Rams roster breakdown gets a rosy spin fans might not fully buy

The Los Angeles Rams have completed what is likely the most difficult and painful task of the year: trimming the 90-man training camp roster down to the initial 53-man squad that will take on the 17-game regular season. It’s never an easy process, as parting ways with 37 players full of promise and potential always stings.

But this isn’t about the 37 players who didn’t make it. Every NFL team has to reach the same 53-player threshold before the season kicks off. So the more meaningful perspective is to compare this year’s roster against last year’s, to assess whether certain position groups improved, declined, or simply held steady in both talent and depth.

That’s exactly the approach taken by the latest episode of Between the Horns, hosted by J.B. Long, D’Marco Farr, and Stu Jackson. Each host picked a position group, evaluated whether it had gotten better or worse, and explained why. It’s a smart, straightforward way to size up the roster immediately after cutdowns. But the question remains: did the BTH crew get it right?

Optimism runs heavy in BTH’s 2025 Rams roster breakdown

The early segments of the podcast worked well, with the hosts each picking a position group they felt had improved from last year. To their credit, they backed up their choices with solid reasoning and insights. But by the time the episode wrapped, not a single unit was labeled as worse. That’s a nice thought, sure, but it doesn’t exactly square with reality.

There are always tradeoffs with roster construction, and the Rams are no exception. So, as a bit of a reality check, here are four areas that might not have taken a step forward from 2024, and the reasons for a less-than-rosy outlook.

(5) - Offensive line

I love the depth of the Rams’ offensive line, and that’s clearly an upgrade over last year. But the uncertainty at left tackle lingers, with Alaric Jackson still limited by the medical condition that kept him out of contact all through camp and the preseason. He might be fine once the season kicks off, but the cloud hanging over him is hard to ignore. And while Coleman Shelton should be an upgrade over Jonah Jackson, there’s still that nagging question: if Shelton really was the better option, why did the Rams let him walk just a season ago?

(4) - Punt coverage

The first area of concern is punt coverage. Punter Ethan Evans has been booming kicks all preseason, but the coverage unit hasn’t kept pace. Allowing 169 yards and a touchdown on just 10 returns is flat-out alarming... the worst mark in the NFL. That doesn’t necessarily mean the group has regressed, but the results speak for themselves. Unless the Rams have a hidden answer waiting in the wings, this is a problem that needs fixing fast.

(3) - Outside linebackers

The Rams essentially brought back the same group at outside linebacker, but swapped out both Michael Hoecht and Brennan Jackson for rookie Josaiah Stewart. The pass rush should hold up since this defense generates pressure across the front, and there’s every reason to expect more production from starters Byron Young and Jared Verse. The concern is depth. Nick Hampton remains raw, and Stewart is completely untested, so the health of the starters is going to matter a lot.

(2) - Safeties

The Rams kept four solid safeties on the roster, but they no longer have veteran John Johnson IV, a steady presence who helped guide the group through camp and preseason. That depth was a big reason Quentin Lake was able to slide into the slot corner role last year. This season, the team is sticking with just four safeties to make room for extra players at other positions.

(1) - Quarterback

The Rams brought back the same three quarterbacks as last year, but everyone is a year older. The optics of the group now lean toward uncertainty: Matthew Stafford looks more fragile, and Jimmy Garoppolo a bit more erratic. The 37-year-old starter sat out all of training camp, which gave extra reps to Garoppolo and Stetson Bennett. The tradeoff is even more doubt about Stafford heading into the season.

This isn’t a doomsday proclamation, just a realistic look at where things stand. Some parts of this roster inspire less confidence than last year’s, and durability will be the biggest test. Development will matter, too. The answers won’t come until the season’s end. As always, thanks for reading.