2023 LA Rams roster breakdown, shockingly thin at some positions

Even as the LA Rams played their final three games of the 2022 NFL season, the front office continued to work its magic. Players were added, and the result is that, despite injuries, the Rams roster is in a pretty good position to reassemble a winning team for the 2023 NFL season.

While other NFL teams compete and get sent home, disappointed that they failed to have what it takes to win a Super Bowl, we have the opportunity now to pause, take a deep breath, and start to view the 2023 NFL season out of the corner of our eyes. While many fans likely have maintained a good handle on the Rams roster throughout the wild and wacky 2023 NFL season, there is the chance that some of you may have lost track of who is and who is not under contract for next season and beyond.

Since I fall under the “I’m not sure any longer,” category, I thought that it would be of some value to explore who is under contract for next season, which positions they currently play, and allow that to set the basis for our offseason objectives.  Of course, just the foundation of who is and is not currently under contract for the 2023 NFL season will percolate plenty of excellent discussions, and we are eager to enter into those even before the season ends.

It’s been a tough offseason already for the LA Rams. Not insomuch of events as much as the uncertainty. The team needs to reassemble its coaching staff once more. Thankfully, Rams head coach Sean McVay will be back. And based on the Rams announcement, he is excited to be back once more.

Onto reassembling the Rams roster

Once the coaching staff is assembled, and it appears to be making rapid progress, the team must pivot to the roster. The LA Rams are projected to lose 25 players, and their 2023 roster, as it now stands, is comprised of 51 players. Of course, not all of the players projected to leave the LA Rams roster are created equal. The Rams have one projected Restricted Free Agent (RFA), and he is QB John Wolford, and seven projected Exclusive Rights Free agents (ERFA):

LB Travin Howard
LB/S Jake Gervase
DT Marquise Copeland
DE/OLB Michael Hoecht
QB Bryce Perkins
CB Shaun Jolly
LB Christian Rozeboom

But the Rams roster is not a slam dunk for the 2023 NFL season. The Rams have already parted ways with a number of players who seemed as though they may hold some value as either extended players for rotational roles or as potential free agents who might trigger the NFL algorithms for awarding compensatory picks in the 2024 NFL Draft.  So let’s dive into this one rather quickly, because we have a lot of ground to survey:

Special team specialists (0)

What are we saying here? The LA Rams do not have a contract for either a long-snapper, a punter, or a placekicker for the 2023 NFL season. And you may have mixed opinions about that. Should the LA Rams extend their current specialists? Or is it time to spin the wheel and see what the Rams may find from the pool of NFL talent in free agency, the 2023 NFL Draft, or the crop of NFL-eager rookies who want to sign with a team after the draft?

It’s a great puzzle.

Let’s break it down for you.

Placekicker (0): The LA Rams will most certainly seek to extend placekicker Matt Gay, whose presence has been so good that there is no longer any fear of a missed field goal. Ah, but that level of dependability will come at a cost. The latest estimates are an annual cost of $5.1 million. Right now, Gay is earning half of that amount.

Will the Rams ante up to keep Matt Gay on the roster? Or will the Rams play the long game, allowing Matt Gay to sign a new contract elsewhere with the belief that exodus could trigger a future compensatory draft pick?  That’s a good conversation to have. I suspect that the Rams will find the funds to extend him.
Status: Extend Matt Gay

Long snapper (0): The LA Rams will likely re-sign long snapper Matthew Orzech because, well, he’s their long snapper in 2022. He was claimed off the Tennessee Titans waiver wire in 2021 and has been adequate for the Rams so far. Long snappers tend to run cheap, so Orzech will be unlikely to have any leverage to earn a premium in the NFL free agency market.
Status: Extend Matthew Orzech

Punter (0): The LA Rams opted to go with the veteran punter Riley Dixon in 2022, after bringing in two punters for competition. As far as gross punting? Dixon can kick. His average gross punt of 48.8 yards is good enough for ninth-best in the NFL. But it goes downhill quickly from there. Because Dixon’s punts do not arc high into the air and come out as a line drive, he can be blocked. And he was blocked, twice, which is the worst in the NFL after 14 games.

His net punting of 42.0 yards is only 22nd-best in the NFL because his punts set up the return quite easily. In fact, he has 322 punt return yards, 29th-ranked in the NFL. He also struggles to pin opponents inside their own 20-yard line, his 15 times ranks 26th in the NFL. A mixed bag? If the Rams re-up Dixon, it’s a short and cheap deal.
Status: Not extended

Offense skill positions

The LA Rams offense has been almost on autopilot recently. While this team has struggled to put up points in the 2022 NFL season, the roster has been allowed to simultaneously face expiring contracts across the Rams roster. How bad is it? The Rams backfield, as of today, has only three returning players. Add the tight end position, and the  Rams will welcome back five such players. Who is returning? Let’s take a look:

Quarterback (1): The good news right now is that QB Mattew Stafford will be back, and for many reasons should be completely rested, healed, and ready to go. That leaves the backup quarterback position. What can the Rams do? Well, QB John Wolford and QB Bryce Perkins are easy on the pursestrings, know the drill, and understand the Rams offense as well as anyone.
But the arrival of Baker Mayfield threw a monkey wrench into the works. The Rams witnessed how easily Mayfield unlocked the offense behind the threat of a veteran mobile quarterback. But in the same light, the Rams also witnessed the limits of a mobile quarterback. Of course, Mayfield ran the second and third-string offense against NFL opponents. I think the Rams would like to have Baker Mayfield back. But I’m convinced that Baker Mayfield wants to start, now.
Status: QBs Wolford and Perkins likely extended, Mayfield FA

Running back (3): The LA Rams are projected to welcome back rookie RB Kyren Williams, RB Ronnie Rivers (per Spotrac.com), and veteran RB Cam Akers returning. That leaves veteran RB Malcolm Brown as the lone free agent. I like the 5-foot-11, 225-pound veteran running back, but I’m not convinced that the Rams have enough business to warrant extending him to return, even at the NFL minimum salary.
The Rams have 10 draft picks, and you just know that the team is itching to choose another young fresh set of legs. If the team follows through and hires Mike LaFleur as the new offensive coordinator, that could steer the Rams to a bigger-bodied rookie rusher. But in either scenario, I would be surprised if the team extends Brown.
Status: RB Malcolm Brown not extended

Tight end (4): The LA Rams will welcome back veteran tight end Jared Pinkney, Roger Carter, Tyler Higbee, and Brycen Hopkins in 2023. While that is certainly a solid group, I believe that the Rams will be very interested in adding to this group. Both Tyler Higbee and Brycen Hopkins are projected to test the NFL Free Agency market in 2024. That typically signifies that the Rams draft will target at least one tight end. With 10 picks, I think that sounds about right.
Status: No expiring contracts

Defense line of scrimmage positions

While the LA Rams pass rush has been a topic of hot debate since the 2022 offseason, the LA Rams put up a solid showing in terms of stuffing the run, particularly in contrast to so many NFL defenses getting gashed by runners this past season. The reason is that too many defenses have overemphasized the pass rush, and that has allowed their defenses to give up big gains.

But that does not get the Rams off the hook for generating a more consistent and dangerous pass rush. Let’s look at the Rams’ defensive line of scrimmage depth:

Outside linebacker (5): The LA Rams got busy near the end of the season. After releasing veterans Terrell Lewis and Justin Hollins, the team promoted rookies Daniel Hardy, Braydon Thomas, and Keir Thomas to line up with veteran OLB Leonard Floyd. The team also added Zach VanValkenburg, a young player who I’m eager to see develop.
The lone player on an expiring contract is DL/OLB Michael Hoecht. I don’t see how the LA Rams let him walk, as he cross-trained to the outside linebacker position in mid-season, and then proceeded to outperform everyone at the position up to and after that point on the team with the exception of Leonard Floyd. I think the Rams could try to draft a starter, but if none are on the board, the Rams will look at Day 3 to add roster depth.
Status: Extend Michael Hoecht

Defensive linemen (6): The LA Rams’ defensive front seemed a bit shallow until the final month of the season. The Rams project to have Aaron Donald, Jonah Williams, Earnest Brown IV, Bobby Brown III, Larrell Murchison, and T.J. Carter on the defensive line in 2023. Three key veterans are on expiring contracts, and they are: A’Shawn Robinson, Greg Gaines, and Marquise Copeland. Copeland is projected to be an ERFA in 2023, which makes his price too attractive to pass up. But what of Gaines and Robinson?
The 2023 NFL Draft is expected to have many talented IDL prospects, but the 2023 offseason could emphasize those defensive linemen who gobble blockers, and both Gaines and Robinson excel in that role. In the end, I fear that the market will bid for Gaines out of the Rams’ price range. On the flip side, A’Shawn Robinson loves the Rams’ culture, and I believe he may be willing to give the Rams a hometown discount to stay.
Status: Extend Marquise Copeland and extend A’Shawn Robinson on a team-friendly contract.

Inside linebacker (3): The LA Rams certainly upgraded their inside linebacker play in 2022. With the arrival of inside linebacker Bobby Wagner and the growth of Ernest Jones, the position was arguably the most productive and dependable of the LA Rams team. Add Jake Hummel, and you’ve rounded out the players who will be back in 2023. The Rams have two players who are on expiring contracts, ILB Christian Rozeboom and Travin Howard, both players are projected to be ERFAs. In my opinion, any player who can be signed for the cost of an ERFA should be re-signed. The Rams may wish to add a rookie to the roster in 2023, but the roster is as strong as it’s ever been at ILB since HC Sean McVay has taken over the reins of the team.
Status: Extend Christian Rozeboom and Travin Howard

Needs a bit more depth

Okay, here is where we need to gear down and go at a much slower pace. The LA Rams roster suffered a lot of injuries at wide receiver, defensive back, and offensive line positions. As such, we have to go into a bit more depth of discussion. Not only were the injuries far more extensive at these positions, but the team truly has far more players to ponder and project.

All set? Let’s dive right in:

Wide Receiver (10): The LA Rams wide receiver room is already well stocked, and borderline bursting at the seams. The LA Rams will welcome back Cooper Kupp, Allen Robinson, Van Jefferson, Ben Skowronek, Tutu Atwell, Lance McCutcheon, Austin Trammell, Jaquarii Roberson, and Jerreth Sterns. The team will also welcome back WR J.J. Koski, who agreed to an injury settlement in 2022 with the Rams, rounding out 10 receivers.

Who you do not see in that list of returning players is KR/PR/WR Brandon Powell. While the Rams loved Powell’s return game in 2021, his performance dropped considerably in 2022. Will that be enough for the Rams to part ways with the feisty receiver/returner? The 2023 NFL Draft is loaded with players who specialize in special teams.

You would think that the Rams, already boasting more receivers than this offense can target in a given season, unless injuries run roughshod on the roster, would be enough to make any head coach content for the 2023 NFL Season. Well, don’t fall for that one.

The LA Rams added three wide receivers to the roster in 2021, and that roster was very robust. In fact, WR Trishton Jackson, who held an active roster slot in 2020, was cut with the intention to re-sign to the LA Rams practice squad. Instead, he opted to sign with the Minnesota Vikings practice squad instead.
Status: KR/PR/Brandon Powell not extended

LA Rams secondary is a primary off-season need

Whether it is the way that DC Raheem Morris prefers to play defense, or simply the limits to a young and inconsistent secondary, the LA Rams roster must upgrade this offseason in terms of pass coverage and pass defense. The Rams played a rather deep shell coverage throughout the season, simply because the team did not have the defensive backs who could tighten up their coverage.

But this is not a busted secondary. It merely needs some key pieces at positions that will enhance the skill sets of everyone.

Defensive backs (9): The Rams expect to welcome back Jalen Ramsey, Robert Rochell, Cobie Durant, Derion Kendrick, Jordan Fuller, T.J. Carter, Richard LeCount, Russ Yeast, and Quentin Lake in 2023. While that is a strong starting point for the team, the Rams will likely look to add at least four more defensive backs in the offseason. Right now, the Rams have Jalen Ramsey at outside CB, Cobie Durant as the slot CB, and may look to start Jordan Fuller and Russ Yeast as their safeties.

The Rams expired contracts include: Nick Scott, Taylor Rapp, Jake Gervase, Troy Hill, David Long Jr., Shaun Jolly, and Grant Haley. Of the group, both Shaun Jolly and Jake Gervase are projected as ERFAs, and as such, are an easy decision to extend. But what of the rest? I’d love for the team to offer an extension to Nick Scott. Of the group, he has the potential to hold the line for the LA Rams as long as they understand his limits. He has not yet developed that fine eye for anticipating routes just yet, so the team will need to pair him up with a pass-defense-savvy safety. Can Jordan Fuller be that guy? Well, he is a far better option than bringing back Taylor Rapp.

I believe that the LA Rams will select a defensive back on Day 2, and one who can play both man and zone coverages. But I would not be surprised if the Rams load up on 4-6 defensive backs this offseason.
Status: Shaun Jolly and Jake Gervase extended. Nick Scott extended with a team-friendly deal

Durable big-bodied blockers

The LA Rams made significant changes to their starting offensive line in 2023, and like the 2019 NFL season, almost every one of those changes seemed to come back and bite them in the keister. I’m not here to sell you right now on the best options for the LA Rams’ starting offensive line in 2023.  Right now, I’m focused exclusively on who is on the roster next year, and who, if any, players on expiring contracts may be re-signed to the Rams roster.

Offensive linemen (10): For starters, the LA Rams roster will welcome back quite a few veteran offensive linemen. Brian Allen, Coleman Shelton, Logan Bruss, Tremayne Anchrum, Rob Havenstein, Alaric Jackson, Max Pircher, Joseph Noteboom, A.J. Arcuri, and Zach Thomas are all returning. That’s a huge number of returning players, and I’m not convinced that the Rams won’t be tempted to just reset the offensive line from this group and call it a day.

That’s what they did after the 2019 NFL season, and we know that the 2020 version of their offensive line was one of the NFL’s best.

The more the merrier, and the fiercer the competition

But if the Rams are nervous about durability or quality of play in 2023, they have plenty of options. Here are the offensive linemen who become free agents in the offseason:

Matt Skura, center
Oday Aboushi, guard
David Edwards, guard
Ty Nsekhe, tackle

Of course, the Rams could just clean the roster, ignore value-added options, and just draft away. But didn’t the Rams just draft IOL Logan Bruss, and we saw no contribution from him in 2022? If the Rams can extend Skura, Aboushi, and most of all, Nsekhe, to team-friendly contracts, I’m all for it. All three were thrown into the LA Rams offensive line with no training camp and minimal time to onboard and orient themselves to the Rams offense. And if they cannot earn a start, they will at least push the player who does earn a start hard.

Bringing them back also allows the Rams an opportunity to focus on the best player available when they select. And even at the 37th overall pick, the Rams will have a strong chance to select a first-round rated rookie prospect who falls to them at that point.

David Edwards is another story. He was injured badly in 2022, and I have no confidence that he can compete in the NFL in 2023.

Rams OL projections are better than many seem to believe

The Rams’ offensive line currently projects to be very solid at right tackle with Rob Havenstein and right guard, whether that is Coleman Shelton or Tremayne Anchrum. I believe that Coleman Shelton is far better at the center, and more durable, than Brian Allen.  So who for the left side? I love the idea of starting Alaric Jackson at left tackle. And that frees up Joseph Noteboom to start at left guard.  That’s just the base.  Logan Bruss could win the left guard role. Max Pircher, a darkhorse offensive lineman who is entering his third NFL season, is a player I believe you should keep a close eye on.

If the LA Rams grab a very good to elite offensive tackle or interior offensive lineman on Day 2, and one more solid depth offensive lineman on Day 3, the Rams’ offensive line has a great chance to finish among the NFL’s Top-5 in 2023.
Status: Matt Skura, Oday Aboushi, and Ty Nsekhe extended with team-friendly deals

That’s it. This is a lot of information that I’ve put out there. And I don’t pretend to know it all, so I invite you to openly discuss the Rams roster in the comments section. But the Rams’ offseason is coming quickly, and I have to admit that having worked on, and reread the status of the Rams roster, I actually feel much better about the team.

The Rams’ secondary needs to be upgraded. But the real strategy will happen after the LA Rams begin to reform the 2023 roster. Stay tuned, because here we go . . .