With the 2021 NFL Draft complete, let’s analyze the 53-man roster prediction for the Los Angeles Rams. Who will make the cut? Which players land on the practice squad? Who latches onto a new team?
Quarterback
Roster Locks
First, the Rams decided to move on from Jared Goff. So, in comes Matthew Stafford as the Rams new quarterback. In addition, John Wolford earned the backup job and never let go last year.
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Next, Bryce Perkins made the practice squad last year as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Virginia. Then Devlin Hodges joined the roster after the Pittsburgh Steelers decided to part ways with him.
Running Back
Roster Locks
The Rams selected Cam Akers with the 52nd overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. He quickly became the Rams lead back. In addition, Darrell Henderson was a 3rd round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. He and Akers form an excellent one-two punch.
Xavier Jones joined the Rams as a UDFA in 2020 after a productive career at SMU. He saw action in 13 games for the Rams and logged 204 special teams snaps.
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In addition, Jake Funk was a 7th round pick in this year’s NFL Draft. He had an up and down career at Maryland. He battled two separate ACL tears, and a shortened season due to COVID-19. Funk will have to earn time through special teams. His speed and toughness give him a shot to make the roster.
Lastly, Raymond Calais was a 7th round pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020. He was cut and the Rams picked him up on waivers. Still, Calais could find a way to latch on due to the Rams need for a returner.
Wide Receiver
Roster Locks
The Rams have arguably the deepest receiving corps in the NFL. Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp are some of the most complete receivers in the NFL.
In addition, Van Jefferson was drafted at 57th overall last year. Jefferson was praised as a great route-runner with exceptional hands in. He had flashes of his potential and looks to make another jump in his second NFL season.
Meanwhile, DeSean Jackson joined the Rams as a free agent after Sean McVay identified the need for speed in his offense. In addition, the Rams decided to take Tutu Atwell with the 57th overall pick this year. Atwell has a gear that few others possess. He can contribute early in certain situations.
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Nsimba Webster made the 53-man roster last year through special teams. Trishton Jackson made the practice squad as a UDFA last year out of Syracuse. J.J. Koski also stuck on the practice squad in 2020. Ben Skowronek was a 7th-round pick of the Rams this year out of Notre Dame. He can be a weapon in the red zone. However, he has to make his mark on special teams.
Lastly, the Rams added UDFA Jeremiah Haydel and Landen Akers this year.
Tight End
Roster Locks
Leading the charge here is Tyler Higbee who is underrated as an intermediate target. Brycen Hopkins stretches the seam but needs to improve as a blocker. Also, Johnny Mundt has managed to stick on the Rams roster as an H-back/TE. He allows the Rams to run two tight end sets with run blocking in mind.
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Kendall Blanton latched onto the Rams practice squad last year after being a UDFA in 2019. Jacob Harris is an athletic freak who excelled on deep routes and jump balls at UCF. Although extremely raw, he has tools you can’t teach. He is looked at with special teams in mind early on in his career.
Offensive Line
Roster Locks
First, it appears the Rams plan for the offensive line is as follows; Andrew Whitworth and Rob Havenstein at tackle. They will move Austin Corbett to center. They will put David Edwards and Bobby Evans at guard.
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Secondly, players returning as depth are; Brian Allen, Chandler Brewer, Joe Noteboom, Coleman Shelton, Jamil Demby, and Tremayne Anchrum.
Also, UDFA Alaric Jackson and Jordan Meredith look to make the roster as depth pieces.
Lastly, the Rams also added Max Pircher out of Italy from the NFL’s International Player Portal. In addition, Pircher can be on the practice squad without counting per the NFL rules.
Who Makes The Cut?
Quarterback (2): Matthew Stafford, John Wolford.
The Rams tend to only carry two quarterbacks.
Running Back (5): Cam Akers, Darrell Henderson, Xavier Jones, Jake Funk, Raymond Calais.
Jones and Funk both have special teams ability and offensive versatility. Calais offers the potential to be a dynamic returner. The Rams swap a receiver for a running back.
Receiver (5): Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, Van Jefferson, DeSean Jackson, Tutu Atwell.
The Rams go with five receivers in order to keep a designated kick returner.
Tight End (4): Tyler Higbee, Brycen Hopkins, Johnny Mundt, Jacob Harris.
Jacob Harris offers versatility as a tight end and receiver which allows the Rams to only technically carry five receivers. Harris also was coveted for special teams ability.
Offensive Line (10): Andrew Whitworth, David Edwards, Austin Corbett, Bobby Evans, Rob Havenstein, Joe Noteboom, Tremayne Anchrum, Brian Allen, Chandler Brewer, Alaric Jackson.
The Rams typically carry 10 offensive linemen. Jackson makes it over the others because of his potential as a future tackle. The Rams gave him a nice signing bonus because other teams wanted to sign him, if he goes to the practice squad he may get claimed.
Defensive Line
Roster Locks
First, Aaron Donald, Sebastian Joseph-Day, and A’Shawn Robinson are firmly entrenched as the starters. Next, Greg Gaines provides consistent depth as a run stopper. Then, Bobby Brown III and Earnest Brown IV were selected in the 2021 NFL Draft to replace Michael Brockers and Morgan Fox.
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Eric Banks joined the Rams as a UDFA in 2020. He provides versatility as a defensive lineman/edge rusher. Marquise Copeland has been a mainstay on the Rams practice squad since 2019. Also, Michael Hoecht and Jonah Williams are both players the organization has praised since joining the practice squad in 2020 as UDFA. Lastly, George Silvanic signed with the Rams as a UDFA out of Air Force this year.
Inside Linebacker
Roster Locks
Travin Howard was supposed to start in 2020 before a knee injury. He is a smaller linebacker who has shown to be solid in coverage. Next, the Rams drafted Ernest Jones with the 103rd overall pick this year. He is instinctive and has a shot to earn the green dot as a rookie.
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First, Micah Kiser is a solid run-stopper but he isn’t good in coverage. In addition, he has struggled to stay healthy for the Rams. Next, Troy Reeder is another linebacker who is best as a run defender but struggles in coverage. Then, Kenny Young is average to below average at everything. He has a couple of splash plays but isn’t consistent. Lastly, Christian Rozeboom and Derrick Moncrief joined the team in 2020. Rozeboom was a UDFA out of South Dakota State. Moncrief played in the CFL after going undrafted in 2017, he will be 28 when the NFL season starts.
Edge/Outside Linebacker
Roster Locks
Leonard Floyd re-signed with the Rams after a career year in 2020. In addition, Terrell Lewis was drafted and believed to be a steal in the 3rd round last year. Lewis showed flashes in 2020 but struggled to stay healthy. The Rams also have Ogbonnia Okoronkwo who has shown flashes after being a 5th round pick in 2018. Okoronkwo has also struggled to stay healthy in the NFL. Justin Hollins showed flashes in 2020 after being signed off waivers from the Denver Broncos. Lastly, Chris Garrett was the 252nd overall pick this year. He was dominant in Division II and the Rams clearly didn’t want another team to sign him after the draft.
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Justin Lawler has made little noise since being a 7th round pick in 2018. However, Lawler has managed to stick around the organization. Meanwhile, Max Roberts signed as a UDFA out of Boston College. Roberts is undersized but had some solid statistics in the ACC. Finally, the Rams recently signed John Daka off waivers from the New York Jets. Daka was a UDFA last year who is undersized for the NFL.
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Cornerback
Roster Locks
Jalen Ramsey is the best corner in the NFL. Meanwhile, Darious Williams is a tier-two corner after a stellar 2020 season. In addition, David Long was highly thought of coming out of Michigan. He has seen minimal snaps but has shown flashes. Long looks to solidify a spot as a nickel corner. Lastly, Robert Rochell is an athletic specimen out of Central Arkansas. He is likely an outside corner but does have some inside versatility.
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Dont’e Deayon has been a mainstay on the practice squad since joining the Rams off waivers in 2018. The Rams also added Brontae Harris as a UDFA out of UAB this year. Harris is similar to Williams in a lot of ways on tape.
Safety
Roster Locks
The Rams are deep and versatile at safety. First, Jordan Fuller was a 6th round surprise last year and was instinctive and tough as a rookie. Next, Terrell Burgess appeared to be a steal in the 3rd round. He is sticky in coverage and a good tackler. Unfortunately, an injury cut his rookie season short. Taylor Rapp looks to bounce back after a sophomore slump following a promising rookie season. Rapp struggled with an injury last year but is a very sound safety. Lastly, Nick Scott has been a leader on special teams. Scott also showed versatility as a safety due to injuries at the position in 2020.
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A group of UDFA in Jake Gervase, JuJu Hughes, J.R. Reed, Paris Ford, Troy Warner, and Jovan Grant. Gervase has been on and off the practice squad. Hughes and Reed had limited opportunities to show much as rookies last year. Ford, Warner, and Grant look to turn solid college careers into NFL realities. These guys will need to stand out on special teams.
Specialists
Roster Locks
Matt Gay finally ended the Rams kicking woes in 2020. Meanwhile, Johnny Hekker looks to rebound from an off year in 2020 and return to form.
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Colin Holba and Steven Wirtel will battle it out for the long-snapper role. In addition, Corey Bojorquez will try to push Hekker for the punter job. Lastly, Austin MacGinnis and Brandon Wright will try to push for a spot on the practice squad if not signed by another team.
Who Makes The Cut?
Defensive Line (6): Aaron Donald, Sebastian Joseph-Day, A’Shawn Robinson, Bobby Brown III, Earnest Brown IV, Greg Gaines, Eric Banks.
Brown III and Brown IV are both valuable draft picks that will likely survive cuts. Banks offers versatility as a lineman and edge rusher.
Inside Linebacker (4): Travin Howard, Ernest Jones, Troy Reeder, Micah Kiser
Travin Howard offers the most as a coverage linebacker and was slated to start in 2020. Reeder has a little more athleticism than Kiser and has managed to stay healthy, but Kiser has the experience and started last season so he gets the nod as well.
Edge/Outside Linebacker (5): Leonard Floyd, Terrell Lewis, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Justin Hollins, Chris Garrett.
The Rams are thin at the Edge position and the Rams drafted Garrett to avoid another team signing him as a UDFA. Despite being from Division II, he is explosive and the Rams likely won’t risk losing him on waivers.
Cornerback (4): Jalen Ramsey, Darious Williams, David Long, Robert Rochell
Safety (5): Jordan Fuller, Terrell Burgess, Taylor Rapp, Nick Scott, Troy Warner
The Rams like using three safeties often on defense. Warner is versatile as a safety who also played some cornerback. He is a sound tackler. He is an experienced leader and special teams player.
Specialists (3): Matt Gay, Johnny Hekker, Steven Wirtel
Wirtel gets the nod due to his impressive college career and athleticism. The Rams seemed to focus on athleticism for the special teams until this year. Meanwhile, Holba has bounced around the league.
Practice Squad (12)
Quarterback: Bryce Perkins
Perkins beats out Hodges who is likely just a camp body
Receiver: Ben Skowronek
In a loaded receiver room, Skowronek just has more versatility than the other guys. Plus he was a draft pick.
Offensive Line: Coleman Shelton, Jordan Meredith, Max Pircher (IPP)
The Rams keep some athletic and versatile linemen. Pircher is the 13th man due to the IPP designation.
Defensive Line: Marquise Copeland, Michael Hoecht, Jonah Williams
The Rams continue to keep versatile depth along the backend of the roster.
Cornerback: Dont’e Deayon, Brontae Harris
Harris will show enough flashes to be worth keeping especially since he and Darious Williams are close.
Linebacker: Christian Rozeboom, Max Roberts
The Rams really like Rozeboom and Roberts can offer some pass-rush potential.
Safety: Jovan Grant
Grant edges the other out because of his elite athleticism which the Rams continue to value, particularly on special teams. He was also a standout special teams guy in college.