Pre-training camp 2019 Los Angeles Rams depth chart review, 53-man roster projection

Training camp is here!

As we kick things off, I’m updating my 2019 Los Angeles Rams 53-man roster projection.

Position parentheticals denote the number of players at the position that make the 53-man. Rookies and undrafted rookies are also noted in parentheses.

Previous projections

• April 29, post-2019 NFL Draft
• June 13, post-minicamp

QB (2)

In: Jared Goff, Blake Bortles
Out: Brandon Allen, John Wolford
Changes from last projection: N/A

Eager to see how Bortles looks as a backup. No real roster battle except between Allen and Wolford for QB3.

RB (4)

In: Todd Gurley, Darrell Henderson (rookie), Malcolm Brown, John Kelly
Out: Justin Davis, Matt Colburn (UDFA)
Changes from last projection: N/A

Gurley/Henderson. Brown. Kelly/Davis. This one’s very interesting heading toward the preseason to see the non-Gurley running backs in action.

WR (6)

In: Brandin Cooks, Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, Josh Reynolds, KhaDarel Hodge, JoJo Natson
Out: Mike Thomas, Austin Proehl, Alex Bachman (UDFA), Nsimba Webster (UDFA), WR Johnathan Lloyd (UDFA)
Changes from last projection: N/A

This one could be in flux at the back. Hodge is far from a lock while Natson could get challenged as a returner.

TE/FB (3)

In: Gerald Everett, Tyler Higbee, Keenen Brown (UDFA)
Out: Johnny Mundt, Romello Brooker (UDFA), Kendall Blanton (UDFA)
Changes from last projection: N/A

I’ve got Brown as the only rookie undrafted free agent making the cut, but that’s mostly on special teams work. Blocking will be of significant value among the depth with Everett and Higbee offering sufficient receiving duties.

OL (9)

In: Andrew Whitworth, Rob Havenstein, Joseph Noteboom, Brian Allen, Austin Blythe, Bobby Evans (rookie), David Edwards (rookie), Jamil Demby, Aaron Neary
Out: Jeremiah Kolone, Chandler Brewer (UDFA), Vitas Hrynkiewicz (UDFA), Brandon Hitner (UDFA), Matt Kaskey (UDFA)
Changes from last projection: N/A

What might be most interesting is thinking about the practice squad here. I could see the Rams keeping three OL on the squad to start the year.

DL (5)

In: Aaron Donald, Michael Brockers, Sebastian Joseph-Day, John Franklin-Myers, Greg Gaines (rookie)
Out: Tanzel Smart, Bryant Jones (UDFA), Marquise Copeland (UDFA), Boogie Roberts (UDFA)
No longer on roster: Tyrell Thompson (UDFA)

Could be interesting to see the rotation in the middle. With Donald, Brockers and Franklin-Myers, we’re already well stocked at 3-4 DE. That nose position could offer a chance for some depth to shine.

LB (9)

In: Clay Matthews, Micah Kiser, Cory Littleton, Samson Ebukam, Dante Fowler, Jr., Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Morgan Fox, Dakota Allen (rookie), Bryce Hager
Out: Justin Lawler, Trevon Young, Troy Reeder (UDFA), Natrez Patrick (UDFA), Josh Carraway, Landis Durham (UDFA)
Changes from last projection: N/A

ROSTER BATTLE!!!

CB (6)

In: Marcus Peters, Aqib Talib, Nickell Robey-Coleman, David Long (rookie), Troy Hill, Dominique Hatfield
Out: Kevin Peterson, Darious Williams, Donte Deayon, Ramon Richards
Changes from last projection: N/A

This one could also offer intrigue among the depth especially with special teams implications.

S (6)

In: John Johnson III, Eric Weddle, Taylor Rapp (rookie), Marqui Christian, Nick Scott (rookie), Travin Howard
Out: Steven Parker
Changes from last projection: N/A

Not sure if Howard is truly part of this group, but perhaps we’ll get a sense of that over the next week. In any case, it’s a very, very nice trio at the top of the depth chart.

ST (3)

In: Greg Zuerlein, Johnny Hekker, Jake McQuaide
Out: N/A

Back in the saddle.

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No changes, but the only personnel move we had since minicamp was the release of Thompson.

The more important thing was just to set my projection now to see if camp changes things among the depth over the next week. Leggo!