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QB
(2016: 3 kept on initial 53-man roster, 2015: 3, 2014: 2)
2017 Projection: 2
In: Jared Goff, Sean Mannion
Out: Dan Orlovsky
No Longer on Roster: N/A
Change from Last Projection: N/A
Yes Mannion looked good against the Cowboys’ backups, but Goff is clearly the starter. Anyone thinking otherwise needs a reality check.
RB
(2016: 4, 2015: 5, 2014: 5)
2017 Projection: 4
In: Todd Gurley, Malcolm Brown, Lance Dunbar, Aaron Green
Out: Justin Davis, De’Mard Llorens, Lenard Tillery
No Longer on Roster: N/A
Change from Last Projection: N/A
I’m not changing anything here yet. But if Davis can keep producing like he did in Week 1 (70 yards on 9 carries) and eliminate the fumbles, he may put Lance Dunbar on the street.
WR
(2016: 7, 2015: 6, 2014: 5)
2017 Projection: 6
In: Sammy Watkins, Robert Woods, Tavon Austin, Pharoh Cooper, Cooper Kupp, Josh Reynolds
Out: C.J. Germany, Justin Thomas, K.D Cannon, Paul McRoberts, Shakeir Ryan, Brandon Shippen, Nelson Spruce
Suspended: Mike Thomas
No Longer on Roster: N/A
Change from Last Projection: Watkins IN, Spruce OUT
This is quite possibly the deepest talent pool the Rams have had at WR since the Greatest Show on Turf. There are a ton of questions to be answered yet, but bumping everyone down a rung by adding a legit #1 WR helps tremendously.
Also of note: Kupp seems pretty well locked in as the slot WR. We may see Tavon Austin fade quickly under McVay.....
TE/FB
(2016: 4, 2015: 3, 2014: 5)
2017 Projection: 4
In: Tyler Higbee, Temarrick Hemingway, Gerald Everett, Sam Rogers
Out: Cory Harkey, Travis Wilson, Johnny Mundt
No Longer on Roster: N/A
Change from Last Projection: N/A
Par for the course for this group. Everett’s lack of snaps with the first team offense leads me to believe he has some work to do to earn a full-time role.
OL
(2016: 10, 2015: 10, 2014: 9)
2017 Projection: 9
In: Andwer Whitworth, Rodger Saffold, John Sullivan, Rob Havenstein, Jamon Brown, Andrew Donnal, Cody Wichmann, Jake Eldrenkamp, Alex Kozan
Out: Darrell Williams, Pace Murphy, Parker Collins, Michael Dunn, Austin Blythe
No Longer on Roster: N/A
Change from Last Projection: N/A
With the not-so-surprising swap of Havenstein an Brown, the Rams OL is set. Not much movement on the back end of the OL - though Donnal better get healthy quickly if he wants to avoid being cut.
DL
(2016: 8, 2015: 8, 2014: 10)
2017 Projection: 7
In: Aaron Donald, Ethan Westbrooks, Michael Brockers, Louis Trinca Pasat, Mike Purcell, Tanzel Smart, Matt Longacre
Out: Morgan Fox, Cashaud Lyons, Omarius Bryant, A.J. Jefferson, Casey Sayles
No Longer on Roster:
Change from Last Projection: N/A
I don’t think anyone did more for their stock against the Cowboys than Matt Longacre. He’s quickly becoming one of those hybrid playmakers that are essential in a 3-4.
LB
(2016: 5, 2015: 6, 2014: 5)
2017 Projection: 8
In: Robert Quinn, Connor Barwin, Alec Ogletree, Mark Barron, Samson Ebukam, Josh Forrest, Bryce Hager, Ejuan Price
Out: Cassanova McKinzy, Carlos Thompson, Nic Grigsby, Cory Littleton, Kevin Davis, Folarin Orimolade, Andy Mulumba
No Longer on Roster: N/A
Change from Last Projection: N/A
Nothing earth shattering here. The starters are set and their backups have a firm hold on their roster spots at this point.
CB
(2016: 5, 2015: 4, 2014: 6)
2017 Projection: 5
In: Trumaine Johnson, Kayvon Webster, Nickell Robey-Coleman, Michael Jordan, Troy Hill
Out: Blake Countess, Kevin Peterson, Aarion Penton
No Longer on Roster: E.J. Gaines (Trade)
Change from Last Projection: E.J. Gaines OUT, Troy Hill IN
Here’s the other side of the Watkins trade. Gaines was tracking to be the Rams 4th CB so it’s not a huge loss, but it does bring some depth concerns to the forefront. Hill started a few games last season, but didn’t exactly play well in those stints.
S
(2016: 4, 2015: 5, 2014: 4)
2017 Projection: 5
In: Lamarcus Joyner, Maurice Alexander, Cody Davis, John Johnson, Marqui Christian
Out: Isaiah Johnson, Dominique Hatfield
No Longer on Roster: N/A
Change from Last Projection: N/A
The departure of Gaines only further solidifies this group.
ST
(2016: 3, 2015: 3, 2014: 3)
2017 Projection: 3
In: Greg Zuerlein, Johnny Hekker, Jake McQuaide
Out: Travis Coons
No Longer on Roster: N/A
Change from Last Projection: N/A
And then there were 4..... For now. Coons is only a camp leg and will not be around for long.
Practice Squad
RB Lenard Tillery, WR Brandon Shippen, WR Nelson Spruce, TE Johnny Mundt, OT Michael Dunn, DE A.J. Jefferson, OLB Cory Littleton, LB Nic Grigsby, CB Kevin Peterson, S Dominique Hatfield