After a Super Bowl run just a few years ago, the Los Angeles Rams still believe they have the core to make a deep playoff run in 2024. Draft picks are not a necessity in LA these days, so the Rams will be looking to contend while Matthew Stafford is still in town. There may not be many rookies projected to make the roster, but the Rams still have a few critical decisions to make before the 2024 NFL Season begins.
Los Angeles Rams Offense
Quarterbacks (2) - Matthew Stafford, Stenson Bennett
Outside Looking In - “Jimmy G”
With Matthew Stafford healthy, there’s little competition in the QB room for the Rams. Bennett will try to learn from an NFL legend, and the Rams will hope and pray that Stafford remains healthy for the entire season.
Obviously, Jimmy Garoppolo will make the roster once he serves his two-game suspension, but he initially will not count towards the 53-man roster for Week 1. With two veteran QBs in LA, Bennett will be under no pressure to produce immediately and can learn from Sean McVay and those above him.
Running Backs (4) - Kyren Williams, Blake Corrum, Ronnie Rivers and Boston Scott
Outside Looking in - Zach Evans
After trading up for Evans in 2023, he appears to be the odd man out to begin 2024. Scott brings unique special teams value, and Rivers has performed better in preseason and training camp.
Thankfully, with the addition of Corrum in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Rams have a secure and stable backfield heading into the season.
Wide Receivers (7)- Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, Demarcus Robinson, Tutu Atwell, Jordan Whittington, Tyler Johnson, Xavier Smith
Outside Looking in - Drake Stoops
Depth at WR was a concern for the Rams in 2023, so I expect seven receivers to remain on the roster to begin the season. Stoops and Johnson could be exchangeable, but the third game for both wideouts will be paramount to securing a roster spot.
Tight Ends (3) - Colby Parkinson, Davis Allen, Hunter Long
Outside Looking In - Nikola Kalinic
It’s likely too little, too late for Kalinic, who looked good in the Rams' second preseason game. Parkinson, Allen, and Long will share receiving and blocking heavy roles for the Rams going into 2024, but this is clearly an area of opportunity for the Sean McVay offense, which loves running 11 personnel.
Offensive Line (*9)- Alaric Jackson, Rob Havenstein, Joe Noteboom, Warren McClendon Jr., Jonah Jackson, Kevin Dotson, Zachary Thomas, Logan Bruss, Steve Avila, Beaux Limmer
Outside Looking In - N/A
Alaric Jackson's recent suspension will prevent him from being on the roster initially. This means the Rams will likely only carry nine offensive linemen at the beginning of the season, opening a roster spot elsewhere.
The Rams' offensive line was a strength just a few years ago during their Super Bowl run, and now there are more question marks than pillars of strength. Beaux Limmer will be important with his versatility at guard and center, and Logan Bruss seems safe to make the 53-man roster just a year after being cut at the end of camp.
With their need to protect Stafford and their disregard for draft picks, do not be surprised if a move is made once teams break down their rosters in the coming days.
Los Angeles Rams Special Teams
Specialist (3) - K Joshua Karty, P Ethan Evans, LS Alex Ward
There is nothing crazy here; it is not the strongest group in the world, but this will be the Rams' starting special teams unit going into Week 1 of the season.
Los Angeles Rams Defense
Interior Defensive Line (6) - Kobie Turner, Bobby Brown III, Braden Fiske, Tyler Davis, Desjuan Johnson, Carlos Watkins,
Outside Looking in - Larrell Murchison and Corey Durden
This will likely be one of the most contested and disagreed upon group going into final cuts, with Watkins stealing a 6th spot likely only available because of suspensions for other players.
The Rams' defensive line has looked good, but with McVay’s propensity for rotating linemen and utilizing as much depth as possible, I think Watkins sneaks in over Murchison and Durden for his versatility shown in preseason. Either way, Murchison and Durden are likely key targets to return to the practice squad.
EDGE (5) - Byron Young, Jared Verse, Michael Hoecht, Brennan Jackson, Nick Hampton
Outside Looking in - N/A
There are very few questions here. This is one of the most cut-and-dry groups for the Los Angeles Rams. McVay loves his edge-rushing group, and I expect incredible things from Brennan Jackson and Nick Hampton in 2024.
Linebackers (4)- Ernest Jones, Christian Rozeboom, Troy Reeder, Omar Speights
Outside Looking in - Jacob Hummel
With a stout defensive line and edge group, there isn’t room for five off-ball linebackers in this group. Hummel will be the odd man out, with Les Snead already publicly guaranteeing Speights a spot on the roster. Reeder, Jones, and Rozeboom didn’t play in any of the preseason games, making it look like the battle is for the 4th spot.
Cornerback (6) - Darious Williams, Tre’Davious White, Quentin Lake, Cobie Durant, Tre Tomlinson, Josh Wallace
Outside Looking in - N/A
There is some debate about the definition of some of the Rams' DBs, with multiple guys able to play safety and then nickel DB in the Rams' “STAR” position on defense. Chris Shula will have plenty of options on dynamic corners/defensive backs to fly around the field. Lake may be more of a safety, but his coverage ability makes it much easier to label him a true corner. Having dominant corners in Darious Williams and Tre'Davious White will make it much easier for the ballhawks on the back end.
Safeties (4)- Kamren Curl, John Johnson III, Kamren Kinchens, Russ Yeast
Outside looking in - N/A
This is an unproven but really exciting group. At one time, Kamren Kinchens was a draft darling for every fan in the 2024 draft process. Kamren Curl will be the group's leader, and with so much versatility, there is plenty of excitement surrounding this group. With a new system, the unproven guys will have plenty of opportunities to make their name in Shula’s scheme.
Lake recently spoke about his experience in the DB room and what that means for the group this year.
"Obviously I've had my fair share of snaps at safety, at nickel, at a bunch of different positions. But Chris Shula, our defensive coordinator, and (head coach) Sean McVay, who I think is one of, if not the best coach in the NFL, really leaned on me this offseason to kind of lead that room," Lake explained during Friday's appearance on NFL Network's The Insiders. "And that's something that I want to do, I want to have that leadership role, have that vocal leadership in the backend to help our team win games."
Again, with Les Snead’s general distaste for draft picks, do not be surprised if some more moves are made. Stay tuned to TDT Media and all of our NFL coverage this season for the latest news on the NFL and all sports news!
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