https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2018/08/29/nfl-rams-roster-bubble-preseason-saints-players/
Rams roster bubble: 4 players who need to step up vs. Saints
By: Cameron DaSilva
Roster cuts are coming which means 37 players from each team will be left without jobs by 4 p.m. ET on Saturday. The Los Angeles Rams have just a few days to decide which 37 to part ways with, not all of which will be easy choices.
There’s still one preseason game left to play on Thursday night, which will be huge for a handful of guys on the roster bubble. Certainly, there are more than just these four on the fringe of the 53-man squad, but these specific players have to perform well this week.
Besides John Kelly, no player has made more of a name for himself than Hodge. The undrafted rookie has regularly made big plays, be it his touchdown catch against the Ravens or his 47-yard reception against Oakland. The kid simply knows how to come down with the ball and it’s caused the coaching staff to give him another look.
Unfortunately, the Rams are stacked at wide receiver with Brandin Cooks, Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods atop the depth chart. Behind them are Josh Reynolds and Mike Thomas, the latter of whom is the player Hodge could possibly overtake.
Thomas won’t be out there Thursday against the Saints, which gives Hodge the big stage to prove himself. A big game could push him ahead of Thomas.
OT Darrell Williams/Cornelius Lucas
Williams has been terrible this preseason, struggling in pass protection as well as run blocking. Jamil Demby has seen time at tackle opposite Joseph Noteboom, which isn’t good news for Williams’ chances of making the final roster.
With the Rams resting their starters and presumably a large chunk of their primary backups, there’s a chance neither Noteboom nor Demby will play Thursday night. That’ll leave Williams and Cornelius Lucas as the top tackles on the field.
If they can’t protect Brandon Allen and Luis Perez, they’ll both be on the chopping block. As it stands right now, they’re probably on the outside looking in regardless. Thursday will be crucial for both.
LB Travin Howard
Howard made his 2018 debut on Saturday, playing 22 snaps on defense. The rookie injured his ankle early in camp and took a while to get back, which hurt his chances of making the final roster right off the bat. He’s an athletic linebacker with good range, but the Rams haven’t been given much time to find a position for him.
He has experience at safety and linebacker in the way that Mark Barron does, but are 22 snaps and a few weeks of practice enough to grant him a spot on the 53-man squad? Probably not, especially with the Rams having Barron, Cory Littleton, Ramik Wilson, Micah Kiser and Bryce Hager all likely to make the team.
NT Sebastian Joseph-Day
The Rams’ talent on the defensive line is well known, headlined by Aaron Donald, Michael Brockers and Ndamukong Suh. Ethan Westbrooks has been dominant in the preseason, John Franklin-Myers has flashed at multiple spots and Tanzel Smart appears on track to make the team.
That could leave Joseph-Day on the roster if the Rams choose to go heavy at outside linebacker and a bit lighter on the defensive line. He’s flashed a few times in the preseason and has the advantage of being a rookie draft pick, but with so many strong players up front, he could get lost in the shuffle.
Assuming he plays Thursday, Joseph-Day needs to have a good outing to solidify his place on the team before Saturday’s cuts happen.