4 Rams who may already be guaranteed cuts before preseason finale vs. Texans

(4) - IOL Mike McAlister

The first LA Rams unofficial depth chart lists Mike McAlister as the backup center, ranked higher than rookie center Beaux Limmer. But from his first snaps of the football in preseason Game 1, fans knew and understood that Limmer was the true backup center. And no matter how you hold this roster up to the light, there is no room for a third center on this team's 53-man roster. Perhaps on the practice squad, but not on the active roster.

While the odds were clearly stacked against him, Mike McAlister may have helped the team on their upcoming decision. You see, when he swapped in to replace a shaken-up Limmer in Game 1 of the preseason, he had a series of mental mistakes that stood out like a sore thumb. As a result, a rather difficult decision has become quite easy.

I will not foolishly presume to know the minds of every coach, not to presume that every practice and repetition have gone against McAlister. He was listed as a backup center in the Rams' first unofficial depth chart for a reason. But Beaux Limmer has overtaken McAlister and is getting work with the 1s now. From a group of Steve Avila, Beaux Limmer, and Mike McAlister, McAlister is the odd man out.

If the Rams do ultimately have starting Beaux Limmer as a possible starter in the offensive line at center this season, then the team will almost certainly restore Steve Avila to left guard. In that scenario, the team may wish to bring McAlister back to the practice squad as a potential backup center. But the team also has another promising rookie center in former USC IOL Justin Dedich.

The Rams roster seems to be blessed with better and younger options than Mike McAlister right now. That's is good for the team, but bad for him.