LA Rams: 5 players must be cut by August 17

Wow, here we go, folks. The LA Rams are already to the point of now trying to determine who goes. The LA Rams must go from 90 to 85 players by August 17.  Three days later, the team must shed five more players. Finally, in seven more days, the team must shed another 23 players. This year, those decisions are going to be awfully tough.

Of course, that means that the first preseason game with the LA Chargers will be critical for some players who hope to realize their dream of a career playing in the NFL, and we will most definitely be discussing the players who are already on the bubble.  The first wave of cuts will reduce the roster of players who are not quite ready for the NFL. And, to some extent, that will also be the theme of the second wave of cuts.

But the third wave is as much about ensuring adequate depth at each roster spot. That is when the special teams’ players (long snapper, punter, placekicker) will be waived with the intent to possibly re-sign to return to the team’s practice squad.

Until now, the entire mood has been what might that new player do for the LA Rams. Now, just eight days away from the first roster cuts, the focus is changing from what might they do as a player on the Rams roster, and is now will they remain on the Rams roster? Of course, that was, is, and will be the goal all along. 32 teams reducing their overall rosters from 90 players to 53 players in the eventual release of 1,184 players from the NFL.  That is always the eventual goal.

The LA Rams had some incredibly talented players returning from the 2020 team. Then they added even more talented players during and after the 2021 NFL Draft. Now, here comes the tough part. Who goes? Surprisingly, the LA Rams currently appear to be rather deep at the inside linebacker position. Not surprisingly, the same Rams team appears to be deep at the wide receiver position. Eventually, some NFL-caliber players won’t make this Rams roster.

Competition creates the best team possible. No pain, no gain. Well, August will be a very painful month for some NFL hopefuls. It’s just the nature of the sport.