After two weeks of training camp, three preseason games, two joint practices and an entire offseason of work, the Los Angeles Rams have finally trimmed their roster down to 53 players. On paper, they're arguably the best team in the NFL, boasting a star-studded starting lineup and a collection of backups who could probably be first-stringers on other teams.
That made for some incredibly difficult decisions, but on Sunday, they announced their initial 53-man roster. They kept three quarterbacks and a stockpile of wide receivers, as well as an abundance of offensive line depth – a necessity with some uncertainty surrounding multiple players.
On defense, the Rams are equally loaded, headlined by Myles Garrett, Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson. Oh,
and Aaron Donald is back, too.
Here's a look at their 53-man roster.
Quarterback (3)
- Starter: Matthew Stafford
- Backups: Stetson Bennett, Ty Simpson
Sean McVay said the Rams were going to keep three quarterbacks, and that's exactly what they did. Now to find out who the No. 2 guy will be...
Running back (3)
- Starter: Kyren Williams
- Backups: Blake Corum, Ronnie Rivers
Trading away Jarquez Hunter changed this group a little bit, leaving the Rams with only three running backs on the 53-man roster. They'll likely try to get Dean Connors and/or Jordan Waters back on the practice squad, but that's not guaranteed.
Wide receiver (7)
- Starters: Puka Nacua, Davante Adams
- Backups: Jordan Whittington, Konata Mumpfield, Tutu Atwell, Xavier Smith, CJ Daniels
The Rams are stocked with talent at wide receiver, even if their WR3 isn't as clear-cut as some other teams. The Rams have options with Whittington, Mumpfield, Atwell and Smith.
Tight end (5)
- Starters: Colby Parkinson, Tyler Higbee, Terrance Ferguson
- Backup: Davis Allen, Max Klare
This has been the tight end group all along, and though Parkinson is probably the No. 1 option, all five could play meaningful snaps this season.
Offensive line (9)
- Starters: LT Alaric Jackson, LG Steve Avila, C Coleman Shelton, RG Kevin Dotson, RT Warren McClendon Jr.
- Backups: OT David Quessenberry, G/C Beaux Limmer, Dylan McMahon, Bill Murray
Justin Dedich and rookie Keagen Trost were both placed on injured reserve, which is why the Rams are carrying both McMahon and Murray on the initial 53.
Defensive line (6)
- Starters: Kobie Turner, Poona Ford, Aaron Donald
- Backups: Braden Fiske, Tyler Davis, Ty Hamilton
The Rams surprisingly announced Donald's return just hours before the roster deadline, officially welcoming the defensive tackle back to Los Angeles. They were already loaded up front but now with Donald joining Turner and Ford as the starters, the defensive line might be the best in football.
With Donald back, rookie Tim Keenan III loses his roster spot.
Outside linebacker (5)
- Starters: Myles Garrett, Byron Young
- Backups: Josaiah Stewart, Desjuan Johnson, Wesley Bailey
Garrett and Young will play the majority of the snaps this season, but Stewart is as good a young backup as a team could ask for. He has the potential to rack up five-plus sacks in a rotational role behind Garrett and Young.
Bailey makes the team as an undrafted rookie after dominating in the preseason and impressing his coaches.
Inside linebacker (4)
- Starters: Nate Landman, Omar Speights
- Backups: Shaun Dolac, Grant Stuard
Dolac and Stuard are mostly going to be special teams players, though they're also decent backups behind Landman and Speights.
Cornerback (4)
- Starters: Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson
- Backups: Emmanuel Forbes Jr., Josh Wallace
What a difference a year makes. McDuffie and Watson stand at the top of the depth chart as the primary starters, with Forbes being the top backup behind them. It's a significantly better unit than what Chris Shula had to work with last year.
Safety (4)
- Starters: Quentin Lake, Kam Curl, Kamren Kinchens
- Backup: Jaylen McCollough
The safety group is a talented, versatile one that features three legitimate starters and a backup in McCollough who's essentially a hybrid safety-linebacker in the middle of the field.
Special teams (3)
- K Harrison Mevis
- P Ethan Evans
- LS Joe Cardona
The Rams should feel good about their core special teamers this season, so long as Mevis picks up where he left off last season.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: LA Rams set 53-man roster for 2026: Here's who made the team
