I should have been clear, that while I quoted your post, I wasn't necessarily responding to you specifically. As far as Sam getting those reps only because Hayes isn't there, can't the exact same thing be said about Westbrooks? They have been rotating with those 2nd unit reps, pretty much on a daily basis.
And to your point, and this time I am directing this to you, about Michael Sam being too light at 257 lbs, explain to me how Robert Quinn, being 2 inches taller is productive at 265? IMO, its not about the weight, its about explosion and leverage. Something both Quinn and Sam have plenty of.
Michael Sam has the ability to drop hips, and turn the corner, like few DEs can. That isn't about weight. That's balance, and techinque. HE can get underneath most Tackles, and if he can keep them from getting their hands on him, he wins more than he loses. Ethan Westbrooks plays much more upright, and uses quickness as his biggest weapon. In much the same way Aaron Donald can be so effective as an inside rusher, Westbrooks uses his quickness off the ball. Its not about strength with him either. It's also that "quickness" that leads to the high number of off sides penalties. Fortunately, it hasn't shown up in the TWO PS games yet, but it has in practice.