The Los Angeles Rams are gearing up for their second preseason game of 2019, “hosting” the Cowboys in Hawaii on Saturday night. Typically in Week 2 of the preseason, starters get more playing time, but as has been the case since last year, the Rams won’t put their top players in harm’s way.
That gives players further down on the depth chart the opportunity to prove themselves in game action. Here are six guys on the roster bubble who need to stand out against the Cowboys to better their chances of making the team.
OLB Ogbonnia Okoronkwo
Okoronkwo missed the first preseason game with a hamstring injury, continuing a troubling trend of durability concerns. He has yet to take a single NFL snap in the preseason or otherwise, so he has to get on the field – and fast. It remains to be seen if he’ll play on Saturday night, but he was out there for practice on Tuesday, which is a good sign.
He’s getting dangerously close to the roster bubble despite being an intriguing player, but that’s what happens when you’re not available to practice or play in games. The Rams have had very little tape to go off of with Okoronkwo, making him difficult to evaluate.
CB Dominique Hatfield
Hatfield played 48 snaps against the Raiders, the second-most of anyone on defense. That’s not necessarily a good thing because it means the coaches wanted an extended look at him. He hasn’t performed that well in practice and didn’t stand out in the first preseason game, pushing him closer to being cut.
Kevin Peterson, on the other hand, had a great game in which he intercepted Mike Glennon and looked good in coverage. Hatfield must take his game up a notch if he wants to be one of the last 53 men standing.
OLB Natrez Patrick
Patrick caught the eye of Sean McVay recently when the coach was asked about rookies who have stood out. It wasn’t the highest of praise, but the Rams like what they’ve seen from the undrafted rookie thus far.
“Natrez Patrick is somebody that’s stood out and really taken advantage of his opportunities as a result of (DL) Justin Lawler going down.”
Patrick has experience at both inside and outside linebacker, but Los Angeles clearly wants him to contribute as a pass rusher. Okoronkwo has been banged up and Lawler underwent foot surgery, thus opening the door for Patrick. He now has to capitalize on this chance he’s been given.
WR KhaDarel Hodge
Hodge had a good performance against the Raiders, catching three passes for 48 yards. He’s among the players vying to be the fifth wide receiver on the depth chart, slotting in behind Brandin Cooks, Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp and Josh Reynolds. JoJo Natson is also battling for that spot, along with Mike Thomas and a host of undrafted rookies.
Hodge has to keep up his quality play and show some consistency in order to make the team. If the Rams keep six receivers, his odds drastically increase, but he still has to beat out one of Natson and Thomas.
RB John Kelly
Kelly got the start against Oakland with Justin Davis recovering from a concussion, but he did little to take advantage of the opportunity. In 22 snaps, he carried it three times for 10 yards with two catches for 2 yards. None of the Rams’ running backs looked particularly good, so Kelly didn’t do anything to hurt his chances of making the roster.
However, if Davis returns and Darrell Henderson receives increased touches (as he’s expected to), Kelly could get pushed down the depth chart. Todd Gurley, Malcolm Brown and Henderson are locks to make the team, but the same can’t be said about Kelly and Davis.
FS Steven Parker
The Rams have a lot of depth at safety and Parker is probably at the bottom of the heap. He’s behind backups Taylor Rapp and Marqui Christian, and competing with Nick Scott. Parker doesn’t have the benefit of being a rookie draft pick, but a strong preseason performance could earn him a roster spot.
He already has one good game under his belt, intercepting a pass in the first preseason game, but the key now is stacking good days on good days. Increased playing time and impactful plays will only help him inch further away from the bubble and closer to the safe zone.
