LA Rams: Projecting the final 53 man Rams roster for 2021

Defense

Okay, here we go. A brand new defensive coordinator in Raheem Morris will guide the Rams’ decisions over the strategy over who to keep or release this year. Last season, Brandon Staley loaded up at the safety position and cut dangerously thin with only three healthy inside linebackers to start the 2020 season.

Safety

(Team carried four in 2020) Active Roster: Jordan Fuller, Taylor Rapp, Terrell Burgess, Nick Scott, J.R. Reid. Practice Squad: Juju Hughes, Brontae Harris Waived: Jake Gervase, Troy Warner, Tyler Hall

This group is actually quite a tough nut to crack. The top three players of Fuller Rapp and Burgess are safe enough, but the next three-four players are a crapshoot. I like the aggressive play by J.R. Reid in the preseason and believe Nick Scott’s experience will net him a roster spot. I think Juju Hughes could swap in for either Scott or Reid.

Brontae Harris faltered a bit on coverage assignments in the last preseason game. I just didn’t see enough from Gervase, Warner, or Hall to warrant a spot in 2021.

Cornerback

(Team carried four in 2020) Active Roster: Jalen Ramsey, Darious Williams, David Long Jr., Robert Rochell Practice Squad: Donte Deayon, Kareem Orr,   Waived: Donovan Olumba

This was another head-scratcher. Will the Rams be okay with just four players? Will the Rams give a roster spot to a semi-tested rookie? That is a hard decision. I think that the Rams go this route and run the risk of losing either Kareem Orr or Donte Deayon to another NFL team’s active roster. While Orr delivered enough to garner a roster spot, this could be a situation where the team simply hasn’t enough roster spots to go around.

Outside linebacker

(Team carried five in 2020) Active Roster: Leonard Floyd, Justin Hollins. Terrell Lewis, Chris Garrett, Justin Lawler Injured Reserve: Ogbonnia Okoronkwo Waived: John Daka

I’m not convinced that the Rams will push Obo to IR, and if they do not, then I expect that Justin Lawler will be moved over to the practice squad. I’m also a bit uneasy that two veteran players – Terrell Lewis and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo – have such serious durability questions. The Rams may add a player off the waiver wire just in case. That will require Obo to land on IR, and Lawler to land on the practice squad.

Inside linebacker

(Team carried three in 2020) Active Roster: Ernest Jones, Kenny Young, Troy Reeder, Micah Kiser Practice Squad: Christian Rozeboom Waived: Travin Howard

This is another challenge. The LA Rams most certainly had better play in 2021 so far than that of 2020. Is it enough to warrant another roster spot to ensure balanced depth? That’s hard to gauge. I do believe that rookie Ernest Jones has certainly done enough to earn a roster spot, and he’ll get stronger as the season goes on. I think Christian Rozeboom salvaged a roster spot for himself with an interception against the Broncos. Howard could make the 53-man roster, could be moved to the practice squad, or released. We’ll start at released for now.

Defensive line

(Team carried six in 2020) Active Roster: Aaron Donald, Sebastian Joseph Day, Greg Gaines, Bobby Brown III, Michael Hoecht, Eric Banks Injured Reserve: A’Shawn Robinson Practice Squad: Jonah Williams, Earnest Brown IV, Marquise Copeland

Active Roster: 24
Practice Squad: 8
Waived:  6
Injured Reserve: 2