Rams 53-man roster: One takeaway for every player who made the cut
OXNARD, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 14: Braden Fiske #55 of the Los Angeles Rams in a defensive stance during a joint practice against the Dallas Cowboys at River Ridge Playing Fields on August 14, 2024 in Oxnard, California. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images)
By Jourdan Rodrigue
Aug 27, 2024

The Los Angeles Rams trimmed their 2024 roster to 53 players on Tuesday, ahead of the league deadline.

Just a few hours prior, they traded starting inside linebacker and team captain Ernest Jones to the Tennessee Titans, for a 2026 fifth-round pick. The Rams also sent a 2026 sixth-round pick in the deal.

The Rams were talking to teams about Jones as the preseason concluded, and alerted him to the potential that he could be traded according to league and team sources. In the spring, general manager Les Snead said that the Rams would not extend Jones ahead of the final year on his rookie deal, a signal to teams that Jones could be movable. Further signals came when rookie undrafted free-agent inside linebacker Omar Speights ascended through the preseason, to the point where Snead said on Saturday that Speights could be helping the Rams out “on Sunday Night Football.”

Head coach Sean McVay called the move a “football decision,” adding that the Rams “felt like this was the best decision for our football team.” Later in his news conference, he cited Jones’ missed time in the spring due to a knee issue (Jones returned for training camp), adding that every year is a new evaluation for every player — with the indication that Jones had to catch back up. McVay said the Rams won’t bring any other inside linebackers in, noting that he has been impressed with the group that did make the 53-man roster.

“Every decision that we make is what we think is best for our football team, and this is in alignment with that,” said McVay. “I think Ernest is a great person. He was really impressive for us in what he did. But we’re confident in that group (of ILBs). … This is something that is a reflection of going back to the offseason, into training camp, previous experiences (and) some of the confidence in some new guys. … It was something that has been an ongoing evaluation, just like every player on our team. This is no different than that.”

Jones’ departure will leave a leadership hole for a still-developing defense under first-year coordinator Chris Shula. On both sides of the ball, many players are developing and will take a step forward in 2024. Here is one thought, observation or notable item for each player who made the Rams’ initial 53-man roster:

Matthew Stafford, quarterback: Stafford missed time this month with hamstring tightness, but is back to full practice participation. The Rams’ 2024 season in large part depends on his health and production.

Jimmy Garoppolo, quarterback: Garoppolo is suspended for the first two games of the regular season for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing substance abuse policy, so his spot on the 53-man roster doesn’t count yet and/or there will be some sort of designation for him when Week 1 begins.

Stetson Bennett, quarterback: The coaching staff saw improvement from Bennett over the course of a three-game preseason, and named him Stafford’s official backup in Weeks 1 and 2.

Alaric Jackson, left tackle: Jackson, the starter, is also suspended for the first two games of the regular season for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Either Joe Noteboom or Warren McClendon will start Weeks 1 and 2 in his place. Jackson is working his way back into practice from an ankle injury.

Jonah Jackson, left guard: Jackson (shoulder) will be ready to play in Week 1. The Rams have also recently tested him at center as a contingency plan for their game day roster numbers.

Steve Avila, center: Avila can play left guard in a pinch, where he started every snap in 2023 as a rookie. The Rams are working to determine their best five starters.

Kevin Dotson, right guard: Dotson got a three-year, $48 million contract extension this spring and is proving to be one of the Rams’ better trade acquisitions in recent years.

Rob Havenstein, right tackle: There is a possibility that Havenstein misses the season-opener while recovering from an ankle injury. Noteboom or McClendon will play in his place.

Joe Noteboom, swing player: Even though Noteboom never worked out as the Rams’ full-time left tackle, his ability to play every tackle and guard position on the line has made him very valuable to the team.

Warren McClendon, tackle: McClendon had a shaky start in joint practice against the Chargers, but steadily improved since that time.

Beaux Limmer, center: Limmer impressed coaches with his command at center despite being a rookie. He gives the Rams valuable depth at the position.

Logan Bruss: Bruss has struggled with injuries and confidence since he was drafted in the third round by the Rams in 2022. This summer, he had far and away his best training camp and preseason — and actually looks like he’s having fun playing football. He has mostly played guard in practice.

Conor McDermott, tackle: McDermott lends veteran experience and depth at either tackle position. He was signed late this summer after injuries to Havenstein and Alaric Jackson.

Kyren Williams, running back: Williams was the leader in this room all of camp, but the Rams need him to stay healthy. He missed four games in 2023 to injury yet still was the second-most productive rusher in the NFL. That said, it was surprising to hear McVay announce on Tuesday afternoon that Williams will be the Rams’ punt returner in 2024. ”

Blake Corum, running back: Corum was drafted this spring with Williams in mind — the Rams wanted a complement to Williams, and a natural replacement should Williams miss any time due to injury. Both backs have taken first-team snaps in training camp, with Williams in the leadoff position.

Ronnie Rivers, running back: The Rams are only keeping three running backs on their 53-man roster this year, but Rivers will also contribute on special teams.

Cooper Kupp, receiver: Despite all he has accomplished, it’s a prove-it season for Kupp — who is 31 years old this season and coming off a second year of nagging injuries. Kupp has had a healthy preseason.

Puka Nacua, receiver: Nacua’s extraordinary season took a physical toll on him, and the Rams are hoping to avoid that toll compounding in 2024. They have been extra careful with a knee injury suffered early in August; Nacua began working back into practice this week.

Demarcus Robinson, receiver: Robinson’s connection with Stafford at the end of last season and throughout training camp is undeniable — though he is still the third target in this 11 personnel-heavy offense behind Kupp and Nacua.

Tutu Atwell, receiver: Atwell’s lightning-fast explosive play ability has only led to situational usage within this group. The Rams got trade calls for Atwell last fall, and could get them again.

Tyler Johnson, receiver: Johnson impressed throughout camp by being a friendly target to any quarterback who needed him. He backs up Nacua and Kupp in this offense.

Jordan Whittington, receiver: Whittington also backs up Nacua and Kupp, and could be used as an extension of the Rams’ run game in screens and sweeps. He certainly has been an involved run blocker during practices deep into August.

Colby Parkinson, tight end: Parkinson, acquired in free agency this spring, will be the No. 1 tight end in this offense when the Rams are in 11 personnel.

Davis Allen, tight end: Allen had a couple of uncharacteristic drops late in training camp while dealing with a hand/arm issue but the Rams love that he usually catches everything, and can slide into 12 personnel looks.

Hunter Long, tight end: If Long stays healthy, he is another dual blocking/receiving tight end who had a strong camp.

Kobie Turner, defensive line: The Rams have Turner listed on their roster as a nose tackle, but ideally others will emerge there and he can become a disruptive pass-rushing three-technique. Turner was voted a team captain by teammates this year.

Bobby Brown III, defensive line: Brown gives the Rams size they need on the interior defensive line — they just need him to stay healthy.

Braden Fiske, defensive line: Fiske has versatility on the interior, from the three-technique outward. He had among the most impressive training camps of any Rams player.

Tyler Davis, defensive line: Davis, a rookie, flashed power and explosiveness in his preseason opportunity and the Rams hope he wins more snaps as the season continues.

Desjuan Johnson, defensive line: Rams coaches and teammates appreciate Johnson’s play energy and his locker room energy.

Jared Verse, outside linebacker: One of the most exciting defensive players the Rams have added in many years, Verse’s power and speed were evident throughout his first training camp with the team.

Byron Young, outside linebacker: Expect Young to start opposite Verse. Young had eight sacks as a rookie starter in 2023, but coaches believed he could win more of his opportunities. Young has worked at his technique through the offseason and training camp.

Michael Hoecht, outside linebacker: Hoecht will be a rotational power defensive end/outside linebacker for the Rams, and is the veteran in the room young players look up to.

Brennan Jackson, outside linebacker: Jackson missed most of camp due to a soft-tissue injury but got preseason action in Week 3. Coaches love his speed-to-power moves and potential.

Nick Hampton, outside linebacker: Hampton is developing into a speed-rush changeup player for this pass-rush group, and can contribute on special teams.

Troy Reeder, inside linebacker, Christian Rozeboom, inside linebacker, Omar Speights, inside linebacker: When Jones missed time in the spring with a knee injury, Reeder stepped into the “regulated” (two-ILB) looks on defense alongside Rozeboom. While the Rams may lean on Reeder early in the season — he has worn their “green dot” in the past — they hope young undrafted free-agent Omar Speights emerges as a starter or key contributor down the stretch. All three can help on special teams.

McVay said that Reeder and Rozeboom will be the “base” starters as preparation for Week 1 begins.

Jake Hummel, inside linebacker: Hummel’s speed stands out in the group, though his frame is a bit smaller. He wore the green dot in the preseason.

Elias Neal, inside linebacker: Neal will be a regular contributor on special teams. Keeping five inside linebackers is a small surprise, but more are needed this year in light of the new kickoff.

Darious Williams, cornerback: Williams missed almost all of training camp with a hamstring injury but will continue to work back into practice this week.

Tre’Davious White, cornerback: White tested his movement on a healed Achilles tendon throughout camp, and expects to turn up the gas as the season continues. The Rams have two veterans at cornerback, and hope the experience in their defensive backfield will help out a young pass rush as those players grow through the year.

Cobie Durant, cornerback: Durant will back up either Williams or White, and while Shula prefers safeties in the slot or star positions, Durant also has experience there.

Josh Wallace, cornerback: A pleasant surprise to the Rams as an undrafted free agent out of Michigan, Wallace has length and has played in big games.

Charles Woods, cornerback: Woods’ handle on the defense as an undrafted free agent was clear deep into the preseason. He got his hands on the ball frequently in camp.

Kam Curl, safety: Curl immediately looked like one of the steals of free agency when training camp began. He is rangy and smart, and will start in one of the “high” spots for the Rams but can play anywhere.

Quentin Lake, safety: Lake will be the lead at “star,” and potentially is even a green dot candidate because the Rams play so much five-defensive back looks (nickel and “star”). Shula will lean more on safeties in the Rams’ sub packages than previous coordinators, in part because of their depth and talent and in part to help neutralize power slot receivers and tight ends. Lake was also voted a team captain.

Kamren Kinchens, safety: Kinchens worked his way up the ladder in his first training camp this summer, and the Rams expect him to contribute in 2024 if not right away due to more veteran players on the roster.

John Johnson III, safety: Kinchens will push Johnson, whose experience and leadership will be needed with the departure of Jones. Johnson has also worn the green dot.

Russ Yeast, safety: Yeast can at times overthink things, but when he plays free is a smart, physical and tenacious safety. He will back up Lake at the star and has even been asked to return kickoffs at times in camp.

Jaylen McCollough, safety: McCollough quickly became a player the Rams simply could not cut with outstanding play through the preseason. They hope in the long-term he becomes a legitimate contributor.

Josh Karty, kicker: Karty missed one field goal on six preseason attempts and one extra point on three attempts.

Ethan Evans, punter: Evans has a huge leg, but the Rams are still working with the second-year punter on his control and on the chemistry of the coverage unit around him.

Alex Ward, long snapper: If a team finds a good long snapper, they keep him forever. They hope Ward is that player after his return from a scary neck injury in 2023.

Injured reserve with a return designation or Physically Unable to Perform with a return designation: Tyler Higbee (PUP), Larrell Murchison (IR), KT Leveston (IR).

Injured reserve with no return designation: Derion Kendrick, Tre Tomlinson.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 6 months ago by Zooey.

Enh.

Noteboom.

Forgot about Noteboom.

They’ll be fine.

I should ask…does anyone mind if I mentally pronounce our new MLB’s name as Omar Spatz?

zn wrote:

Looks like this game will have 2 subs at OT, which considering it’s Detroit (tough DL) and on the road, does not look promising at first glance. Where is Greg Robinson when you need him. Oh wait yeah that’s right, he was put on 5 years probation in 2020 for possessing 150 pounds of weed while crossing an American border checkpoint coming from Mexico, and then arrested again in 2022 in Louisiana with $120 thousand in illegal drugs in his possession. So he’s probably not available either.

What about Whitworth, though?

Or…the Rams could trade A.J. Acruri and a 2nd rounder to SF for Trent Williams.

Yeah. The OL sitch takes a little air out of the sails right now. That’s easily my biggest concern.

zn wrote:

Me (at moi.com): I thought Scott looked good. I liked him better than Evans. Once again, the Rams don’t listen to me. And I ask you–what good has it ever done them to ignore my takes on things? Hmm?

Well, I will never forget the way you went ballistic at the Rams’ pick of Greg Robinson when Aaron Donald was still on the board.

wv wrote:

I saw, Phil Donahue died this month.   I learned a lot from his old show, long ago.

I didn’t see a lot of his show(s), but he seems to me to be around the “end-of-the-line” of independent journalists, or the end of “honest” journalism. Seems to me that there is nobody in journalism in the past 20+ years who isn’t very clear that they play a role, and they know which side of the bread is buttered.

Whittington and Smith are going to be the end of Atwell.

zn wrote:

“reclaim our once great educational institutions from the radical Left and Marxist maniacs”

They will have to pry my left-wing social-engineering agenda from my cold, dead fingers.