Do LA Rams have spots for 7 2020 practice squad players?

Linebackers

From the moment that he was outshining teammate Clay Johnston on HBO Hard Knocks, ILB  Christian Rozeboom has been on the radar as a player who might step up through the 2020 NFL season. Unfortunately, he was really not given much of an opportunity to do so but remained on the practice squad.

Los Angeles Rams

Why he could see a larger role in 2021:

Rozeboom was certainly on the rise for the Rams in terms of the depth chart in 2020. The 6-foot-2 230-pound inside linebacker is a maniac in the middle. His stats? In four seasons with San Diego State University, he amassed a whopping 475 tackles, 29 tackles for a loss, and eight (yes, count ’em, eight) interceptions.  For comparison purposes, 6-foot-2 230-pound Ernest Jones racked up 199 tackles, 10.5 tackles for a loss, and two interceptions. Rozeboom was a sideline to sideline menace and has the ability to stomp the run and the pass.  The Rams face losing four inside linebackers in the 2022 NFL Free Agency market. Rozeboom could make that a lot less scary for the Rams.

Why he won’t see a larger role in 2021:

The Rams have four projected starting players in 2020 who return to compete for playing time in 2021. After drafting ILB Ernest Jones from the South Carolina Gamecocks, I’m not convinced that the Rams will even contemplate placing two untested players out on defense simultaneously.  Rozeboom may make the roster, or simply be a more accomplished player to stash on the practice squad once more.

CFL linebacker

In a bit of irony, LB Derrick Moncrief lost his spot with the Las Vegas Raiders when they signed free agent ILB Cory Littleton. So Moncrief landed as Littleton’s former team. He was an All-Star in the Canadian Football League for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He even was activated to face the Miami Dolphins, as his former teammate and roommate Samuel Eguavoen suited up for the Dolphins.

Why he could see a larger role in 2021:
The LA Rams signed Derrick Moncrief to the team’s practice squad knowing that their roster would be decimated in 2020 at the linebacker spot. He earned his All-Star designation by putting up 69 tackles, four sacks, three interceptions, and one forced fumble in the 2019 season.  He is a 6-foot-2 220-pound linebacker who can be a tough run-stopper, blitz effectively, drop back in zone versus the pass, and even lock on offensive players in man coverage. He checks all the boxes in theory.

Why he won’t see a larger role in 2021:
Well, there continues to be strong competition at the Rams’ linebacker position due to the perceived parity, and the Rams have proven to be content to go with as few as three healthy linebackers in the regular season. Moncrief will need to leap over multiple 2020 starters at the position to have a chance, as well as winning a role on special teams. That’s a tough task for anyone.