ESPN predicts Rams' 53-man roster

[Prime Time]

http://www.espn.com/blog/los-angele...rams-53-man-roster-projection-final-cuts-2018

Rams' 53-man roster projection includes Aaron Donald
Lindsey Thiry/ESPN

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

QUARTERBACK (3): Jared Goff, Sean Mannion, Brandon Allen

Goff is the franchise quarterback. Mannion, a fourth-year pro, struggled at times during the preseason and hasn't provided much assurance that he could lead the team to victory if Goff were unavailable. Allen provides another option if needed.

RUNNING BACK (4): Todd Gurley, Malcolm Brown, Justin Davis, John Kelly

Gurley received a four-year, $60-million extension the day before camp opened and was expected to stay on the field as much as possible. Brown, a fourth-year pro, is a proven backup. Davis and Kelly each earn a roster spot because of their special teams contributions.

WIDE RECEIVER (6): Brandin Cooks, Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, Josh Reynolds, Michael Thomas, Pharoh Cooper

The starting trio of Cooks, Woods and Kupp has the potential to be among the best in the league. Cooks was acquired in a trade with the New England Patriots. A second-year pro, Kupp elevates to a full-time starter.

TIGHT END (3): Tyler Higbee, Gerald Everett, Temarrick Hemingway

This group was among the most improved during camp. (say what?) :eek: Higbee could provide a red zone target. Hemingway returns after sitting out last season because of a broken fibula.

OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Andrew Whitworth, Rodger Saffold, John Sullivan, Rob Havenstein, Cornelius Lucas, Austin Blythe, Joseph Noteboom, Brian Allen, Jamil Demby

It's a veteran starting lineup followed mostly by rookies. The Rams' starting five was the only group in the league to start 15 games last season. That won't be the case this year, with Jamon Brown serving a two-game suspension to start the season. Noteboom, a third-round pick from TCU, has shown an ability to play the tackle and guard spots.

DEFENSIVE LINE (6): Aaron Donald, Ndamukong Suh, Michael Brockers, Ethan Westbrooks, Tanzel Smart, John Franklin-Myers

This line was built to wreck opponents. But it will need Donald to sign a new deal and report in advance of the opener to fully accomplish that. Suh is the big addition but don't forget about Brockers. With attention focused on the Donald/Suh combination, Brockers could surprise.

INSIDE LINEBACKER (5): Mark Barron, Cory Littleton, Ramik Wilson, Bryce Hager, Micah Kiser

Barron's durability remains a question because of his very limited participation throughout camp. Coaches have raved about Littleton, a former special teams standout and first-year starter who will be responsible for relaying the defensive playcalls.

OUTSIDE LINEBACKER (5): Samson Ebukam, Matt Longacre, Dominique Easley, Ryan Davis, Justin Lawler

Ebukam moves into a full-time starting role after serving a season on special teams. It remains a mystery who will win the spot opposite of him. Longacre was expected to move into a starting role, but after limited participation during camp, it seems more likely he'll play a spot in a rotation. Easley returns from a season-ending knee injury and moves from the interior of the line to the edge. Davis and Lawler were pleasant surprises during camp.

CORNERBACK (5): Aqib Talib, Marcus Peters, Nickell Robey-Coleman, Sam Shields, Troy Hill

This group underwent the biggest offseason makeover with the additions of Talib, Peters and Shields. Talib and Peters are arguably the best duo in the league. Robey-Coleman returns to the nickel and Shields makes his return to football after sitting out nearly two seasons because of concussions.

SAFETY (4): Lamarcus Joyner, John Johnson, Marqui Christian, Blake Countess

Joyner will play on the franchise tag and Johnson will start for a second season. Peters called them both "ball hawks" and said Johnson would be an All-Pro soon. Christian was among the most improved players during camp.

SPECIALIST (3): Johnny Hekker, Greg Zuerlein, Jake McQuaide

Zuerlein, a.k.a. "Mr. Automatic," returns after undergoing season-ending back surgery last December. This trio has played together for seven seasons.

 

[nighttrain]

looks absolutely right on!
train

 

[tklongball]

looks absolutely right on!
train

What do you think the odds of Sebastian Joseph-Day over Tanzel Smart?

Or Mundt over Hemmingway?

 

[nighttrain]

What do you think the odds of Sebastian Joseph-Day over Tanzel Smart?

leave this one to WP
train

 

[OldSchool]

I could see a couple changes like Davis going on IR when Brown comes off suspension and I would probably take Holley over one of the backup safeties listed but that's a minor adjustment. Also I'd like to see them try to trade Williams, there are some teams with horrible OT's like the Bengals we might get a 6th rounder out of them. He could probably start at RT for them.

Edit: I missed at OLB I think Price may make it over Davis especially if he shines again Thursday night.

 

[den-the-coach]

Also I'd like to see them try to trade Williams, there are some teams with horrible OT's like the Bengals we might get a 6th rounder out of them. He could probably start at RT for them.

Good God, Bobby freakin Hart? At RT? The Bengals are in serious trouble, Cedric Ogbuehi, the ultimate bust...Agreed that Williams is better than Hart.

 

[SeminoleRam]

What about Ejuan Price? I thought he was having a pretty good preseason? And, Is there any chance Tegray Scales makes the team or is he PS bound?

 

[OldSchool]

What about Ejuan Price? I thought he was having a pretty good preseason? And, Is there any chance Tegray Scales makes the team or is he PS bound?

Scales is likely headed to the PS unless Bones absolutely pounds the table for him on ST IMO. I missed Davis at OLB with him hurt it could be Price over him but reports are Wade loves Davis.

 

[Malibu]

Price makes the team - great last 2 games. No on 3 QBs not sure who #2 is. No on Smart.

Dark horses - Scales, Mitchell, Natson, Clements

 

[Billy Baroo]

Wow, an ESPN writer that really did some homework.

 

[BonifayRam]

What do you think the odds of Sebastian Joseph-Day over Tanzel Smart?

Or Mundt over Hemmingway?

Very Good! SJD is a true Nose Tackle with tons of room to grow & improve. Smart has done very little this TC & PS Smart is a small 3 tech DT that's it. Smart did very little last season to help the Defense. Rams need a true NT here next season when Suh departs!

DE- Brockers/ John Franklin/Myers
NT- Suh/ Sebastian Joseph-Day
DT- Donald/ Westbrooks/Easley

I am done with TE Hemmingway. time to move on & find a 3rd TE who can catch.

In addition I question RT Cornelius Lucas over our Swing Darrell Williams. I also think safety Nate Holley is a keeper for the future.

 

[nighttrain]

Very Good! SJD is a true Nose Tackle with tons of room to grow & improve. Smart has done very little this TC & PS Smart is a small 3 tech DT that's it. Smart did very little last season to help the Defense.
DE- Brockers/ John Franklin/Myers
NT- Suh/ Sebastian Joseph-Day
DT- Donald/ Westbrooks/Easley

I am done with Hemmingway. time to move on & find a 3rd TE who can catch.

this

 

[jetplt67]

I just don't see how Hemingway survives. I see a lazy or undedicated player on most of his plays

 

[Prime Time]

DEFENSIVE LINE (6): Aaron Donald, Ndamukong Suh, Michael Brockers, Ethan Westbrooks, Tanzel Smart, John Franklin-Myers

Would be surprised if Tanzel Smart makes the final 53.

 

[dang]

"Bye bye Rams....hello Colts" - Smart
"Thanks for memories Rams...glad to be a Charger" - Hemmingway

 

[Karate61]

Troy Hill may not make it!

 

[dieterbrock]

Nothing really earth shattering with these predictions. Although I do wonder what team he’s been watching regarding the TE

 

[Ram65]

No Smart or Hemingway. Lucas and Demby? Not sure how much they followed the Rams.

 

[ramfan46]

Ryan Davis is a head scratcher to me. I don't see it with him. I'd take Ejuan Price over him every day. Keep Mundt over Hemingway at TE.

 

[Memento]

Here's my 53 man roster (and practice squad):

QB - Jared Goff, Robert Griffin III. (Yes, I expect us to sign RG3 to our roster once he's cut by the Ravens. Sue me. That does mean that Allen and Mannion are gone, but I don't think that it's a big loss.)

RB - Todd Gurley, John Kelly, Malcolm Brown, Justin Davis. (Davis, in spite of his injuries, is a keeper. The others aren't a surprise.)

WR - Brandin Cooks, Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, Pharoh Cooper, Josh Reynolds, Mike Thomas, KhaDarel Hodge. (Here all your receivers are belong to us. Seriously, though, Hodge cannot fall to the practice squad; he won't get there. At the same time, I don't want to cut our other receivers in Cooper, who is an All-Pro returner, Reynolds, who has rare size and speed, and Thomas, who is arguably the best gunner in the league.)

TE - Gerald Everett, Tyler Higbee, Henry Krieger-Coble. (I did not include Mundt because of size/injuries, Hemingway because of ineffectiveness, and McElroy because he's basically a glorified receiver and not a blocker like we need. At the same time, I expect us to scour the tight end market because Everett is not going to be enough.)

OL - Andrew Whitworth, Rodger Saffold, John Sullivan, Jamon Brown, Rob Havenstein, Austin Blythe, Joseph Noteboom, Brian Allen, Jamil Demby. (The usual suspects here. I think that either Darrell Williams or Cornelius Lucas will be on the roster when Brown is inactive.)

DL - Aaron Donald, Michael Brockers, Ndamukong Suh, Ethan Westbrooks, John Franklin-Myers. (I realize that it's light, but at the same time, I expect JFM and Westbrooks to be solid players, and it's not like we need a nose tackle often.)

LB - Samson Ebukam, Matt Longacre, Mark Barron, Cory Littleton, Ejuan Price, Justin Lawler, Trevon Young, Ramik Wilson, Micah Kiser, Bryce Hager. (Price, Lawler, and Young bring an infusion of youth to the linebacking corps. Wilson and Hager - as much as I hate to admit that I was wrong - have earned a spot over Scales and Howard.)

DB - Marcus Peters, Aqib Talib, Lamarcus Joyner, John Johnson III, Nickell Robey-Coleman, Sam Shields, Troy Hill, Dominique Hatfield, Marqui Christian, Blake Countess. (I fully expect Countess, Hatfield, and/or Hill to be replaced by another defensive back on another roster. At the time, I don't know whom will be available. The others are fairly obvious. Christian could be Joyner's replacement in a year or so.)

ST - Greg Zuerlein, Johnny Hekker, Jake McQuaide. (No-brainers for our three All-Pro players.)

Practice Sqaud - Tegray Scales (LB), Travin Howard (LB/S), Ramon Richards (CB/FS/SS), Afolabi Laguda (FS/SS), Sebastian Joseph-Day (NT), Omarius Bryant (NT), Jake Eldrenkamp (OG/OC) Luis Perez (QB), Codey McElroy (WR/TE), JoJo Natson (KR/PR).

(I desperately want to keep all of the first fve, as both Scales and Howard are promising, Laguda has racked up a ton of tackles, Richards is a solid defensive back, and Joseph-Day is a solid nose tackle. Bryant is a good pass-rushing nose tackle. The others are mainly positions that need to be filled occasionally. McElroy is basically a big wide receiver in a tight end's body. I don't think that there's too much potential, but it wouldn't hurt to give him a spot. I think that they're not playing Perez because they want to send him down to the practice squad. Eldrenkamp's spot has been taken by Blythe and Allen, but he's still a useful player to have, and is better than Aaron Neary. Natson could be used as a returnman, but honestly, I thought that he looked very underwhelming in the last two games. He's probably the least valuable member of the practice squad, and should be replaceable.)

Thoughts, comments, and critiques are welcome! Thank you for reading this giant wall of text!