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With the departure of DE Chris Long and MLB James Laurinaitis, G Rodger Saffold is suddenly the longest-tenured Ram. Saffold and DE Eugene Sims are the only members of the Rams' 2010 NFL Draft class remaining with the team. Both have earned second contracts with the Rams, but are pretty much polar opposites.
Where Sims has been durable during his career and provides the defensive line with a steady veteran presence in reserve, Saffold is the ultimate boom or bust player. You're either going to get a guard capable of playing at a Pro Bowl level or a $6M cap hit sitting on injured reserve.
Roster Battle
Saffold is firmly entrenched as the starting left guard. The only way he's not suiting up and starting for Week 1 is if he's injured.
That being said, there's a huge elephant in the room with this OL. The Rams have a wealth of young depth at guard, primarily in Jamon Brown, Andrew Donnal, and Cody Wichmann (roster preview). These three gentlemen may make Saffold expendable in 2017 and it'd be naive to think that Saffold isn't looking over his shoulder this season.
Expectations
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Chances of Making Final Roster (10/10)
Saffold's contract dictates that he stay with the team in 2016. However, his $6.2M cap hit in 2017 may become prohibitive for an organization trying to keep it's core together.
Saffold better play his ass off and stay healthy if he wants to play out the entirety of his contract.