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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
It’s amazing what having experienced QB coaches around can do for a young QB’s performance. A year after letting Jared Goff flounder with next to no coaching experience to guide him, Sean McVay has surrounded Goff and Mannion with Matt LaFleur and Greg Olson - prompting great results to date.
RB
(2016: 4, 2015: 5, 2014: 5)
2017 Projection: 4
In: Todd Gurley, Malcolm Brown, Justin Davis, Aaron Green
Out: Lance Dunbar, De’Mard Llorens, Lenard Tillery
No Longer on Roster: N/A
Change from Last Projection: Dunbar OUT, Davis IN
I wavered with swapping Davis and Dunbar last week and decided against it. Davis’ display of burst, receiving ability, and shiftiness makes him a better option than the oft-injured Dunbar. I initially thought there would be some cap relief here that could be used for Aaron Donald, but unfortunately the Rams guaranteed $1.375M of Dunbar’s $1.5M salary up front.
WR
(2016: 7, 2015: 6, 2014: 5)
2017 Projection: 6
In: Sammy Watkins, Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, Tavon Austin, Pharoh Cooper, 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: C.J. Germany, Justin Thomas
Change from Last Projection: N/A
No change in the prediction, but the change in perception from 6 months ago is drastic. I daresay that this group may be dangerous in 2017.
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
Everett continues to impress and Higbee seems to be settling into the offense. Also, cutting Harkey frees up $1.3 for a Donald extension. (I’m desperate! Don’t judge me)
OL
(2016: 10, 2015: 10, 2014: 9)
2017 Projection: 9
In: Andrew Whitworth, Rodger Saffold, John Sullivan, Jamon Brown, Rob Havenstein, 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
There’s still wiggle room with these last 2 spots, but count Murphy out of contention. He’s looked terrible.
DL
(2016: 8, 2015: 8, 2014: 10)
2017 Projection: 6
In: Aaron Donald, Ethan Westbrooks, Michael Brockers, Louis Trinca Pasat, Mike Purcell, Tanzel Smart
Out: Morgan Fox, Cashaud Lyons, Omarius Bryant, A.J. Jefferson, Casey Sayles
No Longer on Roster: N/A
Change from Last Projection: N/A
Donald’s absence will continue to be felt as long as he is holding out. You just can’t replace the best defensive lineman in the league with Louis Trinca-Pasat. LTP and Tanzel Smart have done well filling in, but this Defense needs Donald.
LB
(2016: 5, 2015: 6, 2014: 5)
2017 Projection: 9
In: Robert Quinn, Connor Barwin, Alec Ogletree, Mark Barron, Matt Longacre, Samson Ebukam, Josh Forrest, Bryce Hager, Ejuan Price
Out: Cassanova McKinzy, Carlos Thompson, Nic Grigsby, Cory Littleton, Kevin Davis, Folarin Orimolade, Andy Mulumba, Davis Tull
No Longer on Roster: N/A
Change from Last Projection: N/A
With Matt Longacre impressing, I get the feeling that one of the youngsters here may end up on the practice squad. Given the uncertainty at the position though, I’m sticking with 9 for the time being.
If the Rams decide to go with 8 instead of 9, look for that extra slot to go to the injury-ridden CB group.
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, Carlos Davis
No Longer on Roster: E.J. Gaines (Trade)
Change from Last Projection: E.J. Gaines OUT, Troy Hill IN
Troy Hill is continuing to show that he can’t be depended upon, but the utter lack of established competition behind him makes it difficult to bump him for anyone currently on the roster.
That being said, if the Rams sign a veteran... say Leodis McKelvin.... then Hill will surely be on the other side of this equation.
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
Cody Davis looked meh against the Raiders. If anyone in this group is in danger it’s likely him.
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
Yep. These three will still be Rams on September 2.
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