The Los Angeles Rams were the busiest team last week, in terms of changing the roster, by trading for Myles Garrett and sending Jared Verse to the Browns. How does the 53-man roster project to be finalized with the Rams’ current crop of players?
Rams Offense
QB.- Matthew Stafford, Stetson Bennett, Ty Simpson
RB – Kyren Williams, Blake Corum, Jarquez Hunter
WR – Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, Jordan Whittington, Konata Mumpfield, CJ Daniels, Xavier Smith (PR)
TE – Tyler Higbee, Terrance Ferguson, Colby Parkinson, Max
Klare
OL – AJ Jackson, Steve Avila, Coleman Shelton, Kevin Dotson, Warren McClendon, Keagan Trost, Beaux Limmer, Justin Dedich, AJ Arcuri
Rams Defense and Special Teams
DL – Kobie Turner, Poona Ford, Braden Fiske, Tyler Davis, Ty Hamilton, Tim Keenan
EDGE – Myles Garrett, Byron Young, Josaiah Stewart, Desjuan Johnson
LB – Nate Landman, Omar Speights, Grant Stuard, Shaun Dolac, LB Nikhai Hill-Green
CB – Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson, Emmanuel Forbes, Josh Wallace, Al’zillion Hamilton
S – Quentin Lake, Kam Kinchens, Kam Curl, Jaylen McCollough
ST – K Harrison Mevis, P Ethan Evans, LS Joe Cardona
Toughest Cuts
T David Quessenberry
The original 53 names I came up with leaned more heavily on offensive players than defense, necessitating a cut there to add a name on defense. Between Quessenberry and Arcuri, I went with the younger (but at 28, still not that young) Arcuri. Although he doesn’t have much experience, it’s easier to pick up Quessenberry later if the Rams need to do that.
After his cut, I was able to add undrafted free agent rookie Nikhai Hill-Green back to the roster.
RB Ronnie Rivers
Still leaning heavily on offense, Rivers was the next cut. Three running backs on an initial 53-man roster is not unusual and there’s nothing that Rivers does that other players on the roster can’t do, including as a return man. You could make the argument that Jarquez Hunter needs to earn a job this season given that he didn’t see the field on offense as a rookie.
With this cut, rookie seventh round pick Tim Keenan is back onto the roster.
TE Davis Allen (trade)
To go one more step towards balance. Davis Allen could be a trade candidate as Sean McVay cuts down from an extraordinary six tight ends to five, which is still a lot. And the Rams have other tight ends who will be no worse than practice squad players, like Dan Villari and Mark Redman.
Trading Allen helps get rookie corner Hamilton onto the roster as the final piece.
