The Sports Xchange

EARTH CITY, Mo. — Just like clockwork, the St. Louis Rams signed their entire remaining draft class after the team’s final OTA session of the week. The Rams conclude their OTAs next week and do not have a minicamp.

For several years, the club has waited until the offseason program is near its conclusion or even over before signing all their draft choices. They deviated somewhat this year because of the unique situation involving wide receiver Bud Sasser, their sixth-round pick, who was signed on June 2.

It was discovered that Sasser had a heart issue (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) and the Rams subsequently placed him on reserve/non-football illness, then waived him so he is now a free agent. Sasser received a $113,737 signing bonus.

Signing this week were running back Todd Gurley (first round), tackle Rob Havenstein (second), guard Jamon Brown (third), quarterback Sean Mannion (third), tackle Andrew Donnal (fourth), guard Cody Wichmann (sixth), linebacker Bryce Hager (seventh) and defensive end Martin Ifedi (seventh).

The Rams’ philosophy is to educate the rookies on financial planning before cutting those bonus checks as well as develop camaraderie in the group by having them all sign together.

On an NFL level, the eight signings knocked off a large number of the remaining unsigned picks in the league.

With Atlanta signing first-round linebacker Vic Beasley and Dallas signing first-round cornerback Byron Jones on Friday, there are now just 13 of the 256 players drafted that haven’t signed contracts. Those 13 players are on eight teams, and only four of the unsigned players are first-round selections. There are two from the second round, six from the third and one from the sixth.

Teams with unsigned choices:

Cleveland (2): Running back Duke Johnson (third round), tight end Randall Telfer (sixth).

Green Bay (1): Cornerback Damarious Randall (first).

Indianapolis (2): Cornerback D’Joun Smith (third), defensive end Henry Anderson (third).

Jacksonville (1): Guard A.J. Cann (third).

New England (1): Defensive tackle Malcom Brown (first).

N.Y. Giants (2): Tackle Ereck Flowers (first), safety Landon Collins (second).

Oakland (2): Defensive end Mario Edwards (second), tight end Clive Walford (third).

Tennessee (2): Quarterback Marcus Mariota (first), tackle Jeremiah Poutasi (third).