Final 53-man rosters won’t be settled for another four months or so, but it’s never too early to have some fun predicting which players will and will not make the Los Angeles Rams this year. They added eight rookie draft picks and a handful of other undrafted free agents, of which at least one will probably make the team.
Here’s our early 53-man roster projection for 2019 following the draft.
Quarterback (2)
Jared Goff
Blake Bortles
It’d be surprising to see the Rams keep Brandon Allen or John Wolford with Goff and Bortles entrenched as the top two quarterbacks. There’s almost no reason to carry three quarterbacks unless the Rams feel strongly about Wolford or Allen becoming primary backups in 2020.
Running back (4)
Todd Gurley
Malcolm Brown
Darrell Henderson
John Kelly
Justin David has a steep uphill climb to making the Rams’ roster with Darrell Henderson now in the mix. It’s even possible Kelly will be cut before the season begins and is stashed on the practice squad. The top three are almost all locks to make the team.
Wide receiver (6)
Brandin Cooks
Robert Woods
Cooper Kupp
Josh Reynolds
JoJo Natson
KhaDarel Hodge
No real surprises or changes here. Natson and Hodge can contribute on special teams and the Rams didn’t add a wide receiver in the draft to compete for their spots.
Tight end (3)
Gerald Everett
Tyler Higbee
Romello Brooker
Tight end will feature some interesting battles this offseason. Will Everett be the starter? Will Higbee get traded or cut? Can one of the undrafted free agents beat out Johnny Mundt. Keenen Brown is definitely an intriguing player with good speed for his size, but Brooker might be more what the Rams are looking for.
Offensive line (8)
Andrew Whitworth
Rob Havenstein
Austin Blythe
Joseph Noteboom
Brian Allen
Bobby Evans
David Edwards
Jamil Demby
The competition will be heated on the offensive line this summer. The only surefire starters are Whitworth and Havenstein. Allen could get pushed by Blythe at center, Edwards and Allen can play either guard positions and Noteboom will likely be the swing tackle or starting left guard.
Defensive line (6)
Aaron Donald
Michael Brockers
Greg Gaines
John Franklin-Myers
Sebastian Joseph-Day
Tanzel Smart
Gaines hasn’t been handed the starting job at nose tackle, but the way Les Snead and Sean McVay talked about him, he’s going to get the first crack. Joseph-Day and Smart will have to perform well in the preseason and in camp to make the roster.
Outside linebacker (6)
Dante Fowler Jr.
Clay Matthews
Samson Ebukam
Ogbonnia Okoronkwo
Morgan Fox
Trevon Young
Fox can be slotted in at outside linebacker or defensive end, but the Rams were trying him at the former more than the latter last year. Depending on where the Rams play Matthews most, a player like Justin Lawler or Young could sneak onto the roster at outside linebacker.
Inside linebacker (3)
Cory Littleton
Micah Kiser
Dakota Allen
This position group needs some help, but Matthews will contribute inside, too. For now, it looks like Littleton and Kiser will be the starters, while Allen will work his way up on special teams. Don’t be the least bit surprised if the Rams sign a free-agent linebacker to bolster the unit.
Cornerback (6)
Marcus Peters
Aqib Talib
Nickell Robey-Coleman
David Long
Troy Hill
Kevin Peterson
Dominique Hatfield and Peterson will compete for the final spot at cornerback, but Hill hasn’t locked down a job yet, either. Blake Countess’ position flexibility between corner and safety is valuable and could push Hill off the roster.
Safety (6)
John Johnson
Eric Weddle
Taylor Rapp
Blake Countess
Nick Scott
Marqui Christian
The top three are set in stone, while the other three will be fighting for what might be two spots. For now, we’ll pencil in six safeties thanks to Countess’ versatility, Scott’s special teams value and Christian’s ability to play some linebacker, too.
Special teams (3)
Greg Zuerlein
Johnny Hekker
Jake McQuaide
None of these players will be cut or moved before the season begins. They’re as certain to make the team as any player anywhere in the NFL.
