The Los Angeles Rams suffered some key losses this offseason in free agency, watching several starters leave to sign elsewhere. Among the top players were Lamarcus Joyner, Ndamukong Suh and Rodger Saffold, who joined the Raiders, Bucs and Titans, respectively.
We decided to check in on those three players, as well as three other free agent departures, to see how they’ve done with their new teams this preseason. Understandably, many of them haven’t played a ton of snaps, but there have been some good performances.
Lamarcus Joyner, FS, Raiders
The Raiders took a similar approach as the Rams this preseason, sitting the majority of their starters in two of the first three games. As a result, Joyner’s playing time has been limited, totaling only 18 snaps played thus far.
All of those snaps came against the Cardinals in Week 2 and he made the most of them. He made one tackle, which was a sack on Kyler Murray for a two-point safety. Joyner was also sticky in man coverage in the slot and has looked like the rangy safety we saw in 2017.
Ndamukong Suh, DT, Buccaneers
Suh has played and started all three preseason games so far, but the first two games consisted of only one series each; he had no tackles in either game. In the third preseason game, he played 31 snaps and made one tackle.
Somewhat unsurprisingly, Suh was flagged for roughing the passer on Baker Mayfield. That penalty has been a staple of Suh’s career due to his aggressive playing style.
Rodger Saffold, LG, Titans
Saffold has only played 31 total snaps this preseason, all of which came in the second and third games. He allowed a sack against the Patriots after he was bull-rushed, but he did look good as a run blocker – which shouldn’t shock anyone.
Saffold looked better against the Steelers and appears to be fitting in nicely with his new team. He should once again be one of the better left guards in the league, particularly in the running game.
Sean Mannion, QB, Vikings
The majority of Mannion’s playing time in the NFL has come in the preseason, attempting only 53 passes in the regular season in his career. He’s looked like he has in the past, though his completion percentage this preseason is a very respectable 66.7 percent. He has two touchdowns and one interception with a passer rating of 93.2
He’ll most likely be Kirk Cousins’ backup this season, assuming the role he once held behind Jared Goff with the Rams.
C.J. Anderson, RB, Lions
Anderson found his footing in the third preseason game, rushing for 24 yards on eight carries, including a 10-yard run thanks to this vicious stiff-arm.
In his first two preseason games, he carried it four times for eight yards combined, so his playing time was limited prior to this past week. Anderson is going to play a key role for the Lions as a physical runner behind Kerryon Johnson.
Ramik Wilson, LB, Jaguars
Wilson played 35 snaps in the preseason opener and made seven total tackles, the third most in the game. He broke up a pass in that one, too, looking like a solid linebacker in the middle of Jacksonville’s defense. The second preseason game wasn’t as successful, as he played 30 snaps and didn’t make a single tackle.
Wilson is currently slotted in as the backup weakside linebacker in Jacksonville, playing behind Quincy Williams.
