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Five Rams positional battles to watch in training camp | Sporting News
What are the key positional battles to watch for the Rams in training camp?
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Five Rams positional battles to watch in training camp
Training camp for the Los Angeles Rams is right around the corner. In camp, rosters truly begin to take shape and players start to separate themselves from each other. Most of the Rams' starting lineup is pretty set, as they return most of their starters on both sides of the ball.However, there are plenty of spots on the depth chart up for grabs. Many backup spots are in for serious competition and need to have an answer at before the start of the season.
1.) Backup quarterback
Matthew Stafford is obviously entrenched as the starting quarterback for the Rams. However, he's battled injuries every year with the Rams, making the backup quarterback spot important. The Rams signed Jimmy Garoppolo in free agency to a one-year deal, but will also have 2023 fourth-round pick Stetson Bennett returning after an absence for most of the 2023 season.
Garoppolo seems like a shoo-in for this spot, given his experience, but if Bennett can push him and earn this role, that's a good sign for the young quarterback's development.
2.) Starting FS
The Rams don't really use the traditional FS/SS designation, so this is more of a positional diagnosis. The Rams used Jordan Fuller as their deep safety in 2023, but Fuller departed in free agency, leaving that spot up for grabs. There's a three-way battle for that spot between Russ Yeast, John Johnson III, and Kamren Kinchens.
Johnson has been at his best when he can roam the field, playing deep and in the box depending on the coverage and look. Yeast has struggled on the field the last two seasons, while Kinchens is just a rookie. There might not be a "winner" here out of camp, but Kinchens stepping up and seizing this spot would be a boost for the Rams' defense.
3.) LB3
The Rams rostered just three linebackers last season, and I'm not sure that number will change this year. Ernest Jones is the team's top linebacker and arguably their most important defender this season. Christian Rozeboom is the likely LB2 given his familiarity with the defense and his return to that role last year. This leaves a battle for that last spot between five players: Jake Hummel, Troy Reeder, Olakunle Fatukasi, Omar Speights, and Elias Neal.
Hummel won the spot last season on the Rams' initial 53-man roster, but ended up getting out-snapped by Reeder. Speights has flashed some in college, but two straight years of poor tape led to him falling to become an undrafted free agent. Reeder feels like the favorite out of this room, but there doesn't seem to be a real "correct" answer here.
4.) CB3
This spot becomes widely important because of Tre'Davious White's injury history. We don't really even know if White will be ready for the start of the season, making this spot even more crucial, as they'll be the first player to step in to back him up.
The Rams are relying on a trio of young, unproven players to hold this spot: Cobie Durant, Derion Kendrick, and Tre Tomlinson. Durant has been the only one to put out positive tape so far, but struggled in his second season with the Rams. Someone stepping up to lock this spot down would be a relief for the Rams' defensive depth.
5.) WR depth
The Rams' top three receivers are set with Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, and Demarcus Robinson. The spots behind them aren't quite as settled though, and could reveal a shift in the direction of the team. Tutu Atwell is competing with rookies Jordan Whittington, Sam Wiglusz, Drake Stoops, and JJ Laap, as well as former fifth-round pick Tyler Johnson, for playing time. There might not be anybody outright cut, as the Rams have kept six and even seven wide receivers on their initial 53-man roster in previous years, but this spot will be telling.
Will Jordan Whittington become the team's WR4? He's stepped up and adjusted to the offense quickly so far. His blocking ability and special teams acumen might give him the edge over Atwell in an offense that wants to run the ball. Johnson has caught just two passes over the last two seasons, both in the Rams' backup-driven Week 18 win over the 49ers, while Stoops, Wiglusz, and Laap could also serve on special teams as returners or gunners. Who emerges out of here will be a story to monitor.
