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2018 Los Angeles Rams Roster Preview: CB Dominique Hatfield and the crowded corner conundrum

Can Hatfield hold his roster spot at the most top-heavy position on the team?

NFL: Los Angeles Rams at Minnesota Vikings Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Aqib Talib. Marcus Peters. Sam Shields. Nickell Robey-Coleman. Troy Hill.

The quality at the cornerback position for the 2018 Los Angeles Rams doesn’t make things easy for the depth. CB Dominique Hatfield is trying to find out what that means for likely one roster spot behind those five, maybe two depending on injuries. That’s...not a lot of space.

Roster Battle

The top four or five spots are likely already have favorites in the coaches eyes. Talib, Peters and Robey-Coleman aren’t going anywhere this year (I hesitate to add Sam Shields due to his injury history).

Hill was tremendous as a backup-turned-starter down the stretch. That leaves Kevin Peterson (roster preview), Curtis Mikell (roster preview), Taurean Nixon (roster preview) and Hatfield fighting for likely one spot.

The math isn’t good.

Expectations

Hatfield was pressed into playing time last year before being waived and sent to the practice squad. That experience could be the difference maker in a brutal competition for what could be the final corner spot.

The Rams might also choose to roll with only five corners, which would mean someone in the list at the top of this post would have to go.

Hatfield is likely looking at another practice squad year, and will be one of the first called up if an injury occurs in the secondary.

Chances of making the final roster (2/10)

It’s just numbers. Hatfield is playing at a position the Rams overloaded in free agency.