Rams 53-man roster projections: LA’s depth creates tough decisions…

Rams 53-man roster projection: LA's depth creates tough decisions

[theramswire.usatoday.com]

Cameron DaSilva

We’re less than a month away from training camp starting for the Los Angeles Rams, and about two months from final roster cuts being made. The season still feels far away, but it’s approaching rather quickly.

Now in the middle of summer, it’s a good time to project which players might make the 53-man roster, and who might be cut before Week 1. In this latest projection, the Rams have a ton of tough calls to make – a testament to the depth they have across the roster.

Quarterback (2)

Matthew Stafford
John Wolford
Bryce Perkins
The Rams don’t have to keep three quarterbacks but after doing so last year, I think they’ll roster three again in 2022. Perkins is almost certain to be signed by a team if he’s cut before the season, and if the Rams see him as a future No. 2, they shouldn’t risk losing him.

Running back (4)

Cam Akers
Darrell Henderson Jr.
Kyren Williams
Jake Funk
The running back group will be a tough one to trim down this summer. Akers and Henderson are locks, but there’s a lot to be determined behind them. I gave the last two spots to Williams and Funk, which means Xavier Jones and Raymond Calais were left off. I think both will land on the practice squad and stick around, but no matter what, the Rams have some hard decisions to make.

Wide receiver (7)

Cooper Kupp
Allen Robinson
Van Jefferson
Ben Skowronek
Tutu Atwell
Brandon Powell
Jacob Harris
Seven receivers seems like a lot, but Powell is a return specialist and Harris can also play tight end. Cutting players such as Lance McCutcheon and J.J. Koski might be tough but the Rams can only carry so many wideouts – and they might need to save room for Odell Beckham Jr. down the line.

Tight end (3)

Tyler Higbee
Kendall Blanton
Brycen Hopkins
These were the three tight ends that finished the season and I expect them to be the ones to start the 2022 season on the roster, too. Los Angeles doesn’t need more than two tight ends, especially with Harris also likely to make the team.

Offensive line (9)

Joe Noteboom
David Edwards
Brian Allen
Logan Bruss
Rob Havenstein
Alaric Jackson
Tremayne Anchrum Jr.
Coleman Shelton
Bobby Evans
This group could expand to 10 if the Rams want to hold onto players such as Chandler Brewer and A.J. Arcuri, but those two could also be practice squad candidates – more so than Evans or Shelton if they were to get cut. This is another group that will be challenging to whittle down as roster cuts happen.

Defensive line (6)

Aaron Donald
Greg Gaines
A’Shawn Robinson
Bobby Brown III
Michael Hoecht
Marquise Copeland
Earnest Brown IV and Jonah Williams are the most notable names to be cut from this group. The top three on the depth chart are locked in, and Brown should make the team after a quiet rookie year, but there’s a lot of unproven talent in this position group.

Inside linebacker (3)

Bobby Wagner
Ernest Jones
Travin Howard
Christian Rozeboom is the fourth linebacker on the depth chart right now and though it’s possible he could jump Howard, I don’t see it happening. And I also don’t think the Rams will keep more than three linebackers, given the fact that Wagner and Jones will play most of the snaps.

Outside linebacker (5)

Leonard Floyd
Justin Hollins
Terrell Lewis
Daniel Hardy
Four edge rushers feels awfully light, but there aren’t many other positions to steal roster spots from. Hardy and Chris Garrett could be battling for one of the final roster spots in training camp, and though Garrett has potential, I like Hardy’s upside more despite him being undersized.

Cornerback (6)

Jalen Ramsey
Troy Hill
David Long Jr.
Robert Rochell
Decobie Durant
Derion Kendrick
Unless there’s a surprise undrafted rookie who emerges, I expect this to be the Rams’ cornerback group. The top four players are going to make the team, and Durant and Kendrick have the benefit of being rookie draft picks. Six cornerbacks will be plenty for the Rams.

Safety (5)

Jordan Fuller
Nick Scott
Taylor Rapp
Terrell Burgess
Quentin Lake
Safety got really crowded this offseason after the Rams drafted two players and added a handful more as undrafted free agents. Russ Yeast misses the cut in this projection, as do rookies Jairon McVea and Dan Isom, both of whom could emerge as surprise contributors this summer.

Specialists (3)

K Matt Gay
P Cameron Dicker
LS Matthew Orzech
The only question still to be answered in this group is whether Riley Dixon or Dicker wins the punting job. I’m going with youth over experience here because Dixon simply hasn’t been all that impressive in recent years. Plus, Dicker has experience as a kicker, which could provide value if Gay goes down at any point.