Analysis: Rams' initial 53-man roster for 2021
Aug 31, 2021 at 01:15 PM
Stu Jackson
Staff Writer
The Rams reduced their roster to the 53-man limit on Tuesday. Here's a position-by-position look at Los Angeles' first 53-man roster of the 2021 season.
Italicized names = rookies
QUARTERBACKS (3): Matthew Stafford, John Wolford, Bryce Perkins
For the first time since heading into the 2018 season, the Rams elected to carry three quarterbacks on their initial 53-man roster. Perkins' inclusion speaks to his performance not only in the preseason, but also the last year-plus as a member of Los Angeles' practice squad. Also of significance compared to last year's initial 53: Having reserves with live game experience. Wolford appeared in his first NFL game last year and also started a playoff game, while Perkins saw extensive action across each of the Rams' three preseason games this year.
RUNNING BACKS (3): Darrell Henderson Jr., Sony Michel, Jake Funk
With Akers sustaining a torn Achilles prior to training camp and being placed on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury list, Henderson is the lead back, with Michel's physical presence complementing Henderson and the rest of the group. Funk makes the roster after overcoming two ACL injuries in college and getting drafted in the seventh-round. Xavier Jones was Waived/Injured.
WIDE RECEIVERS (6): Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, DeSean Jackson, Van Jefferson, Tutu Atwell, Ben Skowronek
The wide receiver room looks a little bit different from last year's initial ensemble. Woods, Kupp and Jefferson return, with newcomer Jackson and rookies Atwell and Skowronek rounding out the group. Woods and Kupp enter their fifth season working together. Atwell brings speed that has also made him valuable as a punt returner, while Skowronek, as general manager Les Snead said this spring after he was drafted, brings a different "genre" the group doesn't have at 6-foot-3 and 224 pounds.
TIGHT ENDS (4): Tyler Higbee, Johnny Mundt, Brycen Hopkins, Jacob Harris
Similar to last year, the Rams elected to keep four tight ends on their initial 53-man roster. Higbee posted 44 receptions for 521 yards and a career-best five touchdowns, while Mundt's blocking made him a valuable asset in the run game. Hopkins mainly contributed on special teams when he saw action last year. Harris continues to learn the position after playing wide receiver in college.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Andrew Whitworth, David Edwards, Brian Allen, Austin Corbett, Rob Havenstein, Joe Noteboom, Bobby Evans, Tremayne Anchrum Jr., Alaric Jackson
This year's group of offensive linemen has plenty of game experience, whether it's starting (Whitworth, Edwards, Allen, Corbett, Havenstein, Noteboom, Evans) or special teams duty (Anchrum). Jackson is the only undrafted free agent to make the nitial 53-man roster.
Note: Coleman Shelton was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list on Tuesday and does not count toward the limit until activated.
DEFENSIVE LINE (7): A'Shawn Robinson, Aaron Donald, Sebastian Joseph-Day, Greg Gaines, Michael Hoecht, Jonah Wiliams, Bobby Brown III
The Rams' defensive line looks different this year with the departures of Michael Brockers and Morgan Fox. Robinson, Donald, Joseph-Day and Gaines return, with Hoecht and Williams – after strong preseasons this year and spending last year on their practice squad – rounding out the group along with rookie Bobby Brown III.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS (5): Leonard Floyd, Justin Hollins, Ogbo Okoronkwo, Terrell Lewis, Chris Garrett
The Rams go with five edge defenders this year, highlighted by seventh-round pick Chris Garrett making the rotation.
INSIDE LINEBACKERS (4): Troy Reeder, Kenny Young, Travin Howard, Ernest Jones
Reeder, Young and Howard return with starting experience. Jones had a solid preseason which included getting experience as defensive signal-caller.
CORNERBACKS (4): Jalen Ramsey, Darious Williams, David Long Jr., Robert Rochell
After initially carrying six cornerbacks last year, the Rams start with four this year. Long is expected to take on a bigger role this season following Troy Hill's departure.
SAFETIES (6): Taylor Rapp, Nick Scott, Terrell Burgess, Jordan Fuller, J.R. Reed, JuJu Hughes
The Rams' offseason roster had lots of depth at safety, and they go with a six-man group of Rapp, Scott, Furgess, Fuller and Reed. Rapp and Fuller both have starting experience. Scott has been a long-time special teams contributor and is capable of stepping up when needed. Burgess saw time on both defense and special teams as a rookie in 2020 and gives L.A.'s secondary options with his versatile background. Reed makes the initial 53-man after getting signed to the Rams' practice squad in September last year and eventually getting signed to the active roster in early December. Hughes appeared in 12 games last year – primarily on special teams – after beginning the 2020 season on their practice squad.
SPECIALISTS (2): Matt Gay (kicker), Matthew Orzech (long snapper)
Gay enters his first full season with the Rams after arriving in L.A. in mid-November 2020. Orzech beat out Steven Wirtel to succeed Jake McQuaide as the Rams' next longsnapper.
Note: Johnny Hekker remains on the Reserve/COVID-19 list but was allowed to be at Tuesday morning's practice.
