4 Rams position fights about to take center stage in first preseason test

The Los Angeles Rams must be ready for their first preseason game of 2025. The team may have plans for innovations and changes to the playbook for the new season, but don't expect to see many innovations against the Dallas Cowboys. This team not only sits starters, but it also runs a vanilla offense in preseason.

It's a new season, which logically lends itself to a new preseason. Forget what you think you know about the team from last season. Much has changed, or soon will be. What you can count on in this first preseason game is to see new faces competing fiercely for limited roster slots.

The preseason is all about Stetson Bennett. He started two preseason games last year before the team decided that they had seen enough evidence to keep him, starting QB Dresser Winn in the final preseason game. But who will join him on the football field in preseason Game 1?

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(4) - Which wide receiver earns a roster spot?

You are in safe territory to expect the Rams to sit Davante Adams, Puka Nacua, and perhaps even Tutu Atwell in this first preseason game. But look for the offense to give opportunities to the other receivers.

Of particular note in this first preseason game is to hone in on who Bennett seems to have the best chemistry with in the game. Another area to focus on is the competition between Smith and Britain Covey in the offense, as well as on special teams. Whoever plays best in this one could get a pass by sitting out in the remaining two preseason games.

(3) - What does the offensive line look like?

The Rams are nursing some injuries, and I expect that both backup LT DJ Humphries and swing tackle Warren McClendon Jr. will sit this one out. That still leaves 10 offensive linemen competing for as few as two or three roster slots. Complicating the matter further is the fact that four of the ten come with NFL starting experience.

I cannot see the team sticking with David Quessenberry as the sole left tackle, while three players compete for playing time at right guard. Based on 2024, I expect OT AJ Arcuri to see action at left tackle, while KT Leveston slides out to take snaps at right tackle.

(2) - Which running back gets to rest feature RB Kyren Williams?

It appears that the running back room is open season for anyone who plays running back. You already know four running backs who are returning from last season. Which explains why I find myself eagerly anticipating the first appearance of rookies Jarquez Hunter and Jordan Waters.

Jordan Waters is unlikely to see many carries or snaps. That's disappointing, because it would be great to see a 6-foot, 225-pound running back get a fighting chance to perform in this offense. Even if he only gets a chance in short-yardage scenarios to move the pile, it would just be fun to see.

But the true leading man in this first preseason game is rookie running back Jarquez Hunter. He will finally make an appearance to Rams fans who are eager to see for themselves just how magical he can be in this offense. If he truly is that perfect-storm combination of speed and power, then this one is definitely worth seeing.

(1) - How many tight ends will the Rams carry in 2024?

It never fails. The offense invariably faces a new season with multiple players getting injured. While the hope for a full recovery is improving rapidly for Matthew Stafford, the team continues to grapple with the absence of starting LT Alaric Jackson and now rookie tight end Terrance Ferguson.

Ferguson's absence is a double-whammy. Not only does it hinder his development, impacting how quickly and to what extent he can contribute in this offense, but it also limits the coaches' understanding of how to best use him in the offense this season.

Since the Rams default offense is 11-personnel (one tight end, one running back), the first unofficial Rams depth chart does not break out the most likely tight end who would be used in the offense during two tight end formations.

With Ferguson out, the offense will almost certainly emphasize Davis Allen. But I'd love to see what either Anthony Torres or Mark Redman can do in a preseason game. Tyler Higbee won't play in this one, but he is the only tight end I trust to score in the offense. With Ferguson sitting this one out, it's open season for the tight end room.

As always, thanks so much for reading.