Where to start on this defending SB roster?
In no particular order…
QB backup. Can Wolford hold off Perkins? I have my doubts and I also suspect that Rams only keep 2 QB’s this year. I think Perkins is that QB and Rams will attempt to trade Wolford to a desperate team for a future low draft pick.
RG is definitely up in the air. Bruss might just seize it but maybe Shelton dominates because of NFL conditioning and experience. Anchrum is a possible dark horse here, too. In any case Rams seem pretty strong at OG for ‘22.
TE backup. Who do you like here? I think Blanton has the inside track here but it’s no lock. Hopkins impressed in SB so maybe the lightbulb went on for him finally. This could be an ongoing competition well into the season.
Edge is up in the air for sure. Heck, Rams may be signing a solid player as we speak. In fact, I hope they are. Otherwise Hollins is the favorite but a strong camp by any of several youngsters could change that in one quick hurry. Camp performances will have to determine the starter opposite Floyd unless a very solid FA is signed. We may be stronger and deeper there than I think, but we might be even thinner than I fear. This position is the Rams weakest link in the eyes of most observers and it’s not like Snead to leave a hole there going into a SB defense season. I would not be in the least surprised if Snead already had a deal in the works at edge.
CB both outside opposite Ramsey and Slot CB are tbd officially. Hill is likely to get the lions share of snaps and he is likely to be moving around as star along with Ramsey. But we can be darned sure that Ram coaches will have Rochell, Long, and the rookies under the microscope this camp. I wouldn’t fall out of my recliner if Either Durant or Kendrick were to have very strong camps even as rookies. CB is likely the most intensively competitive position group on this roster.
Punter? Who knows? But I’m sure that Rams will get it sorted out by opening day.
All the other positions seem pretty predictable at this point although there are always camp surprises. Who knows, maybe we have a gem or 2 waiting in the wings as a UDFA?
As an aside, and at the risk of sounding like a broken record, I think (and hope) that Rams can trade Rapp for player or future pick while he still has a modicum of value. He now seems like a player without a true position in this particular D.
Anyway, to say that Rams will have fierce competition at numerous positions would be a massive understatement, don’t you think? Just what one would expect on a SB roster.
