It only took one joint practice for Rams veteran to slide down depth chart

Are you on the edge of your seats? You have every excuse to be, as the news, rumors, and post-scrimmage analyses covering the Los Angeles Rams are coming at fans from every direction right now. And that is a shame, because among all that traffic, a solid and intriguing article can slip right past a reader, like this early Rams roster projection.

Well, the time for speculation is over. It's not as much guesswork and creating a 53-man depth chart out of thin air any longer. After the first joint practice and scrimmage, they have finally decided to draw a line in the sand.

The team finally published the first unofficial depth chart for the 2025 NFL season. This initial document has many shocks, surprises, and opportunities for agreement. But this is not the end of the roster additions. But it provides some clues as to how the Rams are trending.

Rams' first unofficial depth chart isn't matching what's being witnessed at camp

There has been a great deal of focus from the front office and fans as far as the team's inside linebacker tandem this offseason. We've repeatedly shared how GM Les Snead has attacked the roster from all angles, ensuring a wide variety of skill sets and experience levels to sort through.

From all of that roster building and numerous practices, the team has pencilled in the following names in the ILB depth chart:

• ILB: Omar Speights | Elias Neal | Pooh Paul Jr. | Shaun Dolac
• ILB: Nate Landman | Troy Reeder | Tony Fields II

Now, don't overreact. They're unlikely to release both rookie inside linebackers this season, as this depth chart suggests. And there is still the review and assessment of joint practice and scrimmage, and video footage to review. As that happens, veteran ILB Troy Reeder may likely find his place sliding on the Rams depth chart.

The Dallas Cowboys were shut down for the most part during their scrimmage against the Rams. But on one run, the best of the day for Dallas' offense, you can identify veteran Troy Reeder (#51) putting his head down at the bottom right-hand of the video, rushing to the line of scrimmage, and being instantly neutralized and blocked out of the way by pulling guard TJ Bass (#66).

No, a single play does not sink or propel a player's NFL career. But this is the same pattern that almost everyone witnessed repeatedly in 2024. It was that inability to shed blockers that took Reeder out of position.

Only one play? Sure. But it's one more data point along a string of data points with a downward trend. No one knows what the coaches see in training camp that keeps buoying him to the top of the depth charts. But it's time to face reality.

Reeder is just not a guy who can shed blockers. As a six-year vet, it's unlikely he'll improve overnight in that area. He may be good enough for a depth role on the roster, but this team has seven players vying for four slots.

Someone has to go. And the evidence continues to support the release of Troy Reeder this season.

As always, thanks for reading.

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