For the third straight week, the Los Angeles Rams played in a low-scoring preseason game. The big difference in Week 3 of the preseason was that they were able to win.
The Rams defeated the Denver Broncos 10-6 in a game where barely any players expected to have an impact on the 2019 season saw the field. Still, just like on the scoreboard, there were plenty of winners and losers for the Rams that actually played.
Winners
ILB Dakota Allen
Dakota Allen is one of those guys that just has it.
Allen is the kind of defensive player that just jumps off the screen when you watch him play. You find yourself attached to him on every play. When you forget about him, he’s in on a tackle or making a play in the passing game.
Allen watched the entire first half from the sidelines. He played the majority of the second half, and his presence was felt. Not only was Allen making plays against the run, he came up huge in pass defense, defending on a few critical passing downs as well as starting a tip drill that led to a Kevin Peterson interception.
The fact that Bryce Hager didn’t even suit up and Allen didn’t start the first half means Hager will enter opening day as the team’s starting linebacker. But Allen still walks away from this game as a huge winner. He’s a lock to make the roster and seems likely to be the first ILB off the bench for the Rams.
It was just over three years ago that Dakota Allen was dismissed from the football program at Texas Tech. Now, he has a chance to play a key role on a Super Bowl contender. What a turnaround.
CB Kevin Peterson
Allen may have been the one to start the tip drill, but it was Kevin Peterson who came up with the ball for the interception.
Peterson’s interception was the cherry-on-top of a solid outing from the fourth-year cornerback. He’s found himself shuffling between the team’s main roster and practice squad for the past three years. Now that he’s ineligible for the practice squad, the clock may be ticking on Peterson’s time in Los Angeles. His performance tonight certainly helped his chances to remain on the team.
WR KhaDarel Hodge and WR Mike Thomas
It might seem odd to group Hodge and Thomas as winners together, but I truly think both guys walk away from this game looking better than ever.
Hodge and Thomas are competing for the fifth spot in the team’s wide receiver hierarchy, and likely the last spot if you factor in a return man. Both of them had excellent games. Each had three receptions, with Hodge totaling 54 yards and Thomas reaching 76.
It remains a stalemate when it comes to judging who has the upper-hand in the battle. But no matter which one gets cut, both guys should have jobs in the NFL come September. They’ve proven to be more than capable at catching passes this summer
I’m expecting Thomas to make the roster while the Rams try and keep Hodge on the practice squad. I’m also expecting somebody to scoop up Hodge for their main roster if the Rams cut him. Both guys are good players stuck behind four incredibly talented receivers.
QB Brandon Allen
Similarly, Brandon Allen walks away as a big winner even if he doesn’t seem likely to make the final roster.
Allen and fellow backup John Wolford are basically building a reel for their next audition. The Rams don’t need to keep a third quarterback. But when players are getting injured left-and-right and star quarterbacks are retiring in their prime, there’s going to be a market for guys like Brandon Allen.
The fourth-year quarterback shined in this game, going 12 for 19 with 162 yards. He showed great awareness in the pocket despite poor play from the offensive line. He was able to connect on both short and deep balls. All-in-all, he just looked like an NFL quarterback. If the Rams don’t keep him, he’s worth a look for the other 31 teams in the league.
Losers
RB Darrell Henderson
Darrell Henderson has looked OK this preseason. Nothing more, nothing less.
He’s getting clobbered in the backfield on many of his plays. When he gets some space, he’s had some decent runs. But the third-round draft pick has done absolutely nothing to stand out in a crowded backfield. Tonight, he was thoroughly outplayed by John Kelly.
It’s not unrealistic for Henderson to not have a role on offense in Week 1. As of right now, I wouldn’t expect him to. He’s done nothing to earn touches and snaps outside of being a third-round pick. Expect Malcolm Brown to dominate the backup running back work in Week 1 behind Todd Gurley.
RB Justin Davis
While Henderson was on the field running into walls, Davis was watching from the sideline. And watching… and watching… and watching…
…until he finally trotted onto the field in the fourth quarter. Davis has a steep, steep hill to climb to make the Rams roster. Kelly has become a lock to make the roster. Even though Davis had the highest YPC in the backfield by far against Denver, he still came out as the biggest loser. It’s not a good sign for a bubble player in a crowded position to not get any snaps until the game is almost over.
WR JoJo Natson
Natson didn’t do anything to lose his job against Denver, but he did absolutely nothing to keep it. He totaled four yards on two punt returns. The good news is that he didn’t muff a punt tonight. But if you have to mention it, is it really even good news?
Natson’s main challenger for a roster spot, fellow receiver Nsimba Webster, had another solid night. Webster grabbed four passes for 47 yards, while Natson had two catches for 5 yards. Webster returned his only kick for 19 yards.
Webster is a much better receiver than Natson. It really isn’t close. The only advantage Natson really has over Webster is that he’s been here for a year. For better-or-worse, experience matters, and the Rams may not want to make a change when it comes to their return man. But Natson’s stock has dipped about as low as anyone’s this summer. Keep an eye on the Natson/Webster battle in the team’s final preseason game.
