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https://www.therams.com/news/analysis-rams-initial-53-man-roster-for-2021?rfr
Analysis: Rams’ initial 53-man roster for 2021
Stu Jackson, Staff Writer
Aug 31, 2021 at 01:15 PMThe Rams reduced their roster to the 53-man limit on Tuesday. Here’s a position-by-position look at Los Angeles’ first 53-man roster of the 2021 season.
Italicized names = rookies
QUARTERBACKS (3): Matthew Stafford, John Wolford, Bryce PerkinsFor the first time since heading into the 2018 season, the Rams elected to carry three quarterbacks on their initial 53-man roster. Perkins’ inclusion speaks to his performance not only in the preseason, but also the last year-plus as a member of Los Angeles’ practice squad. Also of significance compared to last year’s initial 53: Having reserves with live game experience. Wolford appeared in his first NFL game last year and also started a playoff game, while Perkins saw extensive action across each of the Rams’ three preseason games this year.
RUNNING BACKS (3): Darrell Henderson Jr., Sony Michel, Jake Funk
With Akers sustaining a torn Achilles prior to training camp and being placed on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury list, Henderson is the lead back, with Michel’s physical presence complementing Henderson and the rest of the group. Funk makes the roster after overcoming two ACL injuries in college and getting drafted in the seventh-round. Xavier Jones was Waived/Injured.
WIDE RECEIVERS (6): Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, DeSean Jackson, Van Jefferson, Tutu Atwell, Ben Skowronek
The wide receiver room looks a little bit different from last year’s initial ensemble. Woods, Kupp and Jefferson return, with newcomer Jackson and rookies Atwell and Skowronek rounding out the group. Woods and Kupp enter their fifth season working together. Atwell brings speed that has also made him valuable as a punt returner, while Skowronek, as general manager Les Snead said this spring after he was drafted, brings a different “genre” the group doesn’t have at 6-foot-3 and 224 pounds.
TIGHT ENDS (4): Tyler Higbee, Johnny Mundt, Brycen Hopkins, Jacob Harris
Similar to last year, the Rams elected to keep four tight ends on their initial 53-man roster. Higbee posted 44 receptions for 521 yards and a career-best five touchdowns, while Mundt’s blocking made him a valuable asset in the run game. Hopkins mainly contributed on special teams when he saw action last year. Harris continues to learn the position after playing wide receiver in college.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Andrew Whitworth, David Edwards, Brian Allen, Austin Corbett, Rob Havenstein, Joe Noteboom, Bobby Evans, Tremayne Anchrum Jr., Alaric Jackson
This year’s group of offensive linemen has plenty of game experience, whether it’s starting (Whitworth, Edwards, Allen, Corbett, Havenstein, Noteboom, Evans) or special teams duty (Anchrum). Jackson is the only undrafted free agent to make the nitial 53-man roster.
Note: Coleman Shelton was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list on Tuesday and does not count toward the limit until activated.
DEFENSIVE LINE (7): A’Shawn Robinson, Aaron Donald, Sebastian Joseph-Day, Greg Gaines, Michael Hoecht, Jonah Wiliams, Bobby Brown III
The Rams’ defensive line looks different this year with the departures of Michael Brockers and Morgan Fox. Robinson, Donald, Joseph-Day and Gaines return, with Hoecht and Williams – after strong preseasons this year and spending last year on their practice squad – rounding out the group along with rookie Bobby Brown III.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS (5): Leonard Floyd, Justin Hollins, Ogbo Okoronkwo, Terrell Lewis, Chris Garrett
The Rams go with five edge defenders this year, highlighted by seventh-round pick Chris Garrett making the rotation.
INSIDE LINEBACKERS (4): Troy Reeder, Kenny Young, Travin Howard, Ernest Jones
Reeder, Young and Howard return with starting experience. Jones had a solid preseason which included getting experience as defensive signal-caller.
CORNERBACKS (4): Jalen Ramsey, Darious Williams, David Long Jr., Robert Rochell
After initially carrying six cornerbacks last year, the Rams start with four this year. Long is expected to take on a bigger role this season following Troy Hill’s departure.
SAFETIES (6): Taylor Rapp, Nick Scott, Terrell Burgess, Jordan Fuller, J.R. Reed, JuJu Hughes
The Rams’ offseason roster had lots of depth at safety, and they go with a six-man group of Rapp, Scott, Furgess, Fuller and Reed. Rapp and Fuller both have starting experience. Scott has been a long-time special teams contributor and is capable of stepping up when needed. Burgess saw time on both defense and special teams as a rookie in 2020 and gives L.A.’s secondary options with his versatile background. Reed makes the initial 53-man after getting signed to the Rams’ practice squad in September last year and eventually getting signed to the active roster in early December. Hughes appeared in 12 games last year – primarily on special teams – after beginning the 2020 season on their practice squad.
SPECIALISTS (2): Matt Gay (kicker), Matthew Orzech (long snapper)
Gay enters his first full season with the Rams after arriving in L.A. in mid-November 2020. Orzech beat out Steven Wirtel to succeed Jake McQuaide as the Rams’ next longsnapper.
Note: Johnny Hekker remains on the Reserve/COVID-19 list but was allowed to be at Tuesday morning’s practice.
I wonder why 6 safeties?
I think both Reed and Hughes can play a bit of CB, like Burgess can. Of course, if they need pure CBs, they will have some on the Practice Squad. So, they won’t be far away. Maybe they want to use Rapp as a LB sometime?
Also, with these Practice Squad rules, it is much easier to move players back and forth and even protect 4 players from poaching.
Agamemnonlooks like a strong roster.
glad to see hoecht and williams make the roster. i have high hopes for them.
I – Michael Hoecht
One of the first to pique enthusiasm was the unexpected signing of Brown University’s defensive tackle Michael Hoecht. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 290 pounds, while posting a 40-yard dash time of 4.65-seconds. He is a former high school running back, so that fullback position is still a possibility in the LA Rams 2020 offense. He also recorded 23 reps of 225 pounds during his virtual pro day.Hoecht is listed as a defensive tackle, where he recorded 17 sacks and 158 tackles. That is not his only role, as he clearly has the speed and power to rush a passer as a defensive end in a 3-4 defensive front. Since he has both an offense and defense background, he truly offers the Rams a virtual blank slate to rework his football career in the role that most suits him on the team. He was also drafted by the Canadian Football League, so if he does not land a roster spot on the Rams, he will have other football opportunities in the near future.
IV-Eric Banks
The next addition for the LA Rams is a defensive end, Eric Banks. Banks is a 6-foot-5 270-pound defensive end/outside linebacker hybrid who is very good at rushing the quarterback. While he may have an uphill battle to make the team, he does have connections. Rams defensive line coach Eric Henderson coached Banks in 2016, and no doubt pulled some strings to get Banks an offer from the Rams. Banks is a four-year player whose best season was 2017 when he registered 24 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, one pass defense, and three forced fumbles. Despite a background from a small school, Banks has an uncanny nose for the football and could be a strong contributor on special teams.V-Jonah Williams
The third and final defensive end signing is Weber State’s, Jonah Williams. Williams is another hybrid who has already created quite the buzz from a pure athleticism standpoint. He stands 6-foot-5, weighs 285 pounds, runs a 4.65 40-yard dash, can pump 30 reps of 225-pound weights, and leaps 35 inches vertically. He played for Weber State because he committed to fulfilling a two-year mission during his college career, and two major schools withdrew football scholarships as a result.He was a late bloomer, a trait he attributes to other family members as well. That pulled him off many NFL scouting reports, despite enlarging to 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds to enter his senior season. By the time he graduated, he had grown to his 6-foot-5 height and was up to 250 pounds of nearly all muscle. His hopes for hearing his name called during the NFL Draft depended entirely upon a good showing at his Pro Day. Unfortunately, his luck ran against him again when COVID-19 prohibited him from performing at his Pro Day. His performance on his virtual pro day was good enough to have caught the eye of 32 NFL teams. Projected as high as a fifth-round prospect, he could be a player many will point to from the future as a key contributor because the Rams gave him the opportunity.
AgamemnonIX – JuJu Hughes
The LA Rams continued the is-he-a-safety-or-is-he-a-cornerback theme after the draft as they signed Fresno State’s defensive back Juju Hughes. Hughes is a 5-foot-11 188-pound cornerback/safety hybrid who played four seasons as a Fresno State Bulldog. He began his NCAA football career as a cornerback for 12 games, then finished off as a safety for his final 40 games. Over his career, he recorded 247 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, one sack, seven interceptions, and 29 passes defended. Hughes contributed to Fresno State’s 22 wins over the 2017 and 2018 seasons and was a consistent contributor on defense.XV – Bryce Perkins
The LA Rams definitely went off-script when the team chose to sign dual-threat Virginia quarterback Bryce Perkins. At least, that is what you might initially think until you begin to connect some dots. Perkins was the 6-foot-3 215-pound starting quarterback for the University of Virginia at the same time that offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell was onboarding Washington Redskins dual-threat rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins. It was likely that experience and the plays created for Haskins with persuaded new Rams OC O’Connell to pitch for dual-threat rookie quarterback Bryce Perkins. After all, he demonstrated incredible innovation with Haskins in late-season games and likely wishes to repeat that success with the LA RamsPerkins unlocks entirely new offensive play concepts for the LA Rams, particularly if the team struggles to block effectively in the running game. In just two NCAA seasons, he registered 6,210 yards passing, 47 touchdowns, and just 21 interceptions. But he is doubly dangerous when you factor in his ability to rush for 1,692 yards and an additional 20 touchdowns. He even caught a pass for nine yards. That type of dual-threat from the quarterback is the Achilles heel for defenses like that of the San Francisco 49ers, which depend on a fast rush to the fixed pocket passer quarterback. Since the defense relies upon a hurried throw, they are very susceptible to quarterback scrambles and a passer who can extend plays with their feet. Perkins must improve his deep throws over time, but he has plenty of intriguing potential in the Rams offense to raise some eyebrows.
XVII – J.J. Koski
The LA Rams added another wide receiver after the NFL Draft by signing backyard Cal-Poly senior wide receiver J.J. Koski. Koski is a 6-foot-1 195-pound local receiver who undoubtedly caught the eye of the Rams scouting department. In 44 games, he pulled in 121 passes for 2,311 yards and 18 touchdowns. He was also active as both a kick returner and a punt returner. So what is his connection to the LA Rams besides playing at a nearby college? His agent is also that of Rams’ wide receiver Cooper Kupp. So now you know.
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Per Draftcountdown.com, Koski was the 70th ranked wide receiver in the 2020 NFL Draft. It is noteworthy that his 40-yard time is listed as 4.54-seconds. In terms of pure talent, there will likely be other players on the Rams’ roster that come to mind. But Koski was part of the Cal-Poly triple-option offense, and he has one of the most developed route trees among all rookie wide receivers in the NFL. That triple offense afforded the quarterback two choices to place the football into the running back’s hands or pitch the ball to a wide back or wide receiver before dropping back for the pass. That meant Koski had to be tight and timely on his routes, which he was able to accomplish very well. Route running or speed seemed to be distinct qualities the Rams sought in new prospects this off-season.XIX- Trishton Jackson
The next player up for the LA Rams is a complete surprise. Somehow, Syracuse wide receiver Trishton Jackson fell from his round 2-3 projection to the LA Rams as an undrafted rookie signing. The 6-foot-1 197-pound NCAA receiver’s career was much like a senior season versus all else, as he truly performed well. His 66 catches for 1,023 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior served to springboard him into the NFL scouting combine where he wowed NFL scouts with a solid display of speed, route-running, and soft hands.
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He likely projects as a slot-receiver but could develop into a true all position wide receiver given enough time and coaching. He has a solid draft profile review by Lance Zierlein at NFL.com While his 40-time came in at 4.5-seconds, that was faster than expected by many scouts. It also is slightly better than Rams Josh Reynolds’s time.These are all udfas from last year.
AgamemnonI wonder why 6 safeties?
I’m guessing they kept the 10 best in the secondary. With the variety of packages they play, I don’t know how much difference it makes.
I’m a bit surprised by Okoronkwo over Lawler. Maybe Lawler goes to the PS. I don’t know if he’s eligible this year, or not. But this is Okoronkwo’s last year with the Rams, I would think.
Anyway…the good news out of camp as far as I’m concerned is that they appear to feel pretty good about their LBs.
To put Obo on the IR list and be able to activate him before the end of the year, he has to first be on the 53 man roster.
Agamemnoni wonder who starts at defensive end while robinson is out. could it be hoecht???
I think it would.
AgamemnonJonah Williams earned the 5th-highest Pass Rush Grade among all DI and ED defenders this preseason (min. 50 snaps) 💪💪💪#Rams pic.twitter.com/w6UfFtCqdy
— PFF LA Rams (@PFF_Rams) August 30, 2021
Agamemnon
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