The Los Angeles Rams enter training camp with one of the deepest rosters they have assembled in recent years, creating fierce competition across multiple position groups. While several starting jobs appear secure, a handful of key battles could have a major impact on the team’s 53-man roster and depth chart heading into the 2026 season. According to Assistant General Manager John McKay and General Manager Les Snead, this projects to be one of the most difficult Rams rosters to make from a depth standpoint,
a testament to the organization’s recent success in drafting and developing talent. With three of the most intriguing competitions taking place on offense and another on defense, every practice rep and preseason snap will carry added significance as players fight to secure their place on a championship contender but also in the starting lineup.
Position Battle #1:
ILB #2 (Omar Speights vs. Shaun Dolac vs. Grant Stuard)
It seems almost certain that Nate Landman will wear the green dot again in 2026; leading Chris Shula’s defense. Omar Speights is the incumbent after starting next to Landman next year. However, his grasp on the starting job is likely loosening after below average performances down the stretch, especially in the NFC Championship Game against Seattle. Fans have begged for Shaun Dolac to get into the lineup more and that could be a direction the Rams go. Dolac will have to prove that he can hold his own in pass coverage as the Rams rely on their linebackers to drop into the intermediate part of the field. But the dark horse for the job could be Grant Stuard whom the Rams signed this offseason. Many believed he was signed to bring stability to the special teams but according to Sean McVay, Stuard will also get compete for opportunities on defense this summer.
Prediction: Grant Stuard
Position Battle #2:
TEs #2 and #3 (Tyler Higbee vs. Terrance Ferguson vs. Davis Allen vs. Max Klare)
In my opinion, all of these guys are going to play. It’s simply a matter of who will be on the field the most. Some of that may be determined on whether the Rams week to week game plan of utilizing a heavier rushing attack versus a heavier passing attack.
Colby Parkinson seems to have a firm grasp on the lead role in the tight end room. Tyler Higbee and Davis Allen appear to be utilized in more blocking situations while Terrance Ferguson and Max Klare will be asked to work in the slot and out wide.
This leads me to believe that Tyler Higbee and Terrance Ferguson will take the majority of the snaps from the other two tight ends. Max Klare will have to learn the system, play book, and nuances of tight end (a difficult position in the NFL).
Prediction: Tyler Higbee & Terrance Ferguson
Position Battle #3:
WR #3: Konata Mumpfield vs. CJ Daniels
You may notice that Jordan Whittington is omitted from this list. And he is. I just don’t see the Rams using Whittington as much in their 11 personnel. I think the #3 WR role will come down to 2025 7th round rookie Konata Mumpfield and 2026 6th round rookie CJ Daniels. I think the separating factor here will be CJ Daniels ability to separate and his hands. Mumpfield only caught 10 of 23 targets last year; showing limitations when catching the ball in contested situations.
Prediction: CJ Daniels
Position Battle #4:
RB #3: Jarquez Hunter vs. Ronnie Rivers
Both of these players could make the roster because of special teams as Ronnie Rivers as served in that role over the last 4 seasons. But strictly speaking for the running back room, I think Jarquez Hunter has the edge. Hunter did not see the field in 2025 which is not a surprising thing with McVay’s running backs. Year 2 is often when the running backs break out as we have seen with Kyren Williams and Blake Corum. I also recently shared that Jarquez Hunter could be a goal line option for the Rams as he has the biggest size of all the three running backs.
Prediction: Jarquez Hunter
OTAs are underway and training camp is about 6 weeks away. We’ll know soon enough who Sean McVay and Chris Shula have in mind for their starting roles on offense and defense.
