Rams 53-Man Roster Predictions: Training Camp Edition

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RamBill

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Rams 53-Man Roster Predictions: Training Camp Edition

by Patrick Karraker

http://archauthority.com/2014/07/24...edium=Network&utm_campaign=Around the Network


As the St. Louis Rams veterans report to training camp in Earth City, Missouri today, it’s an appropriate time to take another guess at who will be on the 53-man roster in about six weeks. Obviously we can’t account for any acquisitions from the waiver wire that may take place over the next several weeks, but here’s a guess at what the 53-man roster might look like if the regular season started today.

Quarterbacks (3): Sam Bradford, Shaun Hill, Garrett Gilbert

Bradford will return as the starting QB. Hill will act as his veteran backup, while Gilbert has a good shot at sticking as a developmental project and the scout team quarterback.

Running Backs (4): Zac Stacy, Tre Mason, Isaiah Pead, Chase Reynolds

Stacy and Mason should get all the playing time from scrimmage, though Pead may factor into the offense as a receiving specialist if he improves over what he’s been for the past two years. Pead and Reynolds both figure to be core special teamers, which gives them the edge over second-year back Benny Cunningham, who hasn’t shown any real skills in that facet of the game thus far.

Wide Receivers (5): Kenny Britt, Chris Givens, Brian Quick, Tavon Austin, Austin Pettis, Stedman Bailey**

Britt may emerge as a starter after being picked up as a free agent this offseason. Givens will need to recover from a down 2013, though he has a good shot at retaining his starting spot. Austin will provide big-play ability as a slot receiver and gadget player, while Quick and Pettis figure to provide depth and some size to the Rams’ passing attack.

Tight Ends (5): Jared Cook, Lance Kendricks, Cory Harkey, Justice Cunningham, Mason Brodine*

Cook and Kendricks should get a lot of time as receivers and in-line blockers, while Harkey should once again serve as the Rams’ primary lead blocker out of the backfield. Cunningham and Brodine will provide additional depth and could be core special teamers.

Offensive Line (9): Jake Long, Greg Robinson, Scott Wells, Rodger Saffold, Joe Barksdale, Davin Joseph, Barrett Jones, Tim Barnes, Sean Hooey

There’s plenty of competition at this position, and several talented players ultimately will not make the roster here. The player with the most to prove is Hooey, as he may be competing with others for only one available backup tackle spot.

Defensive Line (9): Chris Long, Robert Quinn, William Hayes, Eugene Sims, Michael Brockers, Aaron Donald, Kendall Langford, Alex Carrington, Mason Brodine*

As has been widely publicized since the Rams selected Michael Sam in the seventh round of this year’s draft, the defensive line is an area with significant competition for the Rams. On this roster, Sam was the final cut, simply because it’s difficult to know how much he can contribute on special teams. Brodine, meanwhile, has the ability to provide depth at tight end and every defensive line position as well as being an impact speical-teamer.

Linebackers (6): Alec Ogletree, James Laurinaitis, Jo-Lonn Dunbar, Ray Ray Armstrong, Daren Bates, Phillip Steward

The sixth linebacker spot may be the most fought-over position on this roster. Steward has the edge since he spent 2013 in the Rams’ system while on injured reserve, but he’ll have plenty of undrafted free agents and other unproven young players fighting to wrestle the spot away from him.

Cornerbacks (5): Trumaine Johnson, Janoris Jenkins, Lamarcus Joyner, Brandon McGee, E.J. Gaines

The Rams may carry five healthy corners for the first time since Jeff Fisher arrived in St. Louis. There’s quality competition for this competition, and McGee and Gaines will definitely have to put together good preseason showings to earn their 53-man roster spots.

Safeties (5): Rodney McLeod, T.J. McDonald, Mo Alexander, Cody Davis, Matt Daniels

The Rams could end up carrying either four or five players at this position, but Daniels fits in right now because of his experience and ability to succeed as a special-teamer.

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

*Brodine is playing both tight end and defensive line, and is therefore listed twice on this list.

**Bailey is suspended for the season’s first four games due to a violation of the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy.
 

leoram

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you have to earn it, not just get it handed to you. And I think Sam makes the cut, to good of player to be dismissed.
train

Cunningham's production is how he earned his role IMO. To your point, MSam has to prove to be a plus ST contributor, thus the weight loss. He has the attitude and college productivity to do so. My my only concern w him is the lack of need for DE depth while other ST possibilities could fill greater depth issues in the defensive LB and DB positions.
 

CoachO

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Cunningham's production is how he earned his role IMO. To your point, MSam has to prove to be a plus ST contributor, thus the weight loss. He has the attitude and college productivity to do so. My my only concern w him is the lack of need for DE depth while other ST possibilities could fill greater depth issues in the defensive LB and DB positions.

I understand your point, but do you not think they will keep a 9th D-linemen? Might as well be him as anyone else. Assuming he earns it.
 

12intheBox

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I think Les needs to think long and hard about what players he is likely to sneak onto the PS and what players we will lose if they are cut. Teams will be looking to pick from our scraps more this year than ever before.
 

CoachO

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I think Les needs to think long and hard about what players he is likely to sneak onto the PS and what players we will lose if they are cut. Teams will be looking to pick from our scraps more this year than ever before.

I understand your point, but at the same time, I think keeping someone on the active roster for the sake of fearing losing him, is a dangerous away to go. If he doesn't make the roster better NOW, keeping someone like that over some other guy who stands to make an impact reminds me of the days when they were always "looking to the future", and trying to build a roster long term. They just didn't have much to lose by keeping that developmental guy, over someone who was just better.

Now that they have legitimate talent in most of the units, I think they can feel confident that they can field a pretty good PS regardless.
 

leoram

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I understand your point, but do you not think they will keep a 9th D-linemen? Might as well be him as anyone else. Assuming he earns it.

As long as Hayes recovers, along w Sims, Quinn, and Long, I'd be more comfortable w a gameday roster that could slide Donald outside in emergency than putting any DE on the roster inside on early downs since we would dress Brockers, Langford, Donald, and Carrington anyway. Sam would have to beat Sims IMO because I want our 4 top RB's over the 9 DL's for offensive flexibility and ST value.
 

12intheBox

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I hated that they lost Gerald Rivers last year to Jax so that they could dress a punt returner when Tavon went down. I think they thought he was safe, but good GMs are always on the prowl.

I would err on the side of protecting your 53 best players.
 

DaveFan'51

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I would definitely put Cunningham in ahead of Reynolds! And I don't see the Rams keeping (5) TE's!!
 

CoachO

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As long as Hayes recovers, along w Sims, Quinn, and Long, I'd be more comfortable w a gameday roster that could slide Donald outside in emergency than putting any DE on the roster inside on early downs since we would dress Brockers, Langford, Donald, and Carrington anyway. Sam would have to beat Sims IMO because I want our 4 top RB's over the 9 DL's for offensive flexibility and ST value.

You are talking about Game day active roster decisions over actual the 53 roster decision. I think its a foregone conclusion that they will keep a 9th DL, and how many they dress on Sundays is TBD. As to the point of saying you prefer to have all FOUR RBs active is highly unlikely IMO. And I just disagree with you when it comes to how many DL are active. Rarely will they ever dress all 9, and in your scenario, it is much more likely they deactivate one of the DTs, assuming Sam (or Westbrooks) has value on ST. THey have both Sims and Hayes who can slide inside and will take reps on passing downs.

I posted this on another thread, but can you imagine the potential pass rush capabilities of a d-front of Quinn, Long, Hayes and Donald in 3rd and long situations?
 

CoachO

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I hated that they lost Gerald Rivers last year to Jax so that they could dress a punt returner when Tavon went down. I think they thought he was safe, but good GMs are always on the prowl.

I would err on the side of protecting your 53 best players.

I get that there were a lot of people second guessing that move. But in all honesty, where was G. Rivers going to contribute? There are plenty of those guys every year, in fact they have "replaced" him with a couple of prospects who for all intents and purposes, should be better than he was, and will be.

For all of those who have issues with them exposing Rivers, there are just any many (if not more) who seem to think they have zero need THIS YEAR for that same type of player. At least, that's the way I interpret it. Unless this is more about "the player" and not the position.
 

12intheBox

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Certainly, the loss of Rivers was compensated for with the additions of Donald and Carrington - both of whom are better looking prospects (although notably pricier)

He likely wouldn't have a place on this roster at all - so all is well that ends well.

Still, you want to protect your young assets to the extent you can because you never what you will need. We had a CB crisis a few years back - and you never know what position may thin out via injury.
 

leoram

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You are talking about Game day active roster decisions over actual the 53 roster decision. I think its a foregone conclusion that they will keep a 9th DL, and how many they dress on Sundays is TBD. As to the point of saying you prefer to have all FOUR RBs active is highly unlikely IMO. And I just disagree with you when it comes to how many DL are active. Rarely will they ever dress all 9, and in your scenario, it is much more likely they deactivate one of the DTs, assuming Sam (or Westbrooks) has value on ST. THey have both Sims and Hayes who can slide inside and will take reps on passing downs.

I posted this on another thread, but can you imagine the potential pass rush capabilities of a d-front of Quinn, Long, Hayes and Donald in 3rd and long situations?

That 4 is my 1A quartet is rush situations although Carrington and Brockers can replace Hayes for 1B and 1C. While it's a given we have DEs that can slide inside on passing downs, we don't have DEs that can go inside on rush downs in case of emergency. That's why I choose to be heavier on DT numbers than I am at DE.

9DL is fine as long as the #9 is genuinely better at ST than the RB, LB, TE, and DB alternatives, IMO. If we want to debate that, I guess I need to study The ST options a bit deeper.

Hope I see u and Hammer at camp as I value your insights. Sadly, work schedules limit my participation.
 
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CoachO

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That 4 is my 1A quartet is rush situations although Carrington and Brockers can replace Hayes for 1B and 1C.
exactly,, we are on the same page with that. I also believe the game day roster will be fluid, based on who the opponent is from week to week.