Rams coach's praise makes this rookie look like a draft-day steal

The Los Angeles Rams roster has never seemed this talented since hiring Sean McVay as the head coach in 2017. While the team has clearly defined starters for 2025, the depth and talent level of backups and rotational players have given multiple position battles an aura of too-close-to-call up and down the roster.

That's all great news for the team. A rising tide floats all boats, and more talented players can be as uplifting for the overall team as adding an All-Pro veteran. One fiercely competitive position battle is the running back. The team had anointed Kyren Williams as a starter, but rookie Jarquez Hunter has proven that draft profiles were correct. And offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur just confirmed that in a recent press conference.

Comments from any offensive coordinator that suggest an optimal scenario for a player getting a heavy workload are always music to that player's ears. The comments also confirm what many fans have seen from the young runner, that he is a load to tackle who seems to tire defenders faster than he himself tires during a football game. While some talented players are bound to be cut, Hunter will not be among them.

Rams incoming roster cuts won't affect Jarquez Hunter

All 32 NFL teams are inching closer and closer to the deadline. With the team scheduled to compete in Game 3 of the 2025 preseason against the Cleveland Browns on Saturday, there is little time to assess the outcome of the game before players are released. The front office and coaching staff must manage 37 player releases before the deadline on Tuesday.

NFL teams have less than a day to lay waiver claims for any released players (by 9:00 am PT on Wednesday). Once that deadline is met, teams can fill their 17-player practice squad. Once rosters have been established, further transactions are limited in terms of frequency and total numbers. For example, NFL teams may carry two players on IR to start the season. But activating players from IR are subject to a maximum of eight times throughout the season.

The Rams have a surplus of running backs on the current roster and will undoubtedly seek to slide at least one player to the practice squad. The frontrunners to make the team are Williams, Hunter, and Blake Corum. Hunter is a great change of pace addition to the offense, bringing both lightning-swift speed to race to daylight and thunderous power between the tackles.

There is little chance that fans will see the 22-year-old compete in Game 3 of the preseason. But the latest comments from LaFleur hint that fans may see him quite frequently throughout the regular season. As always, thanks for reading.

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