clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

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

With training camp underway, let’s look at the 53-man taking shape.

Los Angeles Rams Head Coach Sean McVay runs with the team during training camp, July 27, 2018.
Los Angeles Rams Head Coach Sean McVay runs with the team during training camp, July 27, 2018.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Previous versions

Post-2018 NFL Draft (April 30)

Pre-training camp (July 28)


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.