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Los Angeles Rams FB Sam Rogers is in a peculiar position.
He stands as the handpicked chess piece that new Head Coach Sean McVay loves to use in his offense. He likes players that can play all over, and Rogers – while far from a great athlete – displayed at Virginia Tech that he is every bit of an excellent player that can be used all over the field. It’s not often in this day and age that a team gets excited about a fullback, but it makes sense when you throw on the tape and watch what Rogers was able to do in the ACC from a variety of spots on the field. He’s also an exceptional blocker, in both the pass and run game.
Roster Battle
As far as the backfield goes, the real battle is at the backup tailback positions. However, the battle for the fullback position is open as well, though being the handpicked player – to compete for the job – by McVay certainly gives Rogers an inside track on the job.
He will be battling veteran Cory Harkey and second-year fullback Zach Laskey. McVay did go out of his way to give Laskey an unprompted shout out during OTAs, which might be a sign that he too could be the moveable piece that McVay loves to use.
Expectations
Due to the amount of blocking the position does and the lack of athleticism across the board to show off in shorts, this unit will not really get the opportunity to shine until the pads come on. Special teams is really going to separate these guys as well as laying some physical blocks when given the opportunity. Camp will be an interesting time for these guys.
Chance of Making The Final Roster (8/10)
With the skill set he showed in the ACC over the last four years as well as his well-documented special teams ability and of course being handpicked, Rogers has a very strong chance of making the final roster and being an underrated piece to what is expected to be an upgraded offense.
Either he would likely have to really fall on his face and bomb out to lose the battle, or Zach Laskey will have to continue to surprise the coaching staff and make Rogers expandable which is still very likely.