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An important Rams’ roster battle is finally over after preseason finale

With the preseason complete, the Los Angeles Rams finally have some clarity on their depth chart heading into the regular season.
ByJaleel Grandberry|
Aug 16, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams linebacker Shaun Dolac (56) and linebacker Brennan Jackson (44) react after blocking a pass against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second quarter at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images
Aug 16, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams linebacker Shaun Dolac (56) and linebacker Brennan Jackson (44) react after blocking a pass against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second quarter at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images | Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Rams finished the preseason with a 2-1 record, but the three games were more about evaluating the roster than securing wins. With the preseason now concluded, the Rams, like every team in the NFL, are trimming their roster down to 53 players. After seeing guys compete in training camp and in preseason games, Los Angeles knows who it wants to make up its roster.

The Rams also have an idea of what their depth chart looks like. While the team didn’t really have any battles for starting spots, there were several competitions for top depth spots. One of those battles was at the outside linebacker spot to see who would be Jared Verse’s primary backup.

The competition was between Nick Hampton and Brennan Jackson, and after training camp and the preseason, it’s clear Hampton won the battle.

Nick Hampton finishes ahead of Brennan Jackson on Rams depth chart

Hampton, entering his third season, was battling Jackson, who is entering year two. Both players were selected in the fifth round of their respective drafts by the Rams, and were fighting to move up the depth chart. By the time the final preseason game arrived, Jackson was the only one of the two still playing. That typically means he’s lower on the depth chart, and Hampton had already secured his spot.

Now, Hampton will return for year three and try to significantly improve his production. In two seasons with the Rams, he has appeared in 24 total games, but only recorded seven total tackles. The majority of the time he spent on the field in his first two years was as a special teams player. Hampton has 316 special teams snaps compared to just 76 defensive snaps.

That’s a number he’ll want to see increase in 2025, but it probably won’t increase drastically, because he is still behind Jared Verse. However, as a second-unit player, Hampton now has the ground to prove he should be in the rotation of Los Angeles’ talented young defensive linemen.

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