Projected Starters: St. Louis Rams/NFL.com

[RamBill]

Projected starters: St. Louis Rams

By Gregg Rosenthal
Around The League Editor
Published: May 19, 2014 at 04:38 p.m.
Updated: May 19, 2014 at 04:55 p.m.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000351794/article/projected-starters-st-louis-rams

Around The League predicts the Week 1 starting lineups for all 32 teams, analyzing the potential impact of each rookie class. Click here for the complete series breakdown.

St. Louis Rams Projected 2014 Starters

Offense

QB

Sam Bradford

RB

Zac Stacy

WR1

Chris Givens

WR2

Austin Pettis

WR3

Tavon Austin

TE

Jared Cook

LT

Jake Long

LG

Greg Robinson

C

Scott Wells

RG

Rodger Saffold

RT

Joe Barksdale

============
DEFENSE

DE

Robert Quinn

DT

Michael Brockers

DT

Kendall Langford / Aaron Donald

DE

Chris Long

MLB

James Laurinaitis

OLB

Alec Ogletree

CB1

Trumaine Johnson

CB2

Janoris Jenkins

CB3

Lamarcus Joyner

SS

T.J. McDonald

FS

Rodney McLeod

» Wide receiver typifies what's wrong with the Rams' offense. They have plenty of options, but need their young talent to step up. We gave the starting jobs to incumbents Chris Givens and Austin Pettis, but Brian Quick and free-agent pickup Kenny Britt have a chance to start as well.

» It's rare to see the No. 13 overall pick in the draft sit for long, but don't assume that Aaron Donald will pass solid veteran Kendall Langford on the depth chart right away. The Rams' starting defensive line could be the best in the entire league.

» Second-round pick Lamarcus Joyner is a Jeff Fisher favorite. This is a roster in desperate need of cornerback help, and there will be pressure on the Florida State product to produce right away.

» No. 2 overall pick Greg Robinson will start his career at left guard. He probably won't stay there past 2014, but his addition there could bolster Zac Stacy's rushing numbers.

» Then again, Stacy's total carries might go down following the addition of third-round pick Tre Mason. The Rams have said publicly they want Stacy to be the workhorse, but Mason could wind up in a timeshare if he's as explosive as expected.

» The secondary is a problem, but it's fair to say that expectations have been raised in St. Louis. General manager Les Snead and coach Jeff Fisher have done a terrific job building up this roster and improving toughness, especially on defense. If Sam Bradford is as good as the Rams believe he is, this is a starting lineup that should win more than seven games.

 

[CGI_Ram]

Pettis will not be starter #2 at WR.

Bank on it.

Or... Be worried. Love him situationally, but not as a starter.

 

[bwdenverram]

Pettis is a nice possession receiver but if he is a starter we're in trouble.

 

[RamFan503]

If Pettis is being used as that check down/ move the chains receiver that is almost always on the field, we could do worse IMO. He is also young, has excellent hands, and good size. Not sure about our #2 but he could play a significant role as the other youngsters start to really develop. I think Quick is going to emerge this year and be very difficult for DBs to handle. That kid is really strong with a big body and I don't really see him as being that far off from getting it. Guess we'll see but I would replace Givens with Quick in that #1 slot.

 

[den-the-coach]

Kenny Britt will be the starter along with Givens until Bailey gets back and I really wish they had another option at RT because I'm not a fan of Barksdale, but that's just me.

 

[nighttrain]

Pettis will not be starter #2 at WR.

Bank on it.

Or... Be worried. Love him situationally, but not as a starter.

same here, if Quick or Britt cant beat pettis we're in trouble, and so is SB
train

 

[-X-]

Pettis will not be starter #2 at WR.

Bank on it.

Or... Be worried. Love him situationally, but not as a starter.

He could be. There are lots of different personnel groupings in their 11 personnel package.

 

[mr.stlouis]

Can't see Pettis nailing down the starting gig, either. However, I want him in for every snap inside the ten. He earns his paycheck in the Red Zone.

 

[Mojo Ram]

Kenny Britt will be the starter along with Givens until Bailey gets back and I really wish they had another option at RT because I'm not a fan of Barksdale, but that's just me.

I hope so but i'll be surprised if he makes it to week one without getting injured, suspended or just being plain ineffective relative to our other WR's.

 

[HometownBoy]

If Britt is healthy, he's number 2, there's no doubt about it. If he can get back to playing at the level he was in his first few seasons, then he overcomes Givens for 1.

 

[RhodyRams]

I'm just hoping Britt matures enough and doesnt become a locker room distraction.... this group of youngsters doesnt need trhat

 

[den-the-coach]

I hope so but i'll be surprised if he makes it to week one without getting injured, suspended or just being plain ineffective relative to our other WR's.

I guess I just have more faith in him than others...Britt has the most experience, he has the size, speed and BTW this is his last chance with the Coach who drafted him. So desperate times call for desperate measures and the sex video notwhithstanding, IMO Britt not only has a good year, but helps out Quick and the younger WR's as well.

When Bailey gets back Bradford, Britt & Bailey will be known as the Killer Bees!

 

[fearsomefour]

We are missing a LB in the D.
Showing the nickel I know.
I think Armstrong will replace Dunbar of not by seasons start then at some point in the season.

I can see the Rams pounding the ball for 2 1/2 quarters then going shotgun hurry up with Austin, Britt, Cook, Mason and say Bailey.

 

[Zaphod]

We are missing a LB in the D.
Showing the nickel I know.
I think Armstrong will replace Dunbar of not by seasons start then at some point in the season.

I can see the Rams pounding the ball for 2 1/2 quarters then going shotgun hurry up with Austin, Britt, Cook, Mason and say Bailey.

I sure hope not! I'd rather see them eating the clock with a rushing attack to close up a game in hand

But with so much versatility in our offense, I would like to see them run a no huddle early on.

 

[fearsomefour]

I sure hope not! I'd rather see them eating the clock with a rushing attack to close up a game in hand

But with so much versatility in our offense, I would like to see them run a no huddle early on.

The idea would be to pound the D and slow the passrush. The game situation would dictate of course.

 

[Athos]

Pettis will not be starter #2 at WR.

Bank on it.

Or... Be worried. Love him situationally, but not as a starter.

Our passing game will suffer a lot if Pettis starts a bunch. Too easily covered. The starting WRs worry me a lot.

What you WANT/HOPE is that one of Quick/Pettis starts at flanker. And what you really wanted was Bailey at split-end with Givens coming off the bench to take the top off as he just isn't good enough at the finer WR details.

We're forced into this lineup because of the tons of questions with this group.

I think Gaines will solidify the secondary. That unit will be vastly superior to last year.