Projecting Rams' depth chart following 2022 NFL draft

[theramswire.usatoday.com] Projecting Rams' depth chart following 2022 NFL draft


Cameron DaSilva
May 3, 2022 10:46 am PT



There’s a long way to go before the 2022 season begins, with OTAs, minicamps and training camp still needing to take place. That’s when the Los Angeles Rams’ depth chart will become clearer as players beat out their competition for starting and backup jobs.

Even though it’s a bit early to be projecting the Rams’ depth chart, it’s a fun exercise to show where Los Angeles got better and which positions still need help coming out of the draft.

Here’s an updated look at the depth chart following the 2022 draft. It excludes the reported undrafted free-agent signings because they aren’t yet official, and none of them will be listed higher than “reserve” right now.

Note: Rookies are in italics

Offense
Starter Backup Third-string Reserve Reserve Reserve
Quarterback Matthew Stafford John Wolford Bryce Perkins
Running back Cam Akers Darrell Henderson Jr. Jake Funk Xavier Jones Kyren Williams Javian Hawkins/Raymond Calais
Wide receiver Cooper Kupp Van Jefferson Tutu Atwell Landen Akers Brandon Powell
Wide receiver Allen Robinson Ben Skowronek J.J. Koski Jacob Harris Warren Jackson
Tight end Tyler Higbee Kendall Blanton Brycen Hopkins Jacob Harris Kyle Markway
Left tackle Joe Noteboom Alaric Jackson Max Pircher Chandler Brewer
Left guard David Edwards Jeremiah Kolone
Center Brian Allen Coleman Shelton
Right guard Logan Bruss Coleman Shelton Bobby Evans Tremayne Anchrum Jr.
Right tackle Rob Havenstein Alaric Jackson Tremayne Anchrum Jr. Adrian Ealy A.J. Arcuri
The biggest difference pre- and post-draft on offense is at right guard where I’m projecting Bruss to be the starter over Shelton, Evans and Anchrum. That would be atypical for the Rams because they usually prefer veterans and experience over rookies on the offensive line.

However, Sean McVay has already said Bruss will compete for the job right away and I think he has a good chance to win it outright over the other three players.

Williams will have a chance to beat out Jones and Funk for the RB3 role, and his value in passing situations is likely to get him on the field early in his career. He might already be the Rams’ best pass protector at running back.


Defense
Starter Backup Third-string Reserve
Defensive tackle Aaron Donald Marquise Copeland
Nose tackle Greg Gaines Bobby Brown III
Defensive end A’Shawn Robinson Michael Hoecht Jonah Williams Earnest Brown IV
Outside linebacker Leonard Floyd Chris Garrett
Inside linebacker Bobby Wagner Travin Howard Anthony Hines
Inside linebacker Ernest Jones Christian Rozeboom
Outside linebacker Justin Hollins Terrell Lewis Daniel Hardy
Cornerback Jalen Ramsey Grant Haley Derion Kendrick
Safety Jordan Fuller Taylor Rapp Quentin Lake Antoine Brooks Jr.
Safety Nick Scott Terrell Burgess Russ Yeast Jake Gervase
Cornerback Troy Hill Robert Rochell Decobie Durant Tyler Hall
Nickel David Long Jr. Terrell Burgess
There are no new starters on defense coming out of the draft, but the depth is much better than it was previously. Durant, Lake, Yeast and Kendrick fill positions that needed more bodies and talent, even if they’re all penciled in as reserve players right now.

Hardy is the other defensive rookie the Rams added, but he has more hurdles on his path to playing time than the first-year players in the secondary. He could take a redshirt year similar to the way Chris Garrett did last season.


Starter Backup
Kicker Matt Gay
Punter Riley Dixon
Kick returner Brandon Powell Raymond Calais
Punt returner Brandon Powell Tutu Atwell
Long snapper Matthew Orzech
The Rams chose not to draft a punter or return specialist, so Dixon and Powell don’t have any added competition coming out of the draft. They must be confident in Dixon as Johnny Hekker’s replacement, but hopefully that confidence isn’t misguided.