Following their final preseason game in Cincinnati on Saturday night, the Rams have until Tuesday afternoon to pare their roster down to 53 players. It seems unlikely they’ll wait that long, with the opener against the Bills on Sept. 8 creating a shorter-than-usual ramp-up period for full installations over the next few days.
My best guess at the initial 53-man, barring the possibility of late-summer trade opportunities:
Quarterback (3): Matthew Stafford, Bryce Perkins, John Wolford
We could ultimately get a surprise here in the coming days, but based on the looks both players give the Rams’ defense each day of practice, it seems valuable to keep both backups and to keep their cards close to the vest in case interested teams start sniffing around. I will note, however, a slight change on this depth chart.
(To be QUITE clear, again, that doesn’t mean the “emergency” situation isn’t important, too. Both can be true.)
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) August 27, 2022
Running back (4): Cam Akers, Darrell Henderson, Kyren Williams, Jake Funk
Williams got a lot of work with Stafford over the last two weeks of practice, indicating he’s leapfrogged over Funk on the depth chart (even though Funk started Saturday, which also on this team serves as an indication). Funk has run well in his opportunities and has really excelled on special teams.
Since watching Kyren Williams actually practice post-injury from that live scrimmage into this week of joint practices, I’ve had him penciled in as RB3. Smooth, confident in pass game and melded right in with heavy dose of reps with Stafford and Co in practice.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) August 27, 2022
Wide receiver (8): Cooper Kupp, Allen Robinson, Van Jefferson, Ben Skowronek, Brandon Powell, Tutu Atwell, Jacob Harris, Lance McCutcheon
Jefferson’s rehab from an early-camp knee procedure has gone well, but I still think the Rams will exercise caution with Jefferson, who did make the trip to Cincinnati, ahead of the opener.
I have Powell and Skowronek ahead of Atwell on this chart because they both play special teams (Powell is the leadoff kick/punt returner), and because Skowronek has quite clearly been asked to play multiple receiving roles while Atwell, for all his speed and potential, is a bit of an unknown as an “every down” player.
McCutcheon, who had a truly special preseason (and backed it up every day at practice), can get on this roster in part because Harris could always factor in toward the “tight end” numbers if the Rams only keep two. If the third tight end was already supposed to be a pass-catching mismatch player, it doesn’t matter if that player is labeled a TE3 or a WR7. Importantly, Harris and McCutcheon also both play special teams. The Rams need players to fill spots in that phase minus some of the now-starting safeties/inside linebackers who will not.
“It seems like Lance is doing his part to make it easy,” says GM Les Snead on the broadcast as McCutcheon snares a tough grab, then, “Sean likes receivers, so it’s OK to have as many as possible in that room.”
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) August 27, 2022
Tight end (2): Tyler Higbee, Brycen Hopkins
Hopkins should really be commended for the quality of camp and preseason he put together. Higbee is a “complete” tight end, and Hopkins is well on his way, which helps the Rams balance their numbers.
A sleeper here, depending on what the team ultimately does at receiver or with its last open spots elsewhere, is versatile tight end Roger Carter Jr., who also plays special teams.
Offensive line (8): Joe Noteboom, David Edwards, Brian Allen, Coleman Shelton, Rob Havenstein, AJ Jackson, Tremayne Anchrum, AJ Arcuri
With Logan Bruss (ACL/MCL) out for the year, Anchrum will slide into a swingman/depth role on the interior and has drawn praise from McVay this preseason.
The bottom spots of this position group could really go a variety of ways. The way I see it, if a veteran such as Bobby Evans is playing about as many preseason snaps as a rookie such as Arcuri, that says more about the veteran being in danger of losing a spot than the rookie.
It’s also pretty conservative of me to list just eight on the active roster, but veteran practice squad rules might help with depth in case of an emergency.
Defensive line (6): Aaron Donald, Greg Gaines, A’Shawn Robinson, Marquise Copeland, Michael Hoecht, Jonah Williams
Hoecht and Williams have drawn a lot of consistent praise from coaches and teammates all spring and summer. Hoecht has also taken on an impact role on special teams.
Outside linebacker (5): Leonard Floyd, Justin Hollins, Terrell Lewis, Chris Garrett, Daniel Hardy
Keir Thomas has showed an ability to slide into this spot, at least in the short-term (Benton Whitley is also a candidate and plays special teams). These players could initially be waived, as Hardy has to make the initial roster to avoid a season-long injured reserve designation. Outside of Floyd, this group is really unproven. Lewis and Garrett both have dealt with injury concerns this summer, with Lewis’ a chronic issue that the Rams manage. I continue to maintain that the Rams will be aggressive in their exploration of whether to add a pass rusher at the trade deadline, especially considering the quarterback slate after that mark.
Inside linebacker (3): Bobby Wagner, Ernest Jones, Christian Rozeboom
Keeping less active inside linebackers means more players who need to play special teams elsewhere (like at receiver, as illustrated above). Travin Howard may not be ready to take a spot right away as he continues to heal from groin surgery. Jake Hummel is a top candidate for the practice squad, if the Rams only keep three on the active. If they keep four, it’s likely Hummel has a spot on the initial roster.
Safety (5): Jordan Fuller, Nick Scott, Taylor Rapp, Terrell Burgess, Russ Yeast
It’s a tight squeeze, but the Rams are loaded with younger defensive backs who figure into their longer-term plans (see also: cornerbacks).
Cornerback (6): Jalen Ramsey, Troy Hill, David Long Jr., Robert Rochell, Cobie Durant, Derion Kendrick
Six cornerbacks is a lot, but Rochell, Durant and Kendrick can play special teams. The Rams can’t risk losing the rookies while on waivers with Hill and Long Jr. on the last year of their deals and the long-term future in mind.
Specialists (3): Matt Gay, Riley Dixon, Matt Orzech
(Photo of Bryce Perkins: Ian Johnson / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
