The Los Angeles Rams completed their spring/early summer OTA practices last week. Following the conclusion of OTAs, we released a 53-man roster prediction . However, the 53-man roster prediction may lack some context and fail to show where some of the key roster battles will take place during the summer and how many spots are actually available. The goal here will be to see who are locks on the roster, who is on the bubble, and which players are considered long shots.
There aren’t as many open spots on the roster this year as last year, when the Rams added 40 new players, but there is still opportunity. To show just how many spots are available on the Rams roster, let’s take a look at the locks, near-locks, bubble players, and longshots this summer.
Locks (22)
Quarterbacks: Matthew Stafford, Stetson Bennett, Jimmy Garoppolo*
Running Backs: Kyren Williams, Blake Corum
Wide Receivers: Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, Demarcus Robinson
Tight End: Tyler Higbee*, Colby Parkinson, Davis Allen
Offensive Tackles: Alaric Jackson, Joe Notteboom, Rob Havenstein
Interior Offensive Line: Jonah Jackson, Steve Avila, Kevin Dotson
Linebacker: Ernest Jones
Edge Rusher: Byron Young, Jared Verse, Michael Hocht
Cornerbacks: Trey White, Darroyce Williams
Security: Kam Curl, Quentin Lake
Defensive Line: Bobby Brown III, Kobi Turner, Braden Fiske
Experts: Ethan Evans, Alex Ward
It’s hard to disagree with most of this list. When the initial 53-man roster is released after the final preseason game, many will be surprised if anyone listed above is left out. One complaint that some may have is Michael Hocht. However, the Rams had a chance to not bring Hocht back this offseason and opted to tender him. He will be on the roster.
not-quiet-lock (13)
Running Back: Ronnie Rivers
Wide Receiver: Tutu Atwell
Tight End: Hunter Long
Offensive Tackle: Warren McClendon
Interior Offensive Line: Beaux Limmer
Linebacker: Christian Rozeboom
Edge Rusher: Nick Hampton, Brennan Jackson
Cornerbacks: Koby Durant, Derion Kendrick
Safety: Kam Kinchens, Rus Yeast
Expert: Joshua Carty
If anyone from this group is cut, they will have to go through a particularly bad training camp. The only other case would be that the Rams don’t see any of these players as a fit and trade them as they did with Van Jefferson last year. That could be the case for someone like Tutu Atwell. Some might prefer to see Derion Kendrick and Russ Yeast on the bubble. However, each player brings experienced depth and it’s possible that Yeast starts in the Bibb nickel/star role early in the year. An argument could be made for Carty. With that being said, given the Rams’ luck at kicker last year, nothing is guaranteed at that spot.
On the Bubble (19)
Running Backs: Boston Scott, Jack Evans
Wide Receivers: Jordan Whittington, Tyler Johnson
Offensive Tackles: Logan Bruce, AJ Arcuri
Interior Offensive Line: K.T. Levston
Linebackers: Jake Hummel, Troy Reeder, Omar Speights
Edge Rusher: Ochan Mathis
Cornerbacks: Josh Wallace, Shawn Jolly, Cameron McCutchen
Safeties: Jason Taylor, Tanner Ingle
Defensive Line: Tyler Davis, Larrell Murchison, Desjuan Johnson
This group will be something to keep an eye on in training camp. It will be especially interesting to see what the Rams do at wide receiver and cornerback. Josh Wallace is a guy I see as a potential surprise addition to the roster as an undrafted free agent. Also, Logan Bruce is a guy many will be keeping an eye on. After being a surprise cut last year, Bruce spent the year on the practice squad. Has he developed over the past year or will the Rams just cut their losses?
Long shots (12)
Wide Receivers: Xavier Smith, Drake Stoops, JJ Lapp
Tight End: Miller Forristall
Offensive Tackle: Jack Thomas
Interior Offensive Line: Mike McAllister, Grant Miller
Edge Rusher: Jack VanValkenburg, Keir Thomas
Safety: Kenny Logan
Defensive Line: Tuli Letuligasenoa
Expert: Tanner Brown
The interesting position group here is wide receiver. A player like Drake Stoops could become a fan favorite throughout training camp and the preseason. Meanwhile, given the new kickoff rules, Xavier Smith should have an opportunity to make his case for a roster spot. Kenny Logan will be an undrafted free agent to keep an eye on throughout camp. There will be a lot of stiff competition for the final safety spot or two on the roster.
Camp bodies
Quarterback: Dresser Winn
Wide Receiver: Sam Wiglas
Tight End: Nikola Kalinic, Neil Johnson
Offensive Tackle: Blake Larson
Interior Offensive Line: Justin Dedich
Linebacker: Olakui Fatukasi, Elias Neal
Cornerbacks: Cam Lampkin, Charles Woods
Safety: Jaylen McCollough
Defensive Line, Corey Durden, Anthony Goodlow, David Olajigba
The best-case scenario for any of the players mentioned above is to earn a spot on the practice squad. Realistically, they will hope to put up good enough tape in training camp and preseason to earn a tryout with another team.
More Than Turf Show Times
- Rams 2025 Mock Draft: Is tackle the next target?
- Rams stock up, stock down: Who has the momentum after OTAs?
- Random Ramsdom: Should the Jets have traded up with LA during the draft?
- Sean McVay’s Rams offense explained, by an expert
- Rams lay groundwork for important training camp in Los Angeles
- What is each Rams player’s outlook heading into training camp?
