Los Angeles Rams Training Camp Preview: 5 Potential Surprise Cuts
By Blaine Grisak of DowntownRams
Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams will be wrapping up OTA’s within the next few weeks and training camp will get under way. The Rams will head into training camp with 90 players but will only be allowed to take 53 into Week 1.
Every season there are some surprise cuts as teams make room for players that they might see as having a higher ceiling or fits better. A few years ago, that surprise player was John-Franklin-Myers. Here are five players that could be surprise cuts this season.
C Brian Allen
Brian Allen is that actual lone center with starting experience on the Los Angeles Rams. However, that starting experience wasn’t necessarily good. Allen was the team’s starting center in 2019 before an injury put him on IR. He was replace by Austin Blythe who never let go of the starting role.
According to some reports, Coleman Shelton has been taking some No. 2 snaps at center behind Austin Corbett. This will be a situation to watch, because it’s unlikely that the Rams would keep three centers on the roster.
Allen didn’t play well in 2019 and has been injured much of the last year and a half. If Shelton gives the Rams enough confidence, Allen could find his way off the Rams in training camp.
CB David Long
The Los Angeles Rams drafted David Long in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft and hasn’t lived up to that third round draft selection. The Rams needed a number two three cornerback heading into the 2020 season to play behind Jalen Ramsey and Troy Hill. It was thought that would be David Long who had some experience in the slot.
Instead, Hill became the versatile inside-outside cornerback and undrafted free agent, Darious Williams, played the majority of his snaps opposite of Ramsey. Last year was Long’s chance and he was outplayed by an undrafted free agent. When he has played, Long hasn’t necessarily impressed either.
The Rams don’t have a lot of depth at cornerback which might work out in Long’s favor. However, if someone like Donte Deayon gives the coaches confidence, Long might be on the hot seat during Rams training camp.
LB Justin Hollins
When the Rams signed Justin Hollins after the Denver Broncos cut him last season, it was thought that he would be an edge rusher-linebacker hybrid. While Hollins did contribute last season, the coach that pounded the table for him – Brandon Staley – is no longer with the Rams.
Hollins had a career-high three sacks last season and with the team’s lack of depth at edge rusher, he could contribute there. However, with Staley no longer in his corner, Hollins will need to prove himself to Raheem Morris.
WR Nsimba Webster
This one might not come as a total surprise, however, Webster has spent the last two years on the Rams roster. He knows the offense and he’s been a special teams contributor. Unfortunately for Webster, the signs are pointing to him heading out the door this offseason.
The Rams signed DeSean Jackson in free agency and then drafted TuTu Atwell and Ben Skowronek. Not counting Webster, that gives the Rams six wide receivers when you add in Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, and Van Jefferson.
It is possible that the Rams could keep seven wide receivers, but that doesn’t account for the undrafted free agents that the Rams signed either.
LB Kenny Young
The Los Angeles Rams traded away Marcus Peters to the Baltimore Ravens for Kenny Young and a fifth round pick. The Rams had connections to Young prior to the 2018 draft and needed to trade Peters in order to get Jalen Ramsey.
Young has been ok for the Rams at linebacker, but he hasn’t necessarily stood out or made a difference. If the Rams cut him, they can open up over $2M in cap space. The Rams have Micah Kiser, new draftee Ernest Jones, Troy Reeder, and they get Travin Howard back from injury. This is a team that also likes what they have in Christian Rozeboom who was an undrafted free agent last year.
Given that the Rams don’t have a lot at linebacker, Young likely stays on the roster. However, it wouldn’t be a total shock to find his name among the list of cuts come August.
