2015 Rams Roster Preview: DE Matt Longacre Continues Odds-Off Climb Into NFL

Nothing is going to be handed to me. I’m going to have to outwork the majority of the guys to make a team. I’ve strived on that aspect.

The end goal is to make the team...You've got to keep fighting. I've got fall camp and preseason games to kind of try to make your mark.

It's never been easy for Matt Longacre.

Unheralded out of Omaha, Nebraska, he landed in Maryville, Missouri, at Northwest Missouri State University in 2010. Five years later, he left as the program record holder in sacks, tackles for loss and forced fumbles. Now again finding himself having to fight to scrape out a role, Longacre's at the back of perhaps the league's best defensive line.

If anything, he's proven that he's willing to fight to earn a spot.

Roster Battle

The Rams rode with nine defensive linemen last season in four tackles (Michael Brockers, Alex Carrington, Aaron Donald and Kendall Langford) and five ends (William Hayes, Chris Long, Robert Quinn, Eugene Sims and Ethan Westbrooks). Only Carrington and Langford have departed with Nick Fairley assured to take one of those spots.

The question is if the Rams want to extend a spot to a fourth tackle or use it for a defensive end.

Expectations

No.

Chances of Making Final Roster (2/10)

If the Rams go nine-wide on the line for the 53-man roster again, it's a fight between Longacre, Louis Trinca-Pasat, Martin Ifedi (roster preview) and Doug Worthington (roster preview). For the latter two, Papa gave Ifedi a 2/10 and I did the same for Worthington. I'll roll with the same for Longacre who I'd guess has as much of a shot.

Looking at the depth here versus the top tier, you have to wonder if this is a position that's going to cede a spot elsewhere on the roster where that depth might be relied upon more than it would here.