https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2018/08/24/nfl-rams-texans-preseason-players-saturday-week-3/
5 Rams who need to play well against the Texans on Saturday
By: Cameron DaSilva
Time is winding down for players to prove themselves to the coaching staff with only two preseason games left on the schedule. As a result, the intensity has been turned up a notch, particularly for those first-year starters and guys fighting for roster spots.
For the Rams, there are a handful of guys that fall into those two categories, many of whom have to play well against the Texans on Saturday to impress the coaching staff.
Here are five players who need to step up.
OLB Samson Ebukam
Ebukam obviously isn’t competing for a roster spot as he’ll be one of the two starters at outside linebacker, but his performance in this game will be crucial. The Rams have expressed some concern about the pass rush by bringing in Junior Galette with Matt Longacre and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo injured, so any semblance of confidence Ebukam can give the coaching staff will go a long way.
Ideally, he’ll get to the quarterback once or twice, generate consistent pressure off the right side and show that he can win one-on-one with his pass-rush moves. After all, he’s going to see plenty of chances on the edge with so much attention being paid to Ndamukong Suh, Michael Brockers and Aaron Donald, when he returns.
RB Malcolm Brown
Brown, on the other hand, is fighting for a roster spot – although, he’s the front-runner to win the battle. With Todd Gurley resting once again, Brown should see the bulk of the carries in this one. Up to this point, it’s been the John Kelly show, and he’ll continue to get touches against Houston, but the Rams have to figure out what to do with Brown.
Is he deserving of a spot over the electric but injured Justin Davis? Does he do any one thing better than Kelly? Brown is a safe player and one McVay said “you win with,” but he doesn’t bring a spark to the offense and isn’t any better between the tackles than Kelly.
He has to show he can rip off some big gains and earn a spot on the roster before the Rams turn their eyes toward a more dynamic player like Davis.
WR Mike Thomas
Behind the three starters, Josh Reynolds, Pharoh Cooper and Thomas look like the guys Los Angeles will keep at wide receiver. Reynolds and Cooper are locks, but Thomas doesn’t have that same security. His downfield receiving ability is undeniable and he has good speed, but KhaDarel Hodge has broken out this preseason with a handful of nice catches.
Thomas is now tasked with fending off Hodge and Steven Mitchell, who cooked a Raiders cornerback in the red zone before Brandon Allen airmailed it out of bounds. Numbers aren’t everything in the preseason – in fact, they’re hardly the most important factor in a player’s roster chances – but Hodge and Mitchell have both looked strong in their route running and receiving ability.
Expect Thomas to get increased snaps this week as the Rams sort out his situation, but he has to capitalize on his opportunities with big plays and consistent hands.
CB Dominique Hatfield
With Kevin Peterson suffering a torn ACL, Hatfield doesn’t have a whole lot of competition at cornerback. Unfortunately, he’s still on the outside looking in right now thanks to Sam Shields and Troy Hill. Shields has looked somewhat shaky this preseason, particularly when it comes to tackling, and he’s not a lock to make the roster.
Hill, by the same token, hasn’t been great, either, thus opening the door for Hatfield to potentially sneak onto the final roster. There’s a chance the Rams keep six cornerbacks and four safeties, especially with Shields’ concussion history. If that’s the case, Hatfield will almost certainly make the cut.
He needs a strong showing against the Texans’ wide receivers on Saturday after playing relatively well in the first two preseason games.
ILB Cory Littleton
Mark Barron probably won’t play before Week 1, raising major questions about the Rams’ linebacker group up to this point. Littleton has yet to take a snap, either, while Ramik Wilson has looked pretty good all offseason. Littleton will most likely start next to Barron against the Raiders, so knocking off some rust this weekend will be key.
He has to practice his defensive calls, align everyone properly and take command of the defense for the first time in quite a while. A strong performance from him will ease the minds of McVay, Wade Phillips and Joe Barry, who are putting their faith in Littleton this year. He has to show he can handle the added workload in the middle of the defense.
