The Los Angeles Rams have finalized their initial 53-man roster for the 2026 season, putting forth one of the league's best teams on paper as the franchise looks to overcome a tough schedule to lift the Lombardi Trophy at SoFi Stadium for a second time.
Here are five takeaways from their initial 53-man squad.
Donald was always coming back
It's clear that the notion of Aaron Donald debating his return was simply a matter of fiction over these last few days because the team put him on their 53-man roster less than an hour after Donald announced his return. It's unclear at this point when he made the decision, but both sides were aligned coming into Sunday.
Bailey did it
Undrafted rookie Wesley Bailey went from unknown player to intriguing prospect. Mimicking the work of Leonard Floyd, Bailey's
length and pass-rushing ability were too much to abandon and when the team was looking at their bubble players – guys like Cam Lampkin, Dean Connors, and others – Bailey was the name the team could not afford to lose.
As he was already rotating in with every lineup the team could dream up in practice and in preseason games, Bailey continued to shine, regardless of who was next with him. With Bailey now on the roster, he should be on the same development track that Byron Young and Josaiah Stewart are using to expand their production and their roles.
He's a promising defender in a sea of championship talent.
Wallace should play inside and outside
Taking the role that Roger McCreary occupied last season, Josh Wallace has positioned himself to be the primary backup at outside corner, slot corner, and safety. While Jaylen McCollugh will likely play more than Wallace in his specialized role, the versatile defensive back from Michigan is one injury away from being a starter and top contributor.
If the Rams continue to blitz heavily with defensive back, Wallace's usage could also increase as his physical nature could come into play with quarterback pressures, delayed blitzes, and disguised coverages, especially since he can line up anywhere on the field.
Seven wide receivers is simply unnecessary
For a team that is revolutionizing tight end usage, their choice to keep seven receivers, instead of the six they kept last season, will force the team to keep one player inactive. Will it be CJ Daniels as the rookie grows in his role? Will Tutu Atwell continue to sit on the sidelines, or will he return to his role as a decoy? How do Konata Mumpfield, Xavier Smith, and Jordan Whittington fit into the offense, as Puka Nacua and Davante Adams will have the Lion's share of snaps?
On top of that, the team is utilizing 13-personnel at a league-high level, while they're expanding their 12-personnel packages. In those tight end-heavy offenses, only one or two receivers will be on the field, likely Adams and Nacua. So what do you do with the other five?
Murray makes his way
After standing out in camp and in preseason, offensive lineman Bill Murray makes the roster. Having the veteran lineman available will play a big role in the team's rotation, providing insurance for a team that could face questions about several guys in the trenches.
Alaric Jackson is subject to a potential suspension, Steve Avila and Kevin Dotson missed multiple games last season, while Keagan Trost and Justin Dedich are on injured reserve to begin the season. Murray's experience is a needed trait, whether on the field or in the meeting room.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: 5 takeaways from Rams' initial 53-man roster: Too many WRs?
