2019 Los Angeles Rams roster preview: S Steven Parker faces long odds

As an undrafted three-year starter from the Oklahoma Sooners football program, S Steven Parker was able to impress enough in training camp and preseason in 2018 to earn himself a practice squad spot. His 2018 preseason seen him earn time late in games, though the final week likely sealed his spot on the practice squad as he registered an interception and pass deflection. Unluckily for Parker — and the remaining safeties on the backend of the roster — the position is stacked for the Los Angeles Rams.

Roster Battle

The two undoubted starters on the roster are veteran signee S Eric Weddle and upcoming superstar S John Johnson III. The Rams also invested a second-round pick in S Taylor Rapp who’s sure to see playing time in subpackages, among being groomed to be a full-time starter in the future. Marqui Christian has been a coaching staff favorite as he registered over 350 snaps in 2018 playing as a subpackage linebacker and big dime defender. Nick Scott was a seventh-round pick by the Rams in 2019, likely due to a glowing review from Special Teams Coordinator John Fassel.

Expectations

There really aren’t any. Parker needs to impress during training camp and preseason to give himself a fighting chance of making the practice squad. He’s probably got the first shot at earning that spot, so long as the Rams choose to carry a safety on the practice squad.

Chances of making the final roster (2/10)

Weddle, JJ3, and Rapp are absolute locks to make the roster. After them, Christian is very likely to earn a spot, too. That means Parker and Nick Scott will duke it out for the fifth roster spot at safety.