Wagoner: St. Louis Rams' projected roster

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/9465/rams-projected-roster

St. Louis Rams' projected roster
By Nick Wagoner | ESPN.com

(Note: WR Stedman Bailey is expected to make the team but is suspended for the first four games of the season and will not count on the initial 53-man roster)

QUARTERBACKS (3)
Sam Bradford
Shaun Hill
Garrett Gilbert
Bradford and Hill are locks. Gilbert is likely competing against the roster number more so than Austin Davis for a potential third quarterback spot. The guess here is the Rams will keep a third after keeping just two entering 2013.

RUNNING BACKS (4)
Zac Stacy
Benny Cunningham
Tre Mason
Isaiah Pead

The Rams went heavy on running backs last year, keeping five, but with Pead handling more special teams duties, it could make Chase Reynolds expendable and allow them to keep an extra body elsewhere.

RECEIVERS (5)
Chris Givens
Tavon Austin
Kenny Britt
Brian Quick
Austin Pettis

With Bailey suspended the first four weeks, the Rams could take a longer look at another wideout for the first quarter of the season, but Bailey plus the five listed here seem to be in pretty good shape. It will be more interesting to see how this group shakes out in terms of playing time.

TIGHT ENDS (4)
Jared Cook
Lance Kendricks
Cory Harkey
Justice Cunningham

The first three are probably pretty safe, but the Rams could have an intriguing competition for a potential fourth tight end if they opt to keep one. Cunningham intrigues them, but undrafted rookie Alex Bayer showed some promise in the spring and could surprise.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (9)
Jake Long
Joe Barksdale
Scott Wells
Greg Robinson
Rodger Saffold
Davin Joseph
Barrett Jones
Tim Barnes
Mike Person

The Rams could easily go heavy here and keep another lineman or even two as they did in 2013. The first seven listed here should be in good shape, but beyond that, the competition is wide open. Players like Sean Hooey, Brandon Washington, Mitchell Van Dyk and Demetrius Rhaney could be heard from before preseason is finished.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (9)
Chris Long
Robert Quinn
William Hayes
Eugene Sims
Michael Brockers
Kendall Langford
Aaron Donald
Alex Carrington
Michael Sam

The first eight listed are all but locks barring injury, but the Rams have kept a ninth defensive lineman each of the past two seasons. The battle for that spot should be fierce with Sam trying to fend off the likes of Sammy Brown, Matt Conrath and undrafted rookie Ethan Westbrooks. Sam’s ability to emerge on special teams will likely determine his fate.

LINEBACKERS (6)
James Laurinaitis
Alec Ogletree
Jo-Lonn Dunbar
Ray-Ray Armstrong
Daren Bates
Phillip Steward

Don’t be surprised if the final tally here looks different than the above. Beyond the first four listed, there could be plenty of room for change, including the potential for a veteran to provide depth. Bates is a strong special teams player and should stick, but Steward will face plenty of competition from an eager group of undrafted rookies.

CORNERBACKS (5)
Janoris Jenkins
Trumaine Johnson
Lamarcus Joyner
Brandon McGee
E.J. Gaines

Jenkins, Johnson and Joyner should be set, but there could be some good battles in camp for the spots behind that trio. McGee has a year under his belt and an inherent advantage that goes with it, but he will face competition from the likes of Gaines, Greg Reid and Marcus Roberson. It also wouldn’t surprise if the Rams kept a sixth cornerback instead of a fifth safety.

SAFETIES (5)
T.J. McDonald
Rodney McLeod
Maurice Alexander
Cody Davis
Matt Daniels

There is plenty to sort out at this position with Alexander, Daniels and rookie Christian Bryant coming off injury. Bryant didn’t participate in the spring, so he is difficult to project at this point. Davis should stick for his special-teams contribution, but there is little guaranteed here.

SPECIALISTS (3)
Johnny Hekker
Greg Zuerlein
Jake McQuaide

It would take a serious injury to disturb this strong trio.