The Los Angeles Rams are off until they report for training camp on July 27, giving players some time off for the summer. With spring workouts, OTAs and minicamp in the rearview mirror, it’s time for another 53-man roster projection.
There aren’t a ton of changes from our last edition, which came immediately after the draft, but Blake Countess’ release and Morgan Fox’s position switch impacts things.
Quarterback (2)
Jared Goff
Blake Bortles
No changes here and there’s no reason to believe the Rams will carry three quarterbacks this season. Bortles is a very capable backup and unless he tanks in training camp and the preseason, he’ll be QB2 behind Goff.
Running back (4)
Todd Gurley
Malcolm Brown
Darrell Henderson
John Kelly
Justin Davis is the odd man out in this scenario. Gurley, Brown and Henderson are all but locks to make the team, while Kelly’s job isn’t necessarily secured yet. He still has to earn a roster spot because the Rams could carry three backs or replace him with Davis.
Wide receiver (6)
Brandin Cooks
Robert Woods
Cooper Kupp
Josh Reynolds
JoJo Natson
KhaDarel Hodge
The Rams have so much talent at their skill positions that they could probably get away with carrying just four wide receivers. They won’t go that thin, but their depth on offense is remarkable. Natson is valuable on special teams and Hodge has good potential, but either player could be bumped off by incoming rookies.
Tight end (3)
Gerald Everett
Tyler Higbee
Johnny Mundt
Picking the No. 3 tight end is like throwing darts. Mundt is competing with a handful of undrafted rookies, all of whom could take his spot on the roster. The only potential surprise at this position would be the Rams moving on from Higbee and fully committing to Everett.
Offensive line (8)
Andrew Whitworth
Rob Havenstein
Austin Blythe
Joseph Noteboom
Brian Allen
Bobby Evans
David Edwards
Jamil Demby
There isn’t much wiggle room with this group. Demby has practiced at all five spots, which makes him more valuable. The two rookies should make the team based on draft pedigree, while the other five players are in line to be starters.
Defensive line (6)
Aaron Donald
Michael Brockers
Greg Gaines
John Franklin-Myers
Sebastian Joseph-Day
Morgan Fox
Fox is moving back to the defensive line, which bumps Tanzel Smart off the roster. The Rams have enough talent at nose tackle to move on from him. Gaines and Joseph-Day will compete for the starting job, while Brockers has the versatility to line up at the nose in sub-packages, allowing Fox or Franklin-Myers to get on the field.
Outside linebacker (6)
Dante Fowler Jr.
Clay Matthews
Samson Ebukam
Ogbonnia Okoronkwo
Trevon Young
Josh Carraway
Carraway is a newcomer from our last projection and is the beneficiary of Smart not making the team in this scenario. Carraway has a strong athletic profile and could make an impression on the coaches at a relatively unproven position.
Inside linebacker (4)
Cory Littleton
Micah Kiser
Dakota Allen
Bryce Hager
Hager’s special teams play is valuable and the Rams don’t exactly have many answers behind projected starters Littleton and Kiser. Natrez Patrick is an undrafted rookie to watch and Clay Matthews will contribute inside, too, but depth is needed at this spot.
Cornerback (6)
Marcus Peters
Aqib Talib
Nickell Robey-Coleman
David Long
Troy Hill
Kevin Peterson
Hill is locked in after signing an extension, but the Rams could opt to carry just five cornerbacks, leaving Peterson, Dominque Hatfield and others on the outside looking in. This is a talented group with a good mix of young and old.
Safety (5)
John Johnson
Eric Weddle
Taylor Rapp
Nick Scott
Marqui Christian
Wade Phillips mentioned the Rams having “a lot of safeties” who can contribute and that’s proven evident by this depth chart. Scott will be a great special teams addition, while Rapp and Christian can both be hybrid linebackers in passing situations, replacing Kiser in sub-packages.
Special teams (3)
Greg Zuerlein
Johnny Hekker
Jake McQuaide
Nothing will change here from now until at least the end of next season, barring injuries. Zuerlein could use an extension, though, as he enters the final year of his contract.
