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On the latest episode of Butting Heads, Johnny Gomez and I made our predictions for the Los Angeles Rams’ final 53-man roster. Here’s the 53-man roster that I came up with ahead of the Rams final preseason game against the Saints.
Offense
Quarterback: Jared Goff, Sean Mannion
Mannion is unfortunately the best option the Rams have on the roster to backup Jared Goff. The Rams would have to wait until after roster cuts to see if there is a better option out there. With the Seahawks recently acquiring Brett Hundley, maybe we’ll see the return of a familiar face?
Running Back: Todd Gurley, Malcolm Brown, John Kelly
Don’t be surprised if preseason MVP John Kelly ends up taking over Malcolm Brown’s role as the backup running back. Rookie Justin Davis was a tough cut here, but the Rams have no reason to keep more than three running backs given how capable each of them are. I’d love to see Davis on the practice squad.
Wide Receiver: Brandin Cooks, Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, Pharoh Cooper, Josh Reynolds, KhaDarel Hodge
Mike Thomas is the favorite to land the sixth spot here, but wishful thinking has me picking KhaDarel Hodge. Hodge has impressed this preseason and has shown more flashes of greatness in a few games than Thomas has in his entire tenure with the Rams. There’s an outside chance both make the team, but I’d prefer Hodge to be the guy if only one does.
Tight End: Gerald Everett, Tyler Higbee, Temarrick Hemingway
Yikes. You know it’s bad when Hemingway, the LVP of the Rams preseason, still makes the team due to a lack of much else on the depth chart. Johnny chose Johnny Mundt to take the final spot on our podcast, which wouldn’t be a shock. The Rams need to keep three tight ends due to Everett’s health and the fact that this is the weakest position on the roster. Expect the team to keep an eye on league-wide cuts to try and replace Hemingway as the third tight end.
Offensive Line: Andrew Whitworth, Roger Saffold, John Sullivan, Rob Havenstein, Austin Blythe, Joseph Noteboom, Brian Allen, Jamil Demby, Darrel Williams
Suspended: Jamon Brown
Brown won’t count against the active roster during his two game suspension, so I anticipate Darrel Williams will make the team and be released once Brown returns from suspension. Austin Blythe is expected to take over at right guard during Brown’s suspension.
Feels good to have a group of linemen you can feel good about right? It’s been a while. Even without Brown, these guys should be able to keep Goff on his feet for the majority of the season this year.
Defense
Defensive Line: Aaron Donald, Michael Brockers, Ndamukong Suh, Dominique Easley, Ethan Westbrooks, John Franklin-Myers, Sebastian Joseph-Day, Tanzel Smart
Both Joseph-Day and Smart will be sweating until the rosters are finalized, but I think both will snag spots on this loaded unit. I’m factoring Donald in as if he’ll be signed and on the active roster soon. It’s worth noting that Dominique Easley saw a lot of time at outside linebacker in his lone preseason appearance, but the Rams website still has him listed as a defensive tackle.
Outside Linebacker: Samson Ebukam, Matt Longacre, Justin Lawler, Ejuan Price
PUP: Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, IR: Morgan Fox
Arguably the weakest unit on the Rams defense has been bitten by the injury bug. It’s all but certain Okoronkwo will start the season on the PUP list, clearing the way for preseason breakout Ejuan Price to secure a spot on the roster. This group will look a bit better if Easley can transition into an edge rusher well.
Inside Linebacker: Mark Barron, Cory Littleton, Micah Kiser, Ramik Wilson, Travin Howard
Howard sneaks in here as a special teams specialist. The Rams have decent depth at this position even if whichever of these three starts next to Barron won’t exactly be an elite starter. Expect Micah Kiser to be one of the Rams breakout stars on defense and secure a starting role as the season rolls along.
Cornerback: Aqib Talib, Marcus Peters, Nickell Robey-Coleman, Sam Shields, Taurean Nixon, Troy Hill
IR: Kevin Peterson
The deepest position on the Rams roster. Sam Shields showed enough in the preseason to make us feel confident he’ll flourish in his role as the Rams rotation cornerback. The never impressive Troy Hill continues to fight another day with the Rams due to his experience.
Safety: LaMarcus Joyner, John Johnson III, Marqui Christian, Blake Countess
Two solidified starters backed up by two question marks. Les Snead has had incredible success at filling the safety position whenever we have turnover, so I have no doubts in his ability to replace Johnson or Joyner should one go down with an injury. Don’t be surprised if Sam Shields or one of the other cornerbacks were given a shot at safety should that scenario happen either.
Special Teams
Kicker: Greg Zuerlein
Punter: Johnny Hekker
Long Snapper: Jake McQuaide
The best special teams in the NFL returns for another season. Hopefully, our All-Pro punt returner doesn’t let us down again this year. I don’t think he will.
The Los Angeles Rams play their final preseason game tonight against the New Orleans Saints. Expect cuts to start as early as tomorrow.
Steve Rebeiro is a staff writer and podcast host for Rams Talk. He is an alumni of Marquette University. For more of his opinions, follow him on Twitter here.
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On the latest episode of Butting Heads, Johnny Gomez and I made our predictions for the Los Angeles Rams’ final 53-man roster. Here’s the 53-man roster that I came up with ahead of the Rams final preseason game against the Saints.
Offense
Quarterback: Jared Goff, Sean Mannion
Mannion is unfortunately the best option the Rams have on the roster to backup Jared Goff. The Rams would have to wait until after roster cuts to see if there is a better option out there. With the Seahawks recently acquiring Brett Hundley, maybe we’ll see the return of a familiar face?
Running Back: Todd Gurley, Malcolm Brown, John Kelly
Don’t be surprised if preseason MVP John Kelly ends up taking over Malcolm Brown’s role as the backup running back. Rookie Justin Davis was a tough cut here, but the Rams have no reason to keep more than three running backs given how capable each of them are. I’d love to see Davis on the practice squad.
Wide Receiver: Brandin Cooks, Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, Pharoh Cooper, Josh Reynolds, KhaDarel Hodge
Mike Thomas is the favorite to land the sixth spot here, but wishful thinking has me picking KhaDarel Hodge. Hodge has impressed this preseason and has shown more flashes of greatness in a few games than Thomas has in his entire tenure with the Rams. There’s an outside chance both make the team, but I’d prefer Hodge to be the guy if only one does.
Tight End: Gerald Everett, Tyler Higbee, Temarrick Hemingway
Yikes. You know it’s bad when Hemingway, the LVP of the Rams preseason, still makes the team due to a lack of much else on the depth chart. Johnny chose Johnny Mundt to take the final spot on our podcast, which wouldn’t be a shock. The Rams need to keep three tight ends due to Everett’s health and the fact that this is the weakest position on the roster. Expect the team to keep an eye on league-wide cuts to try and replace Hemingway as the third tight end.
Offensive Line: Andrew Whitworth, Roger Saffold, John Sullivan, Rob Havenstein, Austin Blythe, Joseph Noteboom, Brian Allen, Jamil Demby, Darrel Williams
Suspended: Jamon Brown
Brown won’t count against the active roster during his two game suspension, so I anticipate Darrel Williams will make the team and be released once Brown returns from suspension. Austin Blythe is expected to take over at right guard during Brown’s suspension.
Feels good to have a group of linemen you can feel good about right? It’s been a while. Even without Brown, these guys should be able to keep Goff on his feet for the majority of the season this year.
Defense
Defensive Line: Aaron Donald, Michael Brockers, Ndamukong Suh, Dominique Easley, Ethan Westbrooks, John Franklin-Myers, Sebastian Joseph-Day, Tanzel Smart
Both Joseph-Day and Smart will be sweating until the rosters are finalized, but I think both will snag spots on this loaded unit. I’m factoring Donald in as if he’ll be signed and on the active roster soon. It’s worth noting that Dominique Easley saw a lot of time at outside linebacker in his lone preseason appearance, but the Rams website still has him listed as a defensive tackle.
Outside Linebacker: Samson Ebukam, Matt Longacre, Justin Lawler, Ejuan Price
PUP: Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, IR: Morgan Fox
Arguably the weakest unit on the Rams defense has been bitten by the injury bug. It’s all but certain Okoronkwo will start the season on the PUP list, clearing the way for preseason breakout Ejuan Price to secure a spot on the roster. This group will look a bit better if Easley can transition into an edge rusher well.
Inside Linebacker: Mark Barron, Cory Littleton, Micah Kiser, Ramik Wilson, Travin Howard
Howard sneaks in here as a special teams specialist. The Rams have decent depth at this position even if whichever of these three starts next to Barron won’t exactly be an elite starter. Expect Micah Kiser to be one of the Rams breakout stars on defense and secure a starting role as the season rolls along.
Cornerback: Aqib Talib, Marcus Peters, Nickell Robey-Coleman, Sam Shields, Taurean Nixon, Troy Hill
IR: Kevin Peterson
The deepest position on the Rams roster. Sam Shields showed enough in the preseason to make us feel confident he’ll flourish in his role as the Rams rotation cornerback. The never impressive Troy Hill continues to fight another day with the Rams due to his experience.
Safety: LaMarcus Joyner, John Johnson III, Marqui Christian, Blake Countess
Two solidified starters backed up by two question marks. Les Snead has had incredible success at filling the safety position whenever we have turnover, so I have no doubts in his ability to replace Johnson or Joyner should one go down with an injury. Don’t be surprised if Sam Shields or one of the other cornerbacks were given a shot at safety should that scenario happen either.
Special Teams
Kicker: Greg Zuerlein
Punter: Johnny Hekker
Long Snapper: Jake McQuaide
The best special teams in the NFL returns for another season. Hopefully, our All-Pro punt returner doesn’t let us down again this year. I don’t think he will.
The Los Angeles Rams play their final preseason game tonight against the New Orleans Saints. Expect cuts to start as early as tomorrow.
Steve Rebeiro is a staff writer and podcast host for Rams Talk. He is an alumni of Marquette University. For more of his opinions, follow him on Twitter here.
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