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We've finally reached meaningful football activities. Now a few days into 2016 Los Angeles Rams Training Camp, we’ll take a look at a few early developments with some of the potential position battles.
Quarterbacks
Unless you've ignored all the signs, it's no surprise Case Keenum opened camp as the number one QB. First overall pick Jared Goff is currently taking second team reps. If Goff is to become the starter for Week 1, expect the Rams to wait until after the third preseason game.
Wide Receivers
Kenny Britt and Tavon Austin have a firm grip on the top two spots. After that is a logjam of underperforming and unknown receivers. Fourth-round draft pick Pharoh Cooper has made a positive early impression on Head Coach Jeff Fisher while UDFA Duke Williams is impressing ST coach John Fassel and CB Trumaine Johnson. Bradley Marquez is also making the most of his reps with the first-team offense according to the team.
Tight Ends
Lance Kendricks moves into the number one TE role now that Jared Cook is gone, but fourth-round draft pick Tyler Higbee is posing a challenge for first team reps. As mentioned before with Cooper, Higbee is also impressing Fisher as he recovers from a knee injury during his last college season.
Defensive Backs
As 2014-starting CB E.J. Gaines works his way back to football shape, there has been a solid rotation between he and new CB Coty Sensabaugh for the CB2 role opposite Johnson. Fisher has stated the Rams will ease his workload in the next "week or so" but that Gaines is set up to recapture his old starting position. At safety, with T.J. McDonald back with the team, S Cody Davis and S Maurice Alexander are each getting steady looks at FS with the first team defense.
Looking Ahead
We will continue to monitor these early battles along with other position groups as camp progresses and the Rams begin preseason games. The QB and FS battle will likely be the most compelling to watch unfold. Figuring out the depth at LB and WR will surely become heated too as more padded practices are on the way.