LA Rams Playing Time Against Denver Broncos Clears Up Post-Cut Decisions

Offense

So just like last time, let’s look at who has gotten the most snaps through the preseason overall and not just the last game’s numbers per above. Here’s your top 12 from the offensive snaps:

1. G David Arkin (55.10% of offensive snaps through three games)
2. OT Darrell Williams (54.08%)
3. OT Andrew Donnal (43.88%)
4. WR Brian Quick (43.37%)
5. G Eric Kush (39.80%)
6. WR Mike Thomas (38.78%)
7. QB Jared Goff (38.27%)
8. RB Malcolm Brown (37.76%)
9. G Cody Wichmann (34.69%)
10. TE Tyler Higbee (34.69%)
11. QB Sean Mannion (34.18%)
12. C Demetrius Rhaney (33.67%)

That’s a pretty clear indication that the Rams needed to get more evaluation on that dozen. Not one of those 12 were cut yesterday in the initial chopping block. And yes, by my own roster projection, most of these will likely make the 53-man for Week 1.

But it’s blatant that the staff wanted to get these guys the most snaps to evaluate them more comprehensively and answer some core questions related to the necessary regular season decisions.

Who’s the better backup offensive tackle, Williams or Donnal?

Who’s the better backup interior offensive lineman, Arkin or Kush?

Who’s the better backup wideout, Quick or Thomas?

Who’s the better backup interior offensive lineman, Wichmann or Rhaney?

And how much experience should Jared Goff, Tyler Higbee and Sean Mannion be allowed to soak up in the preseason (answer: as much as possible)?

These are questions I’d expect to get clearer answers on from Thursday’s preseason finale as they’re likely still at the top of the staff’s question priority list.

Defense

Let’s go 15 deep on defense:

1. LB Bryce Hager (51.20%)
2. DE Matt Longacre (50.72%)
3. DT Dominique Easley (47.85%)
4. DT Cam Thomas (47.37%)
5. CB Coty Sensabaugh (46.41%)
6. DT Ethan Westbrooks (40.67%)
7. DE Quinton Coples (39.71%)
8. FS Cody Davis (38.28%)
9. CB Marcus Roberson (36.36%)
10. DE Ian Seau (35.89%)
11. CB Troy Hill (35.41%)
12. CB Lamarcus Joyner (34.45%)

I had to get down to 12 to include the obvious cornerback depth chart decision between Sensabaugh, Hill and Joyner.

And obviously, there’s an effort to sort out the D-line. With Coples not making the cut yesterday, I can only glean that these snaps were meant to isolate at least one candidate between he, Longacre, Easley, Thomas, Westbrooks and Seau who was the most clearly beyond the threshold for Week 1. Coples missing out certainly means good things for Longacre and Seau.

As for Hager and Davis, I’d guess these snaps are to identify whether both are limited as special teams candidates or could possibly provide legitimate depth on defense if pressed into action.

Special Teams

Let’s go top 6 for teams since P Johnny Hekker’s #7 with recently cut LB Darreon Herring #8 and established ST contributors come thereafter:

1. LB Brandon Chubb (55.42%)
2. LB Josh Forrest (45.78%)
3. LB Cory Littleton (37.35%)
4. CB Troy Hill (33.73%)
5. TE Justice Cunningham (32.53%)
6. DB Rohan Gaines (31.33%)

Something tells me we’ll be pointing directly at this sextet on Saturday when the 53-man cuts roll in.