Rams 53-man roster projection: Post-minicamp edition

[Riverumbbq]

By: Cameron DaSilva | June 14, 2019 10:56 am ET

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Rams are off until they report for training camp on July 27, giving players some time off for the summer. With spring workouts, OTAs and minicamp in the rearview mirror, it’s time for another 53-man roster projection.

There aren’t a ton of changes from our last edition, which came immediately after the draft, but Blake Countess’ release and Morgan Fox’s position switch impacts things.

Quarterback (2)
Jared Goff
Blake Bortles

No changes here and there’s no reason to believe the Rams will carry three quarterbacks this season. Bortles is a very capable backup and unless he tanks in training camp and the preseason, he’ll be QB2 behind Goff.

Running back (4)
Todd Gurley
Malcolm Brown
Darrell Henderson
John Kelly

Justin Davis is the odd man out in this scenario. Gurley, Brown and Henderson are all but locks to make the team, while Kelly’s job isn’t necessarily secured yet. He still has to earn a roster spot because the Rams could carry three backs or replace him with Davis.

Wide receiver (6)
Brandin Cooks
Robert Woods
Cooper Kupp
Josh Reynolds
JoJo Natson
KhaDarel Hodge

The Rams have so much talent at their skill positions that they could probably get away with carrying just four wide receivers. They won’t go that thin, but their depth on offense is remarkable. Natson is valuable on special teams and Hodge has good potential, but either player could be bumped off by incoming rookies.

Tight end (3)
Gerald Everett
Tyler Higbee
Johnny Mundt

Picking the No. 3 tight end is like throwing darts. Mundt is competing with a handful of undrafted rookies, all of whom could take his spot on the roster. The only potential surprise at this position would be the Rams moving on from Higbee and fully committing to Everett.

Offensive line (8)
Andrew Whitworth
Rob Havenstein
Austin Blythe
Joseph Noteboom
Brian Allen
Bobby Evans
David Edwards
Jamil Demby

There isn’t much wiggle room with this group. Demby has practiced at all five spots, which makes him more valuable. The two rookies should make the team based on draft pedigree, while the other five players are in line to be starters.


Defensive line (6)

Aaron Donald
Michael Brockers
Greg Gaines
John Franklin-Myers
Sebastian Joseph-Day
Morgan Fox

Fox is moving back to the defensive line, which bumps Tanzel Smart off the roster. The Rams have enough talent at nose tackle to move on from him. Gaines and Joseph-Day will compete for the starting job, while Brockers has the versatility to line up at the nose in sub-packages, allowing Fox or Franklin-Myers to get on the field.

Outside linebacker (6)
Dante Fowler Jr.
Clay Matthews
Samson Ebukam
Ogbonnia Okoronkwo
Trevon Young
Josh Carraway

Carraway is a newcomer from our last projection and is the beneficiary of Smart not making the team in this scenario. Carraway has a strong athletic profile and could make an impression on the coaches at a relatively unproven position.

Inside linebacker (4)
Cory Littleton
Micah Kiser
Dakota Allen
Bryce Hager

Hager’s special teams play is valuable and the Rams don’t exactly have many answers behind projected starters Littleton and Kiser. Natrez Patrick is an undrafted rookie to watch and Clay Matthews will contribute inside, too, but depth is needed at this spot.

Cornerback (6)
Marcus Peters
Aqib Talib
Nickell Robey-Coleman
David Long
Troy Hill
Kevin Peterson

Hill is locked in after signing an extension, but the Rams could opt to carry just five cornerbacks, leaving Peterson, Dominque Hatfield and others on the outside looking in. This is a talented group with a good mix of young and old.

Safety (5)
John Johnson
Eric Weddle
Taylor Rapp
Nick Scott
Marqui Christian

Wade Phillips mentioned the Rams having “a lot of safeties” who can contribute and that’s proven evident by this depth chart. Scott will be a great special teams addition, while Rapp and Christian can both be hybrid linebackers in passing situations, replacing Kiser in sub-packages.

Special teams (3)
Greg Zuerlein
Johnny Hekker
Jake McQuaide

Nothing will change here from now until at least the end of next season, barring injuries. Zuerlein could use an extension, though, as he enters the final year of his contract.


https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2019/06/14/nfl-rams-53-man-roster-projection-minicamp/2/

 

[TexasRam]

Pretty solid looking.

Zero chance we see Higbee cut though.

 

[OldSchool]

Fox, Natson, Hodge, Mundt and Peterson are all on the edge imo.

 

[Memento]

I'd put in Blanton over Mundt, Lawler over Carraway, and Travin Howard over Marqui Christian, but otherwise, it looks solid.

 

[MauiRam]

I can't wait to see Nick Scott on special teams. He may have been drafted in round seven (only13 players were left in round), but the fact that "Bones" wanted him badly speaks volumes for Nick. He's had a lot of ST experience, and has experience as a gunner on kickoffs/punts and is capable of returning punts as well - possibly kickoffs too. Nothing against Jo Jo, but every roster spot is going to be hard won.

 

[Akrasian]

Given how hard fought the end of the roster will be, I'm skeptical about Natson. It's hard to justify a pure punt returner - and not a great one - making it over somebody more versatile.

 

[Ram65]

JoJo Natson
KhaDarel Hodge

JoJo should gogo.

Liked Hodge last year, Looking forward to see more. He seems to have the ability to make plays.

Johnny Mundt

He will have a fight on his hands but, someone has to take his job away.

Dakota Allen
Bryce Hager

Looking forward to instinctive and smart DA play.

Can Hager hang on another year? Not sure. Time maybe running out on Bryce.

 

[shovelpass]

 

[fearsomefour]

Last two WR spots, #3 TE, Demby, Fox, Day, the last S spot....all areas where there could be some change.
But, it is nice to be projection depth turnover and not desperately searching the roster for starters.
OL depth (as always), DL and LB will have my attention this preseason.

 

[den-the-coach]

I'd put in Blanton over Mundt,

You have me pumped about Kendall Blanton out of Mizzou.....Blanton has great size and according to you a great blocker and IMO, the Rams could use that...6'6 262 almost like having a 3rd tackle!

 

[A.J. Hicks]

Isn't Tanzel Smart the ideal 3 technique to back up AD?

Anybody think Michael Thomas has a chance to make the roster after being injured last year? The guy was an absolute beast as a gunner and I believe we had him in on some return duties. There was a recent Robert Woods highlight catch in the back of the endzone during OTAs and the other receiver making a catch on the play was Michael Thomas.

I am also very excited about Nick Scott. He'll make an impact early on Special Teams but I think he's a guy like Cory Littleton that will work his butt off for Bones and end up being an impact player on defense.

 

[Memento]

You have me pumped about Kendall Blanton out of Mizzou.....Blanton has great size and according to you a great blocker and IMO, the Rams could use that...6'6 262 almost like having a 3rd tackle!

Blanton's an excellent blocker. That's how he got on the field with Albert Okwuegbunam (a potential first round pick next year) ahead of him on the tight end depth chart. He's also an underrated receiver. Not Albert O potential, but pretty good.

I loved this pickup more than any other UDFA.

 

[RamDino]

Anybody think Michael Thomas has a chance to make the roster after being injured last year?

I remember Thomas being great on special teams too, but I also had high hopes that he might break out as a receiver last year. Then the Rams signed Cooks, and Thomas got injured in the preseason. His career might be over if he doesn't show something soon.

 

[Ram65]

Anybody think Michael Thomas has a chance to make the roster after being injured last year? The guy was an absolute beast as a gunner and I believe we had him in on some return duties.

I remember Thomas being great on special teams too, but I also had high hopes that he might break out as a receiver last year. Then the Rams signed Cooks, and Thomas got injured in the preseason. His career might be over if he doesn't show something soon.

Thomas was coming on. He made some plays in the last game against the Whiners in 2017. Very good gunner. Seems like his time is running out with injury history but, he could still stick with a good camp.

 

[den-the-coach]

Isn't Tanzel Smart the ideal 3 technique to back up AD?

Never liked Smart, but maybe because he was miscast at NT, but whenever Tanzel was in the game the opposition gashed the Rams right up the gut. It improved somewhat last season with Suh at NT, but was still an issue and unless Smart shines in preseason, I believe he'll have a hard time making the roster and maybe you're right maybe Smart is more of a 3 technique DT.

 

[Riverumbbq]

JoJo should gogo.

Just curious, ... should Natson be cut, who becomes our designated punt returner ? I'm not worried at K/R as we have a few who might step in, but do we have all that many options as a PR ? Bones will be working overtime developing this threat.

 

[Ram65]

Just curious, ... should Natson be cut, who becomes our designated punt returner ? I'm not worried at K/R as we have a few who might step in, but do we have all that many options as a PR ? Bones will be working overtime developing this threat.

Good question. It doesn't appear that the Rams have a lot of options. Henderson would be one with his speed and quickness with experience early in his college career IIRC. It's a good way to get him more touches. UDFA Backman WR has some experience IIRC. He adds the ability to play WR with speed and good route running. Many like his chances of making the team. Micheal Thomas is a better WR and has some experience as a punt returner. Nick Scott former RB and KR could get a look at punt returning.

Anyone else?

 

[Riverumbbq]

Anyone else?

Not a lot of experience with punt returners on the roster from what I can see, but a couple of otherwise bubble players like KhaDarel Hodge, Dominique Hatfield, John Kelly & Darious Williams could certainly enhance their prospects by showing something here. The Rams may prefer Nick Scott as more of a gunner, but he offers a strong possibility, as does David Long. It would be great for our depth if it were a player who is more likely to earn some field time also as a positional back-up, where Natson is unlikely to see playing time elsewhere. jmo.

 

[Soul Surfer]

I'd put ....Lawler over Carraway

That's what I was thinking.

He's been floating around the league and I figured he was just a camp body.

Lawler seems to have potential.

 

[dang]

Excellent write-up. The NFL is a tough business so no disrespect to the players but I hope the following are not on the 53 man roster:

JoJo Natson - can only return kicks and he was making me nervous by the end of the season

Johnny Mundt - I am hopeful that one of the UDFAs wins a spot

Dakota Allen - might be a good stash on the PS but I really think we need a veteran addition at ILB to fill out this squad. Still thinking was could have been with Zach Brown.

I am on board with everyone else but still scouring the waiver wire for talent.