Time is winding for players on the roster bubble to impress Rams coaches before final cuts are made, as just two preseason games remain. Next, Los Angeles will take on the Denver Broncos at home on Saturday night.
The third preseason game is often viewed as the dress rehearsal, but with the Rams’ conservative approach to the preseason, it’ll be backups getting almost all of the playing time.
Here are six players on the roster bubble who need to stand out against the Broncos.
OL Jamil Demby
Demby has quickly fallen out of favor in L.A., seeing his stock slip in the last two weeks. He was a liability on the offensive line Saturday against Dallas, allowing consistent pressure up the middle while playing guard and center.
The Rams could use some help on the interior with Aaron Neary facing a suspension to start the year, but Demby hasn’t looked good this preseason. If he doesn’t turn it around in the next two preseason games, he could suffer the same fate as last year when he was cut before the season began.
WR JoJo Natson
Natson is in a battle with Nsimba Webster and others as the top returner on the team, but his muffed punt in the first game of the preseason did him no favors. A bounce-back in Week 2 – which featured a touchdown reception – helped a bit, but he remains on the roster bubble.
In order to make the 53-man roster, he has to show more as a punt returner than he does as a wide receiver. Catching passes is just an added bonus, given the Rams’ depth at wide receiver. Natson must separate from Webster in order to make the team and have a significant role on special teams.
DT Tanzel Smart
Smart only played 18 snaps against the Cowboys, which is actually a good sign for his status with the team. However, the Rams already have a stud defensive tackle in Aaron Donald and two players competing for starting reps at nose tackle (Greg Gaines and Sebastian Joseph-Day). Smart has a decent chance to make the final roster, but he has to stand out more than he has.
He missed a tackle that led to Tony Pollard’s touchdown run on Saturday night, which wasn’t a good look for him. Smart’s versatility at nose tackle and 3-technique is an added benefit, but will it be enough to keep him around?
S Steven Parker
Parker has been a bright spot on defense this preseason, but two strong games may not be enough to earn him a roster spot. He has to continue that solid play in order to make the team. Nick Scott is his top competition at safety, though Scott has the advantage of being a 2019 draft pick and a special teams stud.
It’s highly unlikely the Rams will keep six safeties, so the clock is ticking for Parker. A standout performance against the Broncos would go a long way toward elevating Parker’s standing with the coaches.
CB Dont’e Deayon
Like Parker, Deayon has played well this preseason. He had an interception against Dallas, as well as a strong tackle for loss – a perfect read on a screen pass to a wideout. There may not be a more heated competition on the roster than the one brewing at cornerback with Kevin Peterson, Darious Williams and Dominique Hatfield also in the mix.
Deayon has NFL experience after playing parts of two seasons with the Giants, but he has some ways to go before he makes the 53-man roster. The roster bubble is not a place he wants to be, but it’s where he finds himself and a host of other corners.
OLB Landis Durham
Durham leads the team with two sacks this preseason, adding in nine total tackles, as well. He’s been a productive player through two weeks and looks like he has the ability to contribute in the NFL, but the coaches will need to see he him put up these numbers consistently.
Durham hasn’t been helped by Ogbonnia Okoronkwo’s emergence or Josh Carraway’s impressive preseason, but Justin Lawler and Trevon Young are both banged up. That could open the door for Durham to sneak onto the regular-season roster as a pass rusher.
