In a little over a week, the Los Angeles Rams will have to cut their roster down from 90 players to the required 53. It’s important to remember that the initial roster is not the final roster as teams will likely make changes between roster cutdowns and Week 1. The initial roster is simply part […]
In a little over a week, the Los Angeles Rams will have to cut their roster down from 90 players to the required 53. It’s important to remember that the initial roster is not the final roster as teams will likely make changes between roster cutdowns and Week 1. The initial roster is simply part of the process with slightly more priority on sneaking guys onto the practice squad if possible. Given the difficult decisions coming up, it seemed like a good idea to look at how many players the Rams and Sean McVay have kept at each position over the years. Let’s take a look.
Quarterback
- 2017: 2
- 2018: 3
- 2019: 2
- 2020: 2
- 2021: 3
- 2022: 3
- 2023: 2
- 2024: 2
Had Jimmy Garoppolo not been suspended last year, the Rams would have kept three quarterbacks and likely will again this year. Stetson Bennett is playing well and has shown some potential as a future backup quarterback. While only keeping two quarterbacks would open up another roster spot, the Rams seem to like what they have in Garoppolo and Bennett. With the uncertainty of Stafford’s health, it also makes sense to keep some depth here.
Running Back
- 2017: 3
- 2018: 4
- 2019: 3
- 2020: 4
- 2021: 3
- 2022: 4
- 2023: 4
- 2024: 3
What the Rams do at running back is going to be interesting. In Sean McVay’s previous eight seasons, the Rams have kept three or four running backs an equal number of times. It’s almost guaranteed that the Rams will keep three in Kyren Williams, Blake Corum, and Jarquez Hunter. The question here is whether or not the Rams would keep a fourth and find a way to get Cody Schrader on the roster. If the Rams need to find space at other positions, they could opt to keep just three.
Wide Receiver
- 2017: 6
- 2018: 6
- 2019: 6
- 2020: 6
- 2021: 6
- 2022: 7
- 2023: 6
- 2024: 6
It’s probably pretty safe to say that the Rams will keep six wide receivers. Even if McVay opts to run more 12 personnel, this is still going to be primarily an 11 personnel team. The Rams are going to need some depth at the wide receiver position. In 2022, the Rams did keep seven wide receivers with the seventh being Lance McCutcheon who had a very good preseason. The Rams haven’t had a wide receiver impress like that this year and should be able to get most of their guys on the practice squad.
Tight End
- 2017: 3
- 2018: 3
- 2019: 3
- 2020: 4
- 2021: 4
- 2022: 2
- 2023: 4
- 2024: 3
The Rams have kept between three and four tight ends during the Sean McVay era. Even in the year that they kept two, Jacob Harris was listed as a wide receiver. If the Rams want to run more 12 personnel, it makes sense to keep depth there and they should have the players to do it.
Offensive Line
- 2017: 10
- 2018: 8
- 2019: 8
- 2020: 10
- 2021: 9
- 2022: 8
- 2023: 10
- 2024: 9
Ever since the offensive line injury disaster that was the 2022 season, the Rams have kept depth on the offensive line. It wouldn’t be a surprise if they did the same this year, especially given the players that the Rams have on the roster. Even if the Rams opted to keep 10, they would still have some difficult decisions to make when it comes to depth. It’s probably safe to assume that the Rams will keep nine or 10 players along the offensive line.
Defensive Line
- 2017: 7
- 2018: 7
- 2019: 6
- 2020: 6
- 2021: 7
- 2022: 6
- 2023: 7
- 2024: 6
The defensive line is another position in which the Rams are going to have difficult decisions to make. They do have some depth here, meaning that they could keep seven. However, given the depth at other positions, the Rams may be able to get away with six and try to fit a player or two on the practice squad. Right now, it’s probably more likely that the Rams keep six.
Edge Rusher
- 2017: 4
- 2018: 5
- 2019: 6
- 2020: 5
- 2021: 5
- 2022: 5
- 2023: 5
- 2024: 5
In each of the past five seasons, the Rams have kept five edge rushers. That will probably be the case once again this year during roster cuts. The Rams have Jared Verse, Byron Young, Josaiah Stewart, Nick Hampton, and Brennan Jackson. Keir Thomas is someone to keep an eye on, but it still seems hard for anybody to break into the group of five. Thomas has been a quality depth player, but hasn’t done enough to warrant keeping six edge rushers for only the second time.
Linebacker
- 2017: 4
- 2018: 5
- 2019: 4
- 2020: 3
- 2021: 4
- 2022: 4
- 2023: 3
- 2024: 5
What the Rams do at the linebacker position is going to be one of the more interesting roster decisions this season. In most years, the Rams have kept four, which they could do again this season. Omar Speights, Nate Landman, Troy Reeder, and Chris Paul Jr. seem to be the favorites. Still, it would be nice for the Rams to find a way to keep Shaun Dolac. It’s not unheard of for the Rams to keep five linebackers which is what they did last year with Christian Rozeboom, Jake Hummel, Troy Reeder, Omar Speights, and Elias Neal. It’s also something that they did in 2018 with Cory Littleton, Mark Barron, Micah Kiser, Ramik Wilson, and Bryce Hager. Keeping four seems more likely, but the Rams could find a way to keep five if they need to.
Cornerback
- 2017: 5
- 2018: 5
- 2019: 6
- 2020: 4
- 2021: 4
- 2022: 6
- 2023: 5
- 2024: 5
With the depth that the Rams have at cornerback, they could try to keep five or six cornerbacks. However, given the depth at safety, they may be able to get by with just four cornerbacks to open up a spot at another position. Still, the Rams may try to find a spot for Charles Woods, Josh Wallace, Cam Lampkin, or AJ Green.
Safety
- 2017: 6
- 2018: 5
- 2019: 5
- 2020: 5
- 2021: 6
- 2022: 5
- 2023: 5
- 2024: 6
Quentin Lake, Kam Curl, Kam Kinchens, and Jaylen McCollough seem like locks here. However, the Rams have never kept fewer than five safeties. That seems to imply that one of Nate Valcarcel or Tanner Ingle will make the roster. Chris Shula used a lot of three safety looks on defense last year. If that continues, it makes sense to keep at least five.
Special Teams
- 2017: 3
- 2018: 3
- 2019: 3
- 2020: 3
- 2021: 3
- 2022: 3
- 2023: 3
- 2024: 3
This is never going to change. The Rams will always keep one kicker, one punter, and one long snapper. This year, that will be Alex Ward, Ethan Evans, and Joshua Karty.
Category: General Sports
