2018 Los Angeles Rams 53-Man roster projection: Training camp week 2 edition

Previous versions

Post-2018 NFL Draft (April 30)

Pre-training camp (July 28)

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QB (2)

(2017: 2 kept on initial 53-man roster)

In: Jared Goff, Sean Mannion
Out: Brandon Allen, Luis Perez
No longer on roster: N/A
Changes from last projection: N/A

The real pressure here comes starting next week for the Los Angeles Rams’ quarterbacks with preseason action. What has Mannion actually done to keep a hold of the backup spot? Whatever it is, I don’t think it’s so extensive that it couldn’t be surpassed by something out of Allen or Perez, but their performances would have to be pretty demonstrative. With Mannion in a contract year, the easy out would be to look into a new QB2 environment next offseason that could still include Allen and/or Perez.

Still, it makes for a compelling opportunity over the next month.

RB (3)

(2017: 3)

In: Todd Gurley, Malcolm Brown, John Kelly
Out: Justin Davis, Nick Holley
No longer on roster: N/A
Changes from last projection: N/A

This one’s open for competition as well, but unlike the QB battle this one carries special teams opportunities with it. We’ll have to see how the Rams’ second- and third-string offensive lines do against the Baltimore Ravens in the preseason opener next week, but this could be a major storyline heading into next weekend.

WR (6)

(2017: 6)

In: Brandin Cooks, Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, Josh Reynolds, Pharoh Cooper, Mike Thomas
Out: Steven Mitchell, Fred Brown, KhaDarel Hodge, Codey McElroy, Jojo Natson, Kendal Thompson
No longer on roster: Aaron Lacombe
Changes from last projection: N/A

Who’s gonna make plays with Mannion, Allen and Perez at the helm? It doesn’t take much to turn into an August hero (see: Nelson Spruce). Someone’s going to come out of the second group with some momentum to either (a) motivate me to change this projection or (b) make a strong push for a practice squad spot.

TE/FB (3)

(2017: 3)

In: Gerald Everett, Tyler Higbee, Temarrick Hemingway
Out: Johnny Mundt, Henry Krieger-Coble
No longer on roster: N/A
Changes from last projection: N/A

This one could be the most volatile. Rams Head Coach Sean McVay’s history with tight ends leave the door open a bit. Hemingway’s leg injury that forced him to miss all of 2017 along with Mundt’s near inclusion on the 53-man for Week 1 a year ago suggest there’s going to be a legit battle behind Everett and Higbee. And I’m not sure it’s limited to just one spot.

OL (9)

(2017: 10)

In: Andrew Whitworth, Rob Havenstein, Rodger Saffold, Jamil Demby, John Sullivan, Darrell Williams, Joseph Noteboom, Brian Allen, Austin Blythe
Out: Jake Eldrenkamp, Cornelius Lucas, Aaron Neary, Jeremiah Kolone
Suspended: Jamon Brown
No longer on roster: N/A
Changes from last projection: N/A

Always the hardest to parse in an isolated sense let alone from the application into the regular season. A third-string guard blocking a third-string defensive tackle? Nice. How would he fare against better competition? And what if that third-string DT was below average even for a third-string DT? And what of the ST battle for guys like this that won’t make splash plays?

DL (7)

(2017: 5)

In: Aaron Donald, Michael Brockers, Ndamukong Suh, Dominique Easley, Ethan Westbrooks, Sebastian Joseph-Day, John Franklin-Myers
Out: Tanzel Smart, Omarius Bryant, McKay Murphy, Chunky Clements
No longer on roster: N/A
Changes from last projection: N/A

I feel better about this group than most of the others.

OLB/EDGE (4)

(2017: 6)

In: Samson Ebukam, Matt Longacre, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Justin Lawler
Out: Brian Womac, Ejuan Price, Garrett Sickels, Trevon Young, Ryan Davis
IR: Morgan Fox
No longer on roster: N/A
Changes from last projection: Lawler IN

It’s just about making plays. Remember Westbrooks beating out Michael Sam for the job a few years back?

Who’s gonna make the plays?

ILB (5)

(2017: 4)

In: Mark Barron, Micah Kiser, Ramik Wilson, Cory Littleton, Tegray Scales
Out: Bryce Hager
No longer on roster: N/A
Changes from last projection: N/A

This is the one I’m the most excited to see. So much skill and versatility. Don’t feel good about leaving Hager out at all, but there’s a lot going on here.

CB (6)

(2017: 5)

In: Marcus Peters, Aqib Talib, Nickell Robey-Coleman, Troy Hill, Sam Shields, Dominique Hatfield
Out: Taurean Nixon, Kevin Peterson, Ramon Richards, Curtis Mikell
No longer on roster: N/A
Changes from last projection: N/A

This is a group that really should dominate the second halves of preseason action. A bit skewed based on what I was alluding to with the offensive line issue above. Yes, they should make plays. A bit of a bias working against them from being too deep/skilled.

S (5)

(2017: 6)

In: Lamarcus Joyner, John Johnson III, Marqui Christian, Blake Countess, Travin Howard
Out: Steven Parker, Isaiah Johnson, Afolabi Laguda, Nate Holley
No longer on roster: N/A
Changes from last projection: N/A

This one could be really exciting too. Lots of athleticism and the opportunity to front the ILBs in front of them in some more aggressive packages.

ST (3)

(2017: 3)

In: Greg Zuerlein, Johnny Hekker, Jake McQuaide
Out: Sam Ficken
No longer on roster: N/A
Changes from last projection: N/A

Bet.