Rams depth chart 2020: Projected starters for Week 1

ROD-BOT · Jun 5, 2020

Rams depth chart 2020: Projected starters for Week 1 reveals concerns for LA pass rush and rushing attack

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Rams depth chart 2020: Projected starters for Week 1 reveals concerns for LA pass rush and rushing attack
The offseason wasn't kind to the Rams, as their projected depth chart suggests

There is much to prove for every NFL team entering the 2020 season, sans the world champion Kansas City Chiefs, but the Los Angeles Rams are near the top of the list. The team followed up a stellar 2018 season that saw them appear in Super Bowl XXXVI, but their balloon was rapidly deflated when a flat offensive effort saw them lose to the New England Patriots. They then suffered from the dreaded Super Bowl hangover in 2019, fighting through an uneven season that saw them finish at 9-7 and out of the playoffs entirely.

With head coach Sean McVay now needing to re-establish his brand as an offensive genius and Jared Goff being looked at to carry more of the load, things will get interesting quickly once the season fires up. With no Todd Gurleybehind him and no Brandin Cooks beside him to stretch the opposing defense, new faces will have to step up to challenge incumbents to help buoy the team back to contender status. Otherwise, the Rams face another disappointing season, and one wherein they'll open up SoFi Stadium -- their new NFL digs.

And with that, let's take a shot at predicting who makes the cut for the final 55-man roster, and who has to play the best football of their career thanks to offseason changes.

(* indicates player is a rookie)

Offense

Position	Starter	Backup	Depth
QB	Jared Goff	Josh Love
RB	Malcolm Brown	Darrell Henderson	Cam Akers*
LWR	Cooper Kupp	Nsimba Webster
RWR	Robert Woods	Van Jefferson*
SWR	Josh Reynolds	Greg Dortch	Trishton Jackson*
TE	Tyler Higbee	Gerald Everett	Brycen Hopkins*
LT	Andrew Whitworth	Chandler Brewer
LG	Austin Corbett	Joseph Noteboom
C	Brian Allen	Coleman Shelton
RG	Austin Blythe	David Edwards
RT	Rob Havenstein	Bobby Evans

Goff needs to tee off in 2020

The biggest and most glaring change to the Rams depth chart for 2020 doesn't come by addition, but instead by subtraction. The team decided it was time to cut ties with All-Pro running back Todd Gurley, releasing him this offseason before seeing him immediately sign on with the Atlanta Falcons. The split came amidst rumors of health issues with Gurley's knee, but those claims were never formally substantiated and the Pro Bowler has released several workout videos showing his knee is seemingly just fine.

It's all water under the bridge now, though, with the Rams seeking to figure out who'll be Gurley's successor only two years after making him the highest-paid running back in NFL history. It'll be easier said-than-done, considering Brown and Henderson combined for 455 total yards from scrimmage last season, and they'll both now be challenged by Akers -- a rookie with more than enough juice to push his name higher on the depth chart.

With Gurley gone and Brandin Cooks out as well, the latter via trade to the Houston Texans, Goff might find himself shouldering more of the load as it relates to having to make players around him better. And as he and head coach Sean McVay work to bounce back from missing the playoffs only a season after making it to the Super Bowl, it's paramount Goff do just that in 2020.

Defense

Position	Starter	Backup	Depth
LDE	Michael Brockers	Morgan Fox
NT	A'Shawn Robinson	Sebastian Joseph-Day	Greg Gaines
DT	Aaron Donald	Marquise Copeland
WILL (weakside)	Samson Ebukam	Ogbonnia Okoronkwo	Josh Carraway
OLB	Terrell Lewis	Justin Lawler
ILB	Micah Kiser	Travin Howard	Clay Johnston*
ILB	Leonard Floyd	Kenny Young
LCB	Troy Hill	Darious Williams	Adonis Alexander
RCB	Jalen Ramsey	David Long	Donte Deayon
FS	John Johnson	Jordan Fuller*
SS	Taylor Rapp	Terrell Burgess*

Finding Robin to pair with Batman

You know what Aaron Donald is and you know what he's capable of. The future Hall of Fame pass rusher is a force of nature on the football field, but the Rams are looking to see who'll step up and be an impactful sidekick to him in 2020. Donald led the team in 2019 with 12.5 sacks and second place went to linebacker Dante Fowler, who had 11.5 of his own, but Fowler waved goodbye in free agency and joins Gurley as a member of the Falcons. What's more, the team decided to release Clay Matthews, whose eight sacks were good enough for third-most on the team last season and 3.5 more than fourth-place Samson Ebukam.

Keeping with the theme of lost sack-producers, Corey Littleton left to join the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason, and while he logged just 3.5 sacks in 2019, it was more than Brockers (3.0). All told, the Rams need to replace, at minimum, 23 sacks lost to either free agency or by voluntary release, and that simply won't be easy to do.

Brockers and Ebukam now ascend the depth chart by default but if they want to remain in their respective seats, they'll have to step up big and help Donald harass opposing quarterbacks.

Special teams

Position	Starter	Backup
K	Sam Sloman*
P	Johnny Hekker
LS	Jake McQuaide
KR	Nsimba Webster
PR	Greg Dortch	Trishton Jackson*

Just for kicks

It's a new day on the special teams unit in Los Angeles as well, as not all of the more obvious changes were relegated to offense and defense. With the coming 2020 season arrives a new face at kicker, as longtime boot Greg Zuerleinfollows former Rams special teams coordinator Jim "Bones" Fassel to the Dallas Cowboys for a fresh start. That forced Los Angeles to address the position in the 2020 NFL Draft, and Sloman seemingly gets the nod as Zuerlein's successor -- selected in the seventh round by McVay and Co. He must still beat out Austin MacGinnis and Lirim Hajrullahu to assure his spot, which should make for an interesting camp, seeing as there is no definitive frontrunner at the position just yet.

On the return side, look for rookie Trishton Jackson to battle Dortch for the honor of handling punts, seeing as both have similar skill sets and near-equal 40 yard dash times. JoJo Natson, the Rams top return specialist, is now a member of the Cleveland Browns, leaving the door open for his replacement to step up -- whomever that may be.

fearsomefour · Jun 5, 2020

Disagree about C, RB and RG.
Like that they have Love as the backup QB.

bluecoconuts · Jun 5, 2020

Unless Akers can't pass protect, I think he's getting a lot of playing time.

dieterbrock · Jun 5, 2020

Lol
Akers 3rd on the depth chart? Love as backup QB??
There's a better chance that neither Love or Brown even make the team

Corbin · Jun 5, 2020

Guy doesn’t know shot about our roster.

Only part of the roster I’m really worried about is ILB. Floyd and Kiser? I don’t like the sound of that combo one bit. Neither is worth a shit at pass pro.

Hope we don’t let o between the hashes be our Achilles heel this year.

Merlin · Jun 5, 2020

Yeah lots of holes in that chart lol. Anyone here could have done better.

Memento · Jun 5, 2020

Lol nope. I could and will do better with this:

QB: Jared Goff (first string) - Bryce Perkins (second string).

(I think that Perkins is being criminally underrated; he could be our own Taysom Hill. Goff's obviously the starter.

RB: Cam Akers (first string) - Darrell Henderson (second string) - Malcolm Brown (third string).

(I could see us cutting Brown for another running back, so this isn't set in stone, but Akers will be the starter, and Henderson will get a ton of snaps. Brown is the goalline power back, but if he's not healthy, I could see us picking up another back from waivers.)

LWR: Josh Reynolds (first string) - Van Jefferson (second string)

RWR: Robert Woods (first string) - Nsimba Webster (second string)

SWR: Cooper Kupp (first string) - Easop Winston (second string) - Earnest Edwards (ST)

(Well, those wideouts are whom I see making the team. Jefferson will eventually take Reynolds' spot, but if the latter balls out, I can't justify having him as a backup. Woods and Kupp are obvious. Webster and Winston are solid project receivers that I like, while Edwards will be mentioned later on.)

TE: Tyler Higbee (first string) - Gerald Everett (second string) - Kendall Blanton (third string) - Brycen Hopkins (fourth string).

(Higbee and Everett are obvious choices. Blanton, even though I admit I'm biased, being a Mizzou fan and all, is whom I'd take over Mundt; he's an amazing blocker, and that's what's going to matter most for a third string tight-end. Hopkins will make the team, but I doubt he does much in his rookie year.)

LT: Andrew Whitworth (first string) - Joseph Noteboom (second string).

LG: Bobby Evans (first string) - Tremayne Anchrum (second string).

C: Austin Corbett (first string) - Nate Trewyn (second string).

RG: David Edwards (first string) - Tremayne Anchrum (second string).

RT: Rob Havenstein (first string) - Chandler Brewer (second string).

(So yeah, that's my offensive line. Shocking that Allen and Blythe doesn't make the team, but I've given it some thought. I don't really like either Allen or Blythe, so why not cut/trade both? Anchrum, Brewer, and Trewyn have promise. I'm assuming that Havenstein gets into serious shape, that Corbett can take the bull by the horns and win the center job over Allen/Blythe, that Evans and Edwards round out the starters at guard, that Noteboom can get healthy and win the important backup left tackle spot. Is it a lot to hope for? Yes. Still, there's not many other options we can go with.)

DE: - Michael Brockers (starter) - Sebastian Joseph-Day (second string)

NT: (A'Shawn Robinson (starter) - Greg Gaines (second string)

DT: Aaron Donald (HOF) - Morgan Fox (second string)

(The defensive line should be obvious. With SJD, Gaines, and Fox as the backups, our starters are obviously studs - AD especially.)

WILL: Samson Ebukam (starter) - Jachai Polite (backup).

ILB: Travin Howard (starter) - Clay Johnston (backup) - Christian Rozeboom (third string)

ILB: Leonard Floyd (starter) - Natrez Patrick (backup) - Christian Rozeboom (third string)

OLB: Ogbonnia Okoronkwo (starter), -Terrell Lewis (backup).

(Yes, I see us carrying nine linebackers. Call me crazy, but I don't think Kenny Young, Troy Reeder, or Micah Kiser makes the roster. Young hasn't had a good year since his rookie season, and I don't recall a single game where he got many snaps on special teams, let alone the defense. Kiser is coming off of an injury, and has Johnson, Patrick, and my sleeper, Rozeboom, nipping at his heels. Reeder has very, very obvious physical limitations that might cost him in Staley's new defenese. Howard and Floyd will have snaps inside, and Howard will be the linebacker out in coverage, as he was a former safety for TCU. Outside linebackers are obvious, in my opinion, as I've hyped them all up enough.)

LCB: David Long (starter) - Troy Hill (backup) - Adonis Alexander (CB/S)

RCB: Jalen Ramsey (starter) - Darious Williams (backup/slot) - Levonta Taylor (slot)

FS: John Johnson III (starter) - Terrell Burgess (backup/slot)

SS: Taylor Rapp (starter) - Jordan Fuller (backup)

(Yes, I think that David Long finally takes the next step and wins the starting job next to Ramsey over Hill. I respect Hill's talent, but I don't entirely trust him, and he's entering his contract year. Ramsey is Ramsey. I can see Burgess splitting time in the slot with Darious Williams, who really impressed me down the stretch. JJ3, Rapp, and Fuller are obvious picks. Taylor is an impressive prospect who was a former five-star player for Florida State. He struggled with a poor coaching staff, much like Akers, so I can see him impressing. Adonis Alexander is someone who could be interesting for Staley's defense: at 6'3", he could play as a corner or a safety.)

K: N/A

P: Johnny Hekker.

LS: Jake McQuaide.

KR: Earnest Edwards.

PR: Earnest Edwards.

(No, I'm not going to guess the kicker. It's far too close to call right now; any one of them could be a starter for us. Hekker and McQuaide are obvious, but Earnest Edwards, whom I mentioned in the WR group, is the key to special teams, in my honest opinion. He had four kickoff return touchdowns this year alone. He's not as experienced as a punt returner, but he has solid hands, explosive speed, and - most importantly - good ball control. He could be a difference maker for us.)

So, yeah, that's my roster construction/depth chart.

Juice · Jun 5, 2020

With Darrell Henderson's lack of production last year, how can we be sure that he is not the odd man out. I tend to think that the Rams will keep all three RBs on the roster. This is a prove it season for Henderson. I 've read where it obviously took a year to get the playbook, but if Akers does, and moves into the starting role, Henderson's name is on the wall. The Rams know what they have in Brown, and he would really be a compliment to Akers.

Kevin · Jun 5, 2020

I would like the Rams to find a veteran backup at safety. Not keen on having two rookies as the main reserves.

Memento · Jun 5, 2020

Juice said:
With Darrell Henderson's lack of production last year, how can we be sure that he is not the odd man out. I tend to think that the Rams will keep all three RBs on the roster. This is a prove it season for Henderson. I 've read where it obviously took a year to get the playbook, but if Akers does, and moves into the starting role, Henderson's name is on the wall. The Rams know what they have in Brown, and he would really be a compliment to Akers.

I'm sure that Henderson will impress because you have to look at what he did in limited time. He didn't get many snaps, but he ripped off a couple of long runs and showed impressive hands. If he improves his pass-blocking, which I think he can, he'll get a lot of snaps with his big-play potential.

It's Brown I'm concerned with; it's his final year, and he's been injured for almost every year he's been on the team. I hope we keep Brown. I can also see us cutting him for another power back that gets cut by a team.

Rams43 · Jun 5, 2020

Memento said:
Lol nope. I could and will do better with this:

QB: Jared Goff (first string) - Bryce Perkins (second string).

(I think that Perkins is being criminally underrated; he could be our own Taysom Hill. Goff's obviously the starter.

RB: Cam Akers (first string) - Darrell Henderson (second string) - Malcolm Brown (third string).

(I could see us cutting Brown for another running back, so this isn't set in stone, but Akers will be the starter, and Henderson will get a ton of snaps. Brown is the goalline power back, but if he's not healthy, I could see us picking up another back from waivers.)

LWR: Josh Reynolds (first string) - Van Jefferson (second string)

RWR: Robert Woods (first string) - Nsimba Webster (second string)

SWR: Cooper Kupp (first string) - Easop Winston (second string) - Earnest Edwards (ST)

(Well, those wideouts are whom I see making the team. Jefferson will eventually take Reynolds' spot, but if the latter balls out, I can't justify having him as a backup. Woods and Kupp are obvious. Webster and Winston are solid project receivers that I like, while Edwards will be mentioned later on.)

TE: Tyler Higbee (first string) - Gerald Everett (second string) - Kendall Blanton (third string) - Brycen Hopkins (fourth string).

(Higbee and Everett are obvious choices. Blanton, even though I admit I'm biased, being a Mizzou fan and all, is whom I'd take over Mundt; he's an amazing blocker, and that's what's going to matter most for a third string tight-end. Hopkins will make the team, but I doubt he does much in his rookie year.)

LT: Andrew Whitworth (first string) - Joseph Noteboom (second string).

LG: Bobby Evans (first string) - Tremayne Anchrum (second string).

C: Austin Corbett (first string) - Nate Trewyn (second string).

RG: David Edwards (first string) - Tremayne Anchrum (second string).

RT: Rob Havenstein (first string) - Chandler Brewer (second string).

(So yeah, that's my offensive line. Shocking that Allen and Blythe doesn't make the team, but I've given it some thought. I don't really like either Allen or Blythe, so why not cut/trade both? Anchrum, Brewer, and Trewyn have promise. I'm assuming that Havenstein gets into serious shape, that Corbett can take the bull by the horns and win the center job over Allen/Blythe, that Evans and Edwards round out the starters at guard, that Noteboom can get healthy and win the important backup left tackle spot. Is it a lot to hope for? Yes. Still, there's not many other options we can go with.)

DE: - Michael Brockers (starter) - Sebastian Joseph-Day (second string)

NT: (A'Shawn Robinson (starter) - Greg Gaines (second string)

DT: Aaron Donald (HOF) - Morgan Fox (second string)

(The defensive line should be obvious. With SJD, Gaines, and Fox as the backups, our starters are obviously studs - AD especially.)

WILL: Samson Ebukam (starter) - Jachai Polite (backup).

ILB: Travin Howard (starter) - Clay Johnston (backup) - Christian Rozeboom (third string)

ILB: Leonard Floyd (starter) - Natrez Patrick (backup) - Christian Rozeboom (third string)

OLB: Ogbonnia Okoronkwo (starter), -Terrell Lewis (backup).

(Yes, I see us carrying nine linebackers. Call me crazy, but I don't think Kenny Young, Troy Reeder, or Micah Kiser makes the roster. Young hasn't had a good year since his rookie season, and I don't recall a single game where he got many snaps on special teams, let alone the defense. Kiser is coming off of an injury, and has Johnson, Patrick, and my sleeper, Rozeboom, nipping at his heels. Reeder has very, very obvious physical limitations that might cost him in Staley's new defenese. Howard and Floyd will have snaps inside, and Howard will be the linebacker out in coverage, as he was a former safety for TCU. Outside linebackers are obvious, in my opinion, as I've hyped them all up enough.)

LCB: David Long (starter) - Troy Hill (backup) - Adonis Alexander (CB/S)

RCB: Jalen Ramsey (starter) - Darious Williams (backup/slot) - Levonta Taylor (slot)

FS: John Johnson III (starter) - Terrell Burgess (backup/slot)

SS: Taylor Rapp (starter) - Jordan Fuller (backup)

(Yes, I think that David Long finally takes the next step and wins the starting job next to Ramsey over Hill. I respect Hill's talent, but I don't entirely trust him, and he's entering his contract year. Ramsey is Ramsey. I can see Burgess splitting time in the slot with Darious Williams, who really impressed me down the stretch. JJ3, Rapp, and Fuller are obvious picks. Taylor is an impressive prospect who was a former five-star player for Florida State. He struggled with a poor coaching staff, much like Akers, so I can see him impressing. Adonis Alexander is someone who could be interesting for Staley's defense: at 6'3", he could play as a corner or a safety.)

K: N/A

P: Johnny Hekker.

LS: Jake McQuaide.

KR: Earnest Edwards.

PR: Earnest Edwards.

(No, I'm not going to guess the kicker. It's far too close to call right now; any one of them could be a starter for us. Hekker and McQuaide are obvious, but Earnest Edwards, whom I mentioned in the WR group, is the key to special teams, in my honest opinion. He had four kickoff return touchdowns this year alone. He's not as experienced as a punt returner, but he has solid hands, explosive speed, and - most importantly - good ball control. He could be a difference maker for us.)

So, yeah, that's my roster construction/depth chart.

Thank you for that very entertaining read, Memento. Several things caught me by surprise and gave me food for thought. Always a good thing, IMO.

Btw, NOBODY can say that you lack the ability to think outside the box. Very refreshing, young lady.

dang · Jun 5, 2020

It’s Akers job to lose. So Brown is a little better than average but someone like CJAnderson might be better insurance.

PressureD41 · Jun 6, 2020

For some reason (in my head) I had Floyd as an OLB. Stanley loves him some length. I think T. Lewis will be a starter by week 4 (Edge)

den-the-coach · Jun 6, 2020

Alright everyone, now for a real depth chart, the one in this thread is a disgrace.

Los Angeles Rams 2023 NFL Depth Chart - ESPN

Check out the 2023 Los Angeles Rams NFL depth chart on ESPN. Includes full details on starters, second, third and fourth tier Rams players.

www.espn.com

BC Ramfan · Jun 6, 2020

den-the-coach said:
Alright everyone, now for a real depth chart, the one in this thread is a disgrace.

Los Angeles Rams 2023 NFL Depth Chart - ESPN

Check out the 2023 Los Angeles Rams NFL depth chart on ESPN. Includes full details on starters, second, third and fourth tier Rams players.

www.espn.com

Not in love with that one either.
Noteboom at LG?
I'd put Ebukam at Strongside OLB.
Reeder behind Kiser at SILB, Howard at WILB.
Polite inside?
BC

den-the-coach · Jun 6, 2020

BC Ramfan said:
Not in love with that one either.
Noteboom at LG?
I'd put Ebukam at Strongside OLB.
Reeder behind Kiser at SILB, Howard at WILB.
Polite inside?
BC

It's the best one out there because it has Blythe at Center, far better then most. Yes, we know that Noteboom is the backup LT to Whit, but they are going off of last year. Reeder was the starter last year, so that makes send to me, but I more interested in having Blythe at Center, which is where he will start in 2020.

Ourlads has all the players and it's a good site, however, it also is not accurate.

2024 Los Angeles Rams Depth Chart | Ourlads.com

The most respected source for NFL Draft info among NFL Fans, Media, and Scouts, plus accurate, up to date NFL Depth Charts, Practice Squads and Rosters.

www.ourlads.com

Rams depth chart 2020: Projected starters for Week 1

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