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2017 Los Angeles Rams Training Camp Media Guide Lists WR Cooper Kupp, CB Kayvon Webster As Starters

The Rams’ media team has their projected starting lineups and it sets up a couple key battles heading into camp.

Los Angeles Rams WR Cooper Kupp
Los Angeles Rams WR Cooper Kupp
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Rams have released their media guide for training camp, and along with it our first suggested starting lineup from the Rams’ communications department:

Offense

QB: Jared Goff
RB: Todd Gurley
WR: Robert Woods, Tavon Austin, Cooper Kupp
TE: Tyler Higbee
LT: Andrew Whitworth
LG: Rodger Saffold
C: John Sullivan
RG: Rob Havenstein
RT: Jamon Brown
Key Contributors: OL Andrew Donnal, WR Pharoh Cooper, TE Gerald Everett

Defense

DT: Michael Brockers
DE: Aaron Donald, Dominique Easley
ILB: Alec Ogletree, Mark Barron
OLB: Robert Quinn, Connor Barwin
CB: Trumaine Johnson, Kayvon Webster
S: Lamarcus Joyner, Maurice Alexander
Key Contributors: CB Nickell Robey-Coleman, DE Ethan Westbrooks, CB E.J. Gaines

  • Worth remembering that a year ago at this time, QB Jared Goff wasn’t on the starting lineup...
  • While the inclusion of third-round 2017 NFL Draft pick WR Cooper Kupp as a starter is a bit of a surprise though I don’t know if I’ve ever seen preseason hype as high for a 69th overall pick in the draft or the seventh WR taken overall. Perhaps more surprising personally is that the Rams list three starting wide receivers. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Rams use two tight ends (or more) either more often than not or at least to start games.
  • Speaking of tight ends, is Higbee, a fourth-round rookie a year ago who caught all of 11 passes for less than 100 yards all year, really going to start in front of Everett, the 44th overall pick in the draft? That might be the biggest surprise of the lot.
  • Pharoh Cooper gets the Key Contributors nod over rookie Josh Reynolds, Mike Thomas or Nelson Spruce...
  • No real surprises in the starting front seven. Perhaps the inclusion of Westbrooks among the Key Contributors...
  • And yes, Joyner kicks back from cornerback to safety as Webster gets the nod across Tru.
  • NRC and E.J. Gaines both make the Key Contributors over any of the rookies or any linebackers.
  • The biggest omission? Rookie S John Johnson. The 69th overall pick in the draft is a starter who one NFL Network pundit thinks will lead all rookies in receptions while the guy taken 22 spots later isn’t even in the mix. That’s unusual.

Any surprises for you? Anything stand out, keeping in mind this is a projection from the communications department and not the coaching staff?