LA Rams RBs appear to be Henderson, Michel, Funk for 2021

The LA Rams organization doesn’t say much when it comes to the depth chart or regarding their position competition. But you can find out plenty by reading between the lines.  For example, the LA Rams quarterback depth chart likely reads QB1 Matthew Stafford and QB2 John Wolford. That meant that the Rams played QB Bryce Perkins the entirety of two preseason games, and may not even make the team’s roster.

That same principle applies to the running back position, where running back Xavier Jones got the start and played virtually the entire preseason game before injuring his ankle. His replacement to clean up the game was Otis Anderson Jr. That means that the LA Rams depth chart is likely RB1 Darrell Henderson, RB2 Sony Michel, and RB3 Jake Funk.

Otis Anderson Jr. and the now-injured Xavier Jones will likely not make the team roster now. That’s a bit disappointing because Jones held his own against the first-string defense of the Denver Broncos. The Rams carried five running backs in 2020, but will likely transform one of last year’s RB slots to carry an extra wide receiver this year.

While that is the way the season will start, do not ignore the fact that the LA Rams will be working the waiver wire still, and if a suitable player is cut from one of the 31 other NFL teams, you can bet that the front office will not hesitate to bring them aboard.

For the other skill sets, it’s quite clear that the team has predetermined that TE1 will be Tyler Higbee, and TE2 will be Johnny Mundt. I’m torn over the TE3 role, as I am now scoring both Kendall Blanton and Brycen Hopkins neck-and-neck.  While I see Jacob Harris as the TE4, his no catches despite three targets did not help his cause.  But to be fair, he never really seemed to have much chemistry with backup quarterback Bryce Perkins, and ended up catching just five for 13 targets in the preseason. I expect that the LA Rams will try to slide him over to their practice squad for 2021.

All of the OTAs, training camp practices, and preseason games are now history. Now the toughest part of the season takes place, as the LA Rams decide who makes the final roster cuts.