Kam Curl summed up the Los Angeles Rams‘ roster battle better than anyone else could.
“Everybody cannot play for the Los Angeles Rams,” Curl told me.
That was clear throughout training camp at Loyola Marymount University. The Rams rarely had a consistent third-team period, so players near the bottom of the roster did not get many chances to make up for a bad rep. Every snap mattered, especially for the rookies and undrafted players trying to get noticed.
The difficult decisions come at running back, receiver, defensive line, and in the secondary. Special teams will also play a major part in deciding the last few spots.
For this projection, I am leaving Aaron Donald off until he makes an official decision on a return.
Here is my Rams 53-man roster projection entering the season.
Quarterback (3)
Matthew Stafford, Stetson Bennett IV, Ty Simpson
Sean McVay confirmed the Rams will carry three quarterbacks. The only question left is whether Bennett or Simpson will be Stafford’s backup in Week 1.
Bennett made his best case against New Orleans. He completed 19 of 31 passes for 181 yards and added two rushing touchdowns while leading four scoring drives in the first half. Simpson took over with the Rams already ahead 27-0 and completed 8 of 12 passes for 73 yards.
Check Out Our Custom Los Angeles Rams Merch HERE!
Bennett’s experience in the offense still gives him the edge for QB2, but Simpson has done enough to keep the competition open. For Simpson to come in as a rookie and open up the QB room like that is incredibly impressive.
Running Back (3)
Kyren Williams, Blake Corum, Ronnie Rivers
The Hunter trade leaves the Rams with the same three running backs who led the room last season. Williams and Corum remain the top two options, while Rivers stays because of his experience and special-teams value.
Connors made a real case for the fourth spot with two receiving touchdowns and 51 yards from scrimmage against Kansas City. But Atwell takes Hunter’s place on the 53. With the Rams also carrying three quarterbacks, five tight ends, nine offensive linemen and seven receivers, I do not see a clean cut to make room for another back.
Connors would be one of my first practice-squad priorities. A strong preseason finale or an injury elsewhere could still change the math.
Wide Receiver (7)
Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, Jordan Whittington, Tutu Atwell, Konata Mumpfield, Xavier Smith, CJ Daniels
The Rams rested most of this group against New Orleans and LA, which told us more than another full game of snaps probably would have. Nacua, Adams, Whittington and Mumpfield are set, while Smith’s absence was another positive sign for the team’s primary punt returner.
Atwell recorded 105 catches for 1,535 yards and five touchdowns during his first five seasons with the Rams. His role shrank when the offense shifted toward more 13 personnel last year, but his speed still gives this group something different. His familiarity with McVay and Matthew Stafford should also shorten the adjustment period.
Daniels followed a strong camp with eight catches for 68 yards against the Saints. He was targeted 13 times, worked through contact and continued showing value as a blocker.
Brennan Presley and Alex Bachman remain practice-squad candidates.
Tight End (5)
Tyler Higbee, Colby Parkinson, Davis Allen, Terrance Ferguson, Max Klare
Nothing crazy here. The Rams built their offense to use heavy personnel, and all five tight ends have a role or clear developmental value.
Allen returned to practice after missing time with a quad injury. Ferguson worked with the starters throughout camp, and Klare’s seven-catch preseason debut against Kansas City remains enough to keep the second-round pick secure.
Mark Redman and Dan Villari are other options, but there is not room for a sixth tight end.
Offensive line (9)
Alaric Jackson, Steve Avila, Coleman Shelton, Kevin Dotson, Warren McClendon Jr., David Quessenberry, Beaux Limmer, Justin Dedich, Keagen Trost
Dedich passed his physical and returned to practice Monday, so the earlier assumption that he would start the season on reserve/NFI is gone. He has appeared in 32 games with 10 starts over the last two seasons and gives the Rams proven depth at multiple interior spots.
The Rams also did not allow a sack against New Orleans and rushed for 151 yards. McClendon remains the starting right tackle, Quessenberry gives the team a veteran swing option, and Limmer covers the interior. Trost’s hamstring injury is still worth watching, but the Rams remain hopeful he can return before Week 1.
Austin Blaske has played well enough to make this difficult, but I still have him on the practice squad.
Defensive line (5)
Kobie Turner, Poona Ford, Braden Fiske, Tyler Davis, Larrell Murchison
This is my biggest change outside of Bailey. Murchison makes the roster over Ty Hamilton because of his familiarity with Chris Shula’s defense and his ability to step directly into the rotation. He played a career-high 16 games last season and tied his career high with two sacks.
Hamilton sitting against New Orleans could be a sign the Rams already view him as safe. I still give Murchison the spot. He knows the calls, understands how Shula wants the front to play, and has already produced in that role. That familiarity matters for a team trying to win now.
The Rams can keep only five true defensive linemen because Desjuan Johnson can move inside when needed. That leaves Hamilton and seventh-round rookie Tim Keenan III off the roster. Keenan remains a developmental practice-squad target.
Donald returning would change this group again immediately.
Outside linebacker (5)
Myles Garrett, Byron Young, Josaiah Stewart, Desjuan Johnson, Wesley Bailey
Bailey played his way onto the roster against New Orleans. The undrafted rookie finished with five tackles, one sack and a forced fumble at the goal line. He consistently walked offensive tackles backward and made his presence felt beyond the box score.
McVay said he felt Bailey’s presence throughout the game, and that matched what showed up on the field. Bailey has also taken first-team reps when other players were unavailable and improved from the first preseason game to the second.
Garrett, Young, Stewart and Johnson were already secure. Bailey now gives the Rams a fifth edge rusher they are unlikely to risk losing on waivers.
Inside linebacker (4)
Nate Landman, Omar Speights, Shaun Dolac, Grant Stuard
This group remains unchanged. Landman and Speights lead the room, Dolac consistently worked with the second team during camp, and Stuard gives the Rams an experienced special-teams player.
Nikhai Hill-Green, Monty Rice and Elias Neal remain on the outside unless the Rams create another spot through an injury move.
Cornerback (5)
Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson, Emmanuel Forbes Jr., Josh Wallace, Cam Lampkin
McDuffie, Watson, Forbes and Wallace are secure. Lampkin keeps the fifth spot after adding a fourth-down pass breakup against the Saints to a consistent camp.
Al’zillion Hamilton made this much closer with an interception against New Orleans. He also broke up a pass against Kansas City and has shown he belongs in the conversation. I still give Lampkin the edge because of his full body of work, ability to play in the slot and special-teams reps.
McPhearson moving to injured reserve removes one player from an already crowded competition.
Safety (4)
Quentin Lake, Kam Curl, Kamren Kinchens, Jaylen McCollough
Carrying Bailey and activating Dedich forces the Rams to go lighter somewhere else. I have them keeping only four safeties.
That is difficult after Cook returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown against New Orleans and Nick Andersen recorded eight tackles and two pass breakups against Kansas City. Both players made real cases, but Lake, Curl, Kinchens and McCollough are established, while Wallace and Lampkin give the defense some flexibility in the slot.
Cook, Andersen and Tanner Ingle are three of the hardest players to leave off the safety room.
Special teams (3)
Harrison Mevis, Ethan Evans, Joe Cardona
There is no debate here. Mevis made two field goals and four extra points against the Saints, improving to 4-for-4 on field goals this preseason. Evans and Cardona remain secure at punter and long snapper.
The Final Count
- Quarterback: 3
- Running back: 3
- Wide receiver: 7
- Tight end: 5
- Offensive line: 9
- Defensive line: 5
- Outside linebacker: 5
- Inside linebacker: 4
- Cornerback: 5
- Safety: 4
- Special teams: 3
- Total: 53
The hardest cuts are Connors, Presley, Ty Hamilton, Keenan, Al’zillion Hamilton, Cook, Andersen, and Ingle. The Rams will likely want several of them back on the practice squad, but their preseason play has also made it more likely another team puts in a claim.