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By: Blaine Grisak | 2 hours ago
Training camp will be coming up shortly and with that said, the Los Angeles Rams have quite a few intense camp battles and exciting players that will be sure to catch the eye of fans and media. Here are five players to keep an eye on who could surprisingly crack the 53-man roster.
[theramswire.usatoday.com]
5. Malcolm Brown, running back
Aug 1, 2015; Earth City, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams running back Malcolm Brown (39) and St. Louis Rams running back Benny Cunningham (36) at Rams Park. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
While the Rams do have depth at the running back position with Todd Gurley and Benny Cunningham, the situation with Tre Mason leaves him most likely out of the picture. This opens up the door for someone like Brown to make the roster.
The Rams have Chase Reynolds, but he hasn’t shown much ability as a runner and can take bad penalties on special teams. If Brown can play smart on special teams and show ability as a running back, he could take Reynolds’ spot.
4. Aaron Green, running back
Sep 19, 2015; Fort Worth, TX, USA; TCU Horned Frogs running back Aaron Green (22) against the Southern Methodist Mustangs at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
The same about Brown can be said for Green. Mason being a huge question mark opens up a spot at running back. All he has to do is take advantage of the opportunity.
Both Gurley and Cunningham are seen as downhill runners, while Green would give the Rams a change-of-pace player who could break plays to the outside. He’s not going to be an every-down back in the NFL, but the Rams don’t need him to be. If there’s one undrafted player who is going to make the roster, it will be Green.
RELATED:
Buddy battle: RBs Malcolm Brown, Aaron Green remain friends while competing
3. Nelson Spruce, wide receiver
Nov 28, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Nelson Spruce (22) runs for a touchdown after a reception during the first half against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
As much as Rams fans seem to like Nelson Spruce, it’s going to be very difficult for him to make the roster. In order for that to happen, he’s going to have to beat out a guy like Bradley Marquez or Mike Thomas.
Spruce had a good showing at OTAs, while proving that he has the hands to be a good receiver. However, Marquez is good when it comes to special teams and in order for Spruce to make the roster, he will have to do the same. This is an undrafted player who has some very good potential. If he has a good training camp, he could make the final 53.
2. Josh Forrest, linebacker
Oct 11, 2014; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats linebacker Josh Forrest (45) runs or a touchdown after intercepting the ball against the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks in the first half at Commonwealth Stadium. Kentucky defeated Louisiana-Monroe 48-14. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Many questioned this pick when the Rams made it late in the 2016 NFL draft, however it was a solid pick. The team needed depth at that position and they got an athletic guy who can make plays.
The Rams need to be able to replace Darren Bates. Forrest had 202 tackles in his two years as a starter at Kentucky and has great speed and ability to make difficult open-field tackles. He’s also going to be a decent player on special teams replacing the void that Bates left.
1. Brian Randolph, safety
Oct 24, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Brian Randolph (37) celebrates his interception against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the second quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Randolph’s chances of making the roster are 50/50. It’s all going to depend on what the team does at other positions. However, with T.J. McDonald’s legal situation, Randolph could initially make the roster. He’s a player who’s going to have to impress coaches still.
He’s not fast, but he is very athletic and can make open-field tackles. That in itself, is an attractive asset to a defense or special teams unit. Randolph proved to be more than just a box safety as he led Tennessee with four interceptions. The bottom line is, he’s a playmaker who will do what it takes to make the roster, or at the very least leave the coaching staff with a very difficult decision.
Training camp will be coming up shortly and with that said, the Los Angeles Rams have quite a few intense camp battles and exciting players that will be sure to catch the eye of fans and media. Here are five players to keep an eye on who could surprisingly crack the 53-man roster.
[theramswire.usatoday.com]
5. Malcolm Brown, running back
Aug 1, 2015; Earth City, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams running back Malcolm Brown (39) and St. Louis Rams running back Benny Cunningham (36) at Rams Park. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
While the Rams do have depth at the running back position with Todd Gurley and Benny Cunningham, the situation with Tre Mason leaves him most likely out of the picture. This opens up the door for someone like Brown to make the roster.
The Rams have Chase Reynolds, but he hasn’t shown much ability as a runner and can take bad penalties on special teams. If Brown can play smart on special teams and show ability as a running back, he could take Reynolds’ spot.
4. Aaron Green, running back
Sep 19, 2015; Fort Worth, TX, USA; TCU Horned Frogs running back Aaron Green (22) against the Southern Methodist Mustangs at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
The same about Brown can be said for Green. Mason being a huge question mark opens up a spot at running back. All he has to do is take advantage of the opportunity.
Both Gurley and Cunningham are seen as downhill runners, while Green would give the Rams a change-of-pace player who could break plays to the outside. He’s not going to be an every-down back in the NFL, but the Rams don’t need him to be. If there’s one undrafted player who is going to make the roster, it will be Green.
RELATED:
Buddy battle: RBs Malcolm Brown, Aaron Green remain friends while competing
3. Nelson Spruce, wide receiver
Nov 28, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Nelson Spruce (22) runs for a touchdown after a reception during the first half against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
As much as Rams fans seem to like Nelson Spruce, it’s going to be very difficult for him to make the roster. In order for that to happen, he’s going to have to beat out a guy like Bradley Marquez or Mike Thomas.
Spruce had a good showing at OTAs, while proving that he has the hands to be a good receiver. However, Marquez is good when it comes to special teams and in order for Spruce to make the roster, he will have to do the same. This is an undrafted player who has some very good potential. If he has a good training camp, he could make the final 53.
2. Josh Forrest, linebacker
Oct 11, 2014; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats linebacker Josh Forrest (45) runs or a touchdown after intercepting the ball against the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks in the first half at Commonwealth Stadium. Kentucky defeated Louisiana-Monroe 48-14. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Many questioned this pick when the Rams made it late in the 2016 NFL draft, however it was a solid pick. The team needed depth at that position and they got an athletic guy who can make plays.
The Rams need to be able to replace Darren Bates. Forrest had 202 tackles in his two years as a starter at Kentucky and has great speed and ability to make difficult open-field tackles. He’s also going to be a decent player on special teams replacing the void that Bates left.
1. Brian Randolph, safety
Oct 24, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Brian Randolph (37) celebrates his interception against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the second quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Randolph’s chances of making the roster are 50/50. It’s all going to depend on what the team does at other positions. However, with T.J. McDonald’s legal situation, Randolph could initially make the roster. He’s a player who’s going to have to impress coaches still.
He’s not fast, but he is very athletic and can make open-field tackles. That in itself, is an attractive asset to a defense or special teams unit. Randolph proved to be more than just a box safety as he led Tennessee with four interceptions. The bottom line is, he’s a playmaker who will do what it takes to make the roster, or at the very least leave the coaching staff with a very difficult decision.
