2017 Los Angeles Rams Roster Bubble Update Finale

We made it. Through the preseason and offseason, now the regular season begins in the NFL.

The Los Angeles Rams have gone through a coaching change, which unfortunately doesn’t bode well for many players who don’t have some familiarity with the coaches.

Nelson Spruce

After starring in 2016’s Rams vs. Dallas Cowoys game, Spruce became an instant cult hero. Now, he stands unlikely (on paper) to make the roster. While Spruce is the big bodied possesion receiver many feel the Rams lack, the drafting of Cooper Kupp and Josh Reynolds, along with the trade for Sammy Watkins makes the receiver room a bit too crowded. Barring something crazy, I can’t see Spruce making the roster.

Travis Coons

Don’t.

Make.

Sense.

In all likelihood, Coons was signed just to kick a couple times last night to give Johnny Hekker and Greg Zuerlein some rest. A solid kicker for the Cleveland Browns last year, Coons will likely be the first Rams emergency kicker call if Hekker or Zuerlein get injured. No NFL team carries two kickers or two punters so there’s about zero chance he sticks despite the re-signing.

Jake Eldrenkamp

Offensive line has been a problem spot for the Rams. Despite Jeff Fisher’s efforts to draft five in one draft, Fisher always found a surprise gem via the UDFA route. Whether it be Pace Murphy for 2016 (who we still don’t know if he’s a real person from a real school) or Darrell Williams in 2015 (who the Rams kept despite drafting 5 OL that year), the Rams are so desperate that they backdoor into finding additional help.

That being said, it seems that Eldrenkamp has continued to impress through camp and the preseason games. He started in the finale with four other veterans including Wichmann (who actually has started 18 games the past two seasons). Eldrenkamp is on the fence but I believe will make it as a versatile player.

Justin Davis

Justin Davis, the former USC Trojan, has been the preseason for the Rams. While flashing explosive playmaking ability, Davis also fumbled twice in the preseason opener. With Lance Dunbar likely not coming off the PUP list, Davis may serve as the emergency/change-of-pace back with Gurley being the do-it-all and Malcolm Brown as more of the “north-south” guy.

Overall

The Rams will likely keep an under the radar guy on the roster. While many starters and draft picks have defined roles on the team, the interesting part is how the rest of the roster is constructed.

Will the Rams really keep 6-7 wideouts? What about the OL, where they’ve had ten the past two seasons? How many linebackers are we keeping? Will there be a limited number of “cornerbacks” because Lamarcus Joyner can play both?

These are the types of questions that the Rams coaching staff will have to make as they fill out the roster. However, all in all, there has been a noticeable improvement in the talent level this year and it definitely has translated on the field. Let’s hope this continues into the regular season.