie free agents. Connecticut power forward, yes power forward, Ed Nelson also signed with the Rams on Monday.

Nelson played for the Connecticut basketball team, but realized soon after the Huskies’ season that his athletic future was probably better served in football. He worked out for NFL scouts before the drafted, but went undrafted because of his raw and undeveloped football skills.

At 6’6, 252 pounds, Nelson certainly has the frame to play tight end, but is probably a long shot to make the Rams’ active roster. St. Louis drafted a pair of tight ends, USC’s Dominique Byrd and Colorado’s Joe Klopfenstein over the weekend and traded Brandon Manumaleuna to San Diego. Nelson hasn’t played football since his freshman year of high school.

Washington wasn’t the only running back the team added the day after the draft. California University of Pennsylvania’s Antoine Bagwell also signed a contract with the team.

Bagwell was an ultra-productive back at the Division II level, rushing for 1,588 yards and 21 touchdowns as a senior and 1,765 yards and 20 touchdowns as a junior. The 5’11, 180-pound back will join a crowded back field that includes Steven Jackson, Marshall Faulk, Tony Fisher and Washington. Of course, with Faulk not getting any younger, there could be an opening for future help at the position.

Perhaps paving the way for Washington and Bagwell is offensive lineman Donovan Raiola. Raiola comes to the Rams from Wisconsin and in the footsteps of his brother Dominic. Dominic Raiola plays for the Detroit Lions.

Donovan Raiola started for three years for the Badgers and is a tough, fiery type cut from the Big 10 Conference cloth. He enters a solid situation where he will be given a shot to compete for a backup and potential future successor role behind current center Andy McCollum.

Mike Degory from Florida will also be in the mix of potential backups for McCollum. Degory started 50 games for the Gators and was all SEC and all American for CBSSportsline.com His 50 starts tied a school record.

Receiver Clinton Solomon, of Iowa also signed with the Rams on Monday. Solomon is 6’3, 214 pounds and finished his career as a Hawkeye with 118 receptions for 1,864 yards. He was a second team all Big 10 choice as a junior.

Bringing the total of rookie tight ends on the roster to four is New Hampshire’s Jonathan Williams. Williams was a second team Atlantic 10 choice as a senior and had first team honors as a junior.

On the other side of the ball, the Rams signed defensive tackle Tim Sandidge from Virginia Tech. Sandidge visited the Rams before the draft and was under consideration as a late-round pick.

Sandidge finished his career with 7.5 sacks and 120 tackles. He will be expected to provide competition at tackle with the likes of Brian Howard and Jeremy Calahan in the mix for backup spots. At 6’1, 304 pounds, Sandidge is more of a run stopping type of tackle that will have a legitimate shot to make the team or the practice squad.

Defensive end Kory Lothe comes to the Rams from Eastern Illinois. At 6’4, 267 pounds, Lothe certainly looks the part. He was productive also, earning all Ohio Valley Conference honors as a senior, finishing with five sacks.

The only addition to the special teams was kicker Josh Cummings. Cummings comes to St. Louis from Pittsburgh, where he was a second team all Big East selection. He had 61 points and was 14-of-19 on field goal tries last year. He is most likely a camp leg to help keep Jeff Wilkins fresh, but should get a chance to prove his ability in training camp.