Football is happening! LA Rams 53-man roster prediction

DEFENSE – continued (24)

Interior Linebackers (4)

Starters: Michah Kiser, Troy Reeder

Reserves: Kenny Young, Clay Johnston

Fighting for Practice Squad: Traven Howard, Jachai Polite, Greg Reaves, Christian Rozeboom, Bryan London II

Who starts with this group?  For now, I’ll stick with my earlier prediction about the starters, and keep both Micah Kiser and Troy Reeder in this group. Both have starting experience with the team. Of course, the Rams had Kenny Young, a starter with the Baltimore Ravens, who never saw a defensive snap for the team. That puts him behind the curve for an early starting role.

The competition among this group is equally as close. One bad practice can drop a player from a spot on the 53-man roster all the way to the first released from the team.  Since there are medical flags for some players, this projection can change quickly.  There is plenty of buzz over Christian Rozeboom and Bryan London II from the players signed after the 2020 NFL Draft.

Cornerbacks (6)

Starters: Jalen Ramsey, Troy Hill

Reserves: Darious Williams, Donte Deayon, David Long Jr. Levonta Taylor

Fighting for Practice Squad: Adonis Alexander, Dayan Ghanwoloku, Tyrique McGee, Juju Hughs

The LA Rams have five players who could start on NFL teams from this group in Ramsey, Hill, Williams, Long, and Taylor. And curiously enough, the team may have other players who are just as talented among the remaining players. We know that the team will be moving Ramsey around in the defensive coverages, which should give both Troy Hill and Darious Williams plenty of snaps as well. You can bet any players who are cut from the team will be signed on other rosters. Snead has an incredible eye for defensive backs. The Rams will assign at least one, if not two, to the practice squad.

Safeties (4)

Starters: Taylor Rapp, John Johnson III

Reserves: Terrell Burgess, Jordan Fuller,

Fighting for Practice Squad: jake Gervase, Nick Scott, JuJu Hughs

The Rams will have no problem deciding the starters, and both Rapp and Johnston guessed they would start as soon as the 2019 season ended. Even with both players starting, look for the Rams to get plenty of snaps for both Burgess and Fuller as well, as both have cornerback and safety experience.

The remaining group of Gervase, Scott, and Hughs are all incredibly talented and will fight hard for a roster spot.  Whoever makes it to the practice squad, whether one or two players, one will claim the fourth and last protected spot.