6 times PFF's projected Rams starting lineup missed key position battles

(2) - RBs: Blake Corum, Kyren Williams

The premise that Blake Corum comes in at top billing for the Rams running back room, or even the hint that he will find parity in the number of his carries with teammate RB Kyren Williams, starts on thin ice. But if the position is going to be listed as a running back by committee, projections have to include rookie RB Jarquez Hunter.

The Rams are actively negotiating with featured RB Kyren Williams, and by all accounts from the team and the player, those negotiations have been productive and friendly. But I am a bit skeptical about the matter in terms of Williams emerging with a record-setting contract in terms of compensation.

That won't happen. If progress is being made in Williams' contract, then he is being quite realistic in his salary demands. After all, the devil is in the details of his next deal. And the team has five other running backs who would just love to be in his place.

Someone, or perhaps several running backs, will not get that chance. The Rams are carrying six running backs on the roster in OTAs. The team carried four running backs in 2024. The team settled for three running backs in 2020, when a running-back-by-committee made up of rookie Cam Akers, veteran Darrell Henderson Jr., and power back Malcolm Brown combined to be an impressive ground assault.

If HC Sean McVay was not trying to mislead this offseason, he shared that he would like to pattern some offensive innovations after the success of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs managed to run roughshod over their opponents behind rookie RB Bucky Irving and veteran RB Rachaad White.

So, how does that shake down in terms of the Rams' depth chart? Well, I would hesitate to put Blake Corum in the conversation without rookie RB Jarquez Hunter. If Blake Corum is the mechanized infantry that keeps rolling along, then Hunter is the wrecking ball that comes at you fast and knocks down brick walls.

Borrowing from Dr. Seuss's Cat In The Hat, Kyren Williams and Blake Corum are Thing 1 and Thing 2. On the other hand, Hunter is the Cat himself, appearing like a flash out of nowhere. I'd list Kyren Williams alone for the running back position. But I expect 50 percent of the team's carries in 2025 to be handled by Corum and Hunter.

A pipe dream? Perhaps. But don't wake me out of the slumber just yet.

(2) - ILBs: Omar Speights, Troy Reeder

The PFF projections of starting ILB Omar Speights and Troy Reeder make some sense, as the team's vetting and investment of careful considerations were blown up after the 2024 NFL season. Last year, the team traded presumed starting ILB Ernest Jones IV away just before Week 1, and was forced to scramble to promote somebody in his place. The team settled for their two veterans in Troy Reeder and Christian Rozeboom. Reeder was injured by mid-season, once again forcing the team to promote a player.

And that is how undrafted rookie Omar Speights landed a starting role on the defense.

The Rams were forced to promote undrafted rookie center Beaux Limmer into a starting role last season. This year, he is almost certainly facing a backup role to veteran center Coleman Shelton. So, if that is good enough for the offense, is something very similar taking place on the defensive side of the football?

Rather than pairing veteran ILB Nate Landman up with Omar Speights, I expect him to be in direct competition with Speights for the run-stuffing ILB role this season. And if that happens, then the pairing of Landman (run stuffer) and Troy Reeder (pass coverage) makes some sense. Furthermore, the Rams' tendency to stick with veterans over rookies at the inside linebacker position in 2024 could be a bone of contention for fans this season.

Ideally, the team is better suited by pairing Omar Speights with rookie ILB Pooh Paul Jr. That may happen yet. But Reeder always seems to look great for the team until the season starts. Don't say I didn't warn you.