Stock up, stock down from Rams training camp: Allen and Jackson rising, Lewis falling

Stock up, stock down from Rams training camp: Allen and Jackson rising, Lewis falling

Brian Allen and DeSean Jackson are among the biggest risers from training camp, while Terrell Lewis is falling behind.

theramswire.usatoday.com

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Stock up, stock down from Rams training camp: Allen and Jackson rising, Lewis falling​

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Cameron DaSilva

August 11, 2021 8:28 am PT

The Rams wrapped up training camp at UC Irvine on Tuesday afternoon, their 10th and final practice on campus. They now head back to Thousand Oaks as they prepare for their first preseason game, which is on Saturday against the Chargers.
There’s still time to sort out position battles and figure out who on the roster bubble will wind up making the team, but camp helped provide a lot of clarity on the Rams’ current collection of players.

Here’s a stock report from camp, highlighting those who are rising and pointing out players who are heading in the wrong direction.

1
Stock up: C Brian Allen​

(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
In the final two days of camp, Allen managed to go from clear backup to current starter at center. He took first-team reps on Monday and Tuesday before Sean McVay told reporters at the end of camp that he would be the team’s starting center over Austin Corbett if they were to play a game right now.
McVay even went as far as to say he was one of the Rams’ standouts in camp. Now healthy again, Allen seems poised to start in Week 1.

2
Stock down: OLB Terrell Lewis​

(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lewis just can’t seem to stay healthy. He was held out of practice this week after his knee started acting up again, as McVay described it. The second-year pass rusher didn’t have his name called often during camp and is clearly behind Justin Hollins opposite Leonard Floyd at outside linebacker. It seems he’s destined for a similar role as he had last season, coming into the game situationally as a pass rusher.

3
Stock up: WR DeSean Jackson​

(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
There were plenty of doubters and skeptics when the Rams signed Jackson to a one-year deal worth $4.5 million this offseason, but he’s looked fantastic in camp. Seemingly every day he’s making catches deep down the field for touchdowns, proving he still has that top-end speed and can threaten defenses. Expect him to play a big role on offense this season, assuming he’s able to stay healthy.

4
Stock down: TE Brycen Hopkins​

(AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
The Rams have shared plenty of highlights of Tyler Higbee and Jacob Harris making plays, and we know Johnny Mundt has been getting reps with the second team, looking like the No. 2 tight end. But Hopkins had a very quiet camp, similar to the way his rookie year went. He’s listed as the third tight end on the depth chart, but it’s hard to see him having much of a role this season, especially if Harris keeps rising the way he has.

5
Stock up: ILB Kenny Young​

John McCoy-USA TODAY Sports
Young has emerged as a likely starter for the Rams at inside linebacker, which is a pleasant surprise. They need a steady player at that position after cycling through guys last season, and Young has previous experience as a starter with the Ravens. He still has to earn the starting spot and it remains to be seen who will be the Rams’ third-down linebacker in nickel and dime packages, but Young really stepped up in camp.

6
Stock down: RG Bobby Evans​

(AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
McVay has said glowing things about Allen and Corbett, clearly stating that if Allen starts at center, Corbett will be the right guard. He mentioned that Evans is a guy they have confidence in to come in and play if needed, but he hasn’t earned a starting job on the offensive line. In fact, it might be Evans’ play that has led the Rams to move Corbett to right guard and bumping Allen up to the starting role. Evans is a good player, but he still has room to improve as a guard.

7
Stock up: RB Xavier Jones​

John McCoy-USA TODAY Sports
McVay said Tuesday that he thinks Jones is “going to carve out a role for himself” and someone the Rams are “expecting to count on throughout the season.” That’s high praise for the second-year back, and it seems he’s poised to emerge as Darrell Henderson Jr.’s backup. McVay added that Jones is aware and willing in pass protection, a crucial part of playing the position, especially if he’s going to be a third-down back for the Rams. Jake Funk has also done a nice job and impressed McVay, but Jones has received a lot of high marks from the coach.

8
Stock down: ILB Christian Rozeboom​

(AP Photo/Andy Clayton- King)
Rozeboom is an intriguing player but one who’s fallen behind a bit at outside linebacker. Ernest Jones had a good camp, as did Young and Travin Howard. Micah Kiser and Troy Reeder don’t seem to be going anywhere, either, making Rozeboom the sixth linebacker. That’s probably not enough to earn a spot on the 53-man roster, unless he can vault Kiser, Reeder or Howard in the preseason. He could be destined for another year on the practice squad if he doesn’t make the 53-man team.

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[jjab360]

Only Blythe can be as bad as Blythe…..

I've got to be honest, Blythe wasn't even that bad imo. I think this point has been exaggerated to an extent

 

[So Ram]

These 2 players did well in camp. Hoecht is going to be out there giving 110 for sure. He will make the practice squad. J. Williams is running more with the 2nd unit.
Told oldbutnotdead that he wouldn’t make the 53, but it won’t be because of effort.

 

[So Ram]

I've got to be honest, Blythe wasn't even that bad imo. I think this point has been exaggerated to an extent

Went to the last OTA’s & Bobby Brown was rocking it.He seemed like he was going to fight for a rotation spot.

IMO - he is going to be put the pup list. We can talk about 2021 draft,but I do think there were only 3 players The Rams should have drafted. The one being Oklahoma Humphries.Feel into KC’s lap.

Austin Blythe was an Excellent Ram!! He just was not the long term solution.He would been the starter in KC if not for Humphries.

The Rams passed on him & drafted E. Jones. I think as Mcvay says ILB has a lot of depth.So be it The Rams development of players is excellent.

I actually think #66 Max has a ling time future with The Rams.I don’t know how his contract works.Next year he should be able to fight for a roster spot.

Brian Allen is playing for a contract so you always like a player like that.You know if they have any talent you’ll get there best effort.

 

[So Ram]

Monday David Edwards popped E. Jones straight up.He learned a tough lesson. Jones squares up on him, which is a no no when a BULL is running with his Horns Down.
He had to take a couple plays off to think about it. Rattled some teeth for sure.
David Edwards has been having a good camp. E. Jones has real good LBEr instincts & gets downfield in coverage.

 

[Tano]

I've got to be honest, Blythe wasn't even that bad imo. I think this point has been exaggerated to an extent

Rewatch the Jets and Green Bay game and then tell me what you think of Blythe

 

[dang]

I've got to be honest, Blythe wasn't even that bad imo. I think this point has been exaggerated to an extent

Blythe was not horrible but I would grade him as a C- starting OC. If we get B- play out of our starting OC we will see noticeable improvement.

 

[Tano]

Blythe was horrible but I would grade him as a C- starting OC. If we get B- play out of our starting OC we will see noticeable improvement.

Agree 100%

 

[dang]

Agree 100%

Had to correct to “not” horrible

 

[Tano]

Had to correct to “not” horrible

Still agree 100%

Blythe was okay on 1st down and 2nd and third and less than 7 yards but anything long and he sucked.

 

[thirteen28]

With regard to Allen, I listened to the 11 Personnel Podcast, and according to Jourdan he came into camp with a lot of determination to keep his job and has played with a lot of nastiness. The overall impression she gave was that his ascension this camp was largely a result of his getting bigger and better, although a little bit of it might also be due to blocking scheme with Akers being out.

And Jourdan has a lot of credibility, so we could have found our C by getting the new and improved Brian Allen. I certainly hope that's the case, because if he pans out and we can keep Corbett at RG, then we could have a pretty good unit up front. While I'm confident that Stafford can deal with pressure, I'd prefer he work from a clean pocket as much as possible (duh).