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8 Rams veterans on the roster bubble in camp
Could Brian Allen be a surprise cut this year?
theramswire.usatoday.com
The pads come on for Monday’s practice during Rams training camp, which is the next step ahead of the 2020 regular season. Players won’t be going full speed with contact yet, but it’s now easier for coaches to evaluate players on the field in practice.
As a result, those on the roster bubble will begin to emerge. Undrafted rookies are always on the bubble, but these veterans could be right there with them as their roster spots are hardly secured.
Here are eight veterans who need to worry about potentially being cut in September before the season begins.
C Brian Allen
A starter in 2019, Allen now finds himself on the roster bubble. Austin Blythe has clearly grabbed hold of the starting center job after revealing that’s the reason the Rams re-signed him, leaving Allen as a backup. Allen doesn’t have the position versatility that some of the Rams’ other linemen have, which puts him behind the eight ball.
Undrafted rookie Cohl Cabral could take his roster spot, as could Coleman Shelton. Allen really struggled last season before getting hurt and the Rams might feel it’s time to move on from the 2018 third-round pick.
WR Nsimba Webster
Webster received a subtle vote of confidence when the Rams waived Greg Dortch, who was expected to be the top competitor for the return specialist role. With Dortch out of the picture, the job seems to be Webster’s to lose. However, the Rams have four undrafted rookie receivers on the roster who may be able to contribute more on offense than Webster.
And Darrell Henderson has experience on kickoff returns, while Cooper Kupp could conceivably return punts if Webster is cut. He has a decent chance to make the roster, but Webster’s spot is far from secured.
RB John Kelly
Xavier Jones is one of the most intriguing undrafted rookies on the roster, especially after making it through the first round of roster cuts. Kelly has remained on the roster the last two years, but his time might be coming to an end with all the depth Los Angeles has at running back now.
Malcolm Brown, Henderson and Cam Akers are all essentially locks to make the roster, and it’s possible the Rams will only carry three running backs with another one on the practice squad. Kelly will need to really shine in camp to earn a roster spot, otherwise Jones could take his place as RB4.
OLB Justin Lawler
Lawler is in a deep group of edge rushers that has a lot still to be sorted out. Ogbonnia Okoronkwo and Terrell Lewis are likely ahead of Lawler on the depth chart, with Leonard Floyd and Samson Ebukam atop the list, too. For Lawler, it’ll probably come down to whether he can beat out Natrez Patrick and Jachai Polite for the fifth or sixth outside linebacker spot.
Lawler is a decent run defender, but he’s only played 33 defensive snaps in two seasons and hasn’t contributed much up to this point. He must provide some pass rush in practice in order to make the team.
ILB Kenny Young
Young was part of the trade that sent Marcus Peters to the Ravens, but he never appeared on defense for the Rams last year. The inside linebacker group is one of the weakest on the team, but not because it lacks depth.
Young is competing with Travin Howard and Troy Reeder, who both played snaps on defense last year. Rookie Clay Johnston’s job is probably more secure than Young’s too, while Micah Kiser is likely to be the starter. Young has to impress the Rams’ new coaching staff.
OLB Jachai Polite
Polite couldn’t stick with the Jets as a third-round pick in 2019, getting waived in the final round of cuts. The Seahawks scooped him up, but he only lasted three weeks on their practice squad. The Rams seem to have more faith in Polite than any other team, keeping him on the practice squad all year, but he could wind up back there if he can’t rise to the occasion in camp.
Polite needs to show he can stay in shape, put in the work to succeed and contribute on defense, not just special teams. Like Lawler, he’s in competition with some talented young pass rushers.
S Jake Gervase
Gervase was already cut once this offseason before being re-signed last week, so it’s clear he’s on the roster bubble. The Rams added Jordan Fuller and Terrell Burgess this offseason, as well as Tyrique McGhee and Juju Hughes after the draft.
Nick Scott’s spot should be secure thanks to his special teams contributions, leaving Gervase on shaky ground. The Rams are highly likely to carry five or fewer safeties this season, and Gervase is currently on the outside looking in.
OL Jamil Demby
It seems like Demby is always on the bubble and that’ll remain the case this season. Cohl Cabral is an intriguing undrafted free agent, while Tremayne Anchrum comes aboard as a seventh-round pick. Demby has good versatility, but so do a lot of the Rams’ linemen.
He has struggled in the opportunities he’s received, particularly in the preseason last year. His time might be running out in Los Angeles.
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