LA Rams roster: Four betters, Four worse

Truly Madly Deeply

III: The LA Rams depth chart was suspect a year ago. With a 2022 rookie draft class that did not even get started until over 100 rookies were off the board, the Rams had to play catch-up with quantity over quality. Looking back at that 2022 draft class, the LA Rams chose with the draft picks at their disposal, banking on the fact that the coaching staff would be able to coach them up over the course of the season into NFL contributors. I'm not convinced that happened as often as we might believe.

This year, the Rams had three rookies selected long before the 100th overall selection was made. Even more impressive, the 2023 rookie class was so deep that the Rams may have chosen NFL potential starters on Day 3 of the draft, and even into their undrafted free agents. I could be a bit overly giddy, but the LA Rams' depth feels stronger this season than it had felt in the past. While the quality of starters this year may not be nearly as impressive as previous versions of the Rams roster, the Rams front office feels like it did a solid and wise set of rookie selections.

Robust tight end group

IV: Whether or not you are confident in the tight ends on the LA Rams roster right now, this is one of the deeper groups of tight ends on the Rams roster since the Rams lost Gerald Everett to free agency. Not only does this team have veteran starting TE Tyler Higbee and Brycen Hopkins returning, but the team traded for an excellent blocking tight end Hunter Long from the Miami Dolphins.

As if that was not enough, the Rams drafted 6-foot-6 250-pound Clemson tight end Davis Allen in Round 5 of the 2023 NFL Draft with the 175th overall pick. Finally, the Rams signed undrafted free agent Christian Sims out of Bowling Green. Standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 239 pounds, Sims can be positioned anywhere in the Rams offense to optimize his utility. That gives the Rams an option at fullback, tight end, or even wide receiver rather than commit WR Ben Skowronek to that role exclusively.

With five players, all of whom could find a niche role on the Rams roster in 2023, the competition will be fierce for a roster spot and playing time this season. Better competition should mean a better team this season.