One of the biggest free agents left on the open market is a player who has yet to play a snap of football. Welsh star Louis Rees-Zammit is widely regarded as one of the best rugby players in the world, yet despite that success, the Gloucester product hopes to transition to the National Football League. Listed as a wide receiver/running back/returner hybrid, Rees-Zammit is one of the most intriguing players available.
While he’s new to the game and will need time to learn the nuances of NFL life, he has the raw athleticism to make it at the highest level. Louis Rees-Zammit ran a 4.43-second 40-yard dash and will not shy away from talking about how the game of rugby has prepared him for football.
“Catching kickoffs, catch and kick receipts, punt receipts, there’s a lot of transferable skills, and I think running back shows up probably best, getting the ball in my hand early, being able to pick a gap, being able to be aware of the surroundings.”
He’s more than just a raw athlete with running potential, and Louis Rees-Zammit also ran some routes during the International Player Pro Day. He clearly did something right, as the rugby star has piqued the interest of at least four teams.
“I’m pretty happy with how I ran my routes, just about how fluid I could be, how I could show off my change of direction, how I can get in and out of breaks. I think there are a lot of transferable skills. In rugby, you’re always trying to get your hands on the ball as much as often and you’re always trying to break defenses, look for spaces, be aware.
This is a fun one: Welsh rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit, one of the more high-profile international names in the International Player Pathway Program, is visiting the #Broncos today and the #Chiefs tomorrow, source said. He spent last week with the #Browns and #Jets. pic.twitter.com/RFkDyhD2zN
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 25, 2024
At Least Four Teams Interested In Rugby Star Loius Rees-Zammit
In the short term, Louise Rees-Zammit projects as something of a gadget player. While he has the potential to develop into a solid running back or receiver, he’ll need time to hone his craft. While elements of rugby are similar to football, they are different games and Rees-Zammit is 1,000’s of reps behind all of his future peers.
With that in mind, the best home for Louis Rees-Zammit is one with a creative offensive mind who frequently schemes players open. Of the four teams listed in Rapoport’s tweet, the Kansas City Chiefs make the most sense. Andy Reid is an offensive genius who excels at creating wide-open throwing lanes for his quarterback. Rees-Zammit could be a perfect fit here, as this team could use more pass-catching threats and Isiah Pacheco is nothing special in the passing game.
Chances are, these won’t be the only teams interested in Louis Rees-Zammit. After all, the rubgy star has NFL athleticism, and players signed via the International Pathway Program don’t even count against the 90-man roster. While anyone could go after him, these three teams make the most sense.
Other Possible Destinations
New Orleans Saints
Louis Rees-Zammit is a 6′-3″ dual-threat who can run routes, play a little bit of running back, has special teams potential, and could probably fill in as a Wildcat quarterback at a moment’s notice. In related news, Taysom Hill is entering his age-34 season and OverTheCap believes that the Saints can save $4.67 million in cap space by releasing him next year. Sean Payton was Hill’s biggest supporter, but the fact that the do-everything weapon is still on this team shows that people in the building believe in what he brings to the organization. While he’ll need to add some muscle, Rees-Zammit could be the next Hill.
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens should have one of the most dangerous rushing attacks in the league in Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry. These two should provide a thunder-and-lightning duo that keeps opposing defenses up at night. Adding an elusive threat like Louis Rees-Zammit into the mix would simply be unfair. The rugby star would easily be the second-best running back on this team and the right offensive mind could have a field day with these three playmakers in the same backfield.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Arthur Smith took a lot of heat for his questionable use of Kyle Pitts, Bijan Robinson, and Drake London, but he deserves credit for getting the most out of Cordarrelle Patterson. Prior to his time with the Falcons, Patterson was a dangerous returner who was nothing more than just a gadget players on offense. Smith found a way to get the most out of the former first-round pick, and history could repeat itself with Louis Rees-Zammit.
