Projecting LA Rams Depth Chart as 2024 Training Camp gets underway

Off-Ball Linebackers

Starters: Ernest Jones IV, Christian Rozeboom

Backups: Troy Reeder, Omar Speights

Next in line: Jacob Hummel, Elias Neal, Olakunle Fatukasi

The star this season on defense is ILB Ernest Jones IV. Not only does he boast some of the most experience in this defense, but he is hands down the most productive tackler on the defensive side of the football. Entering his fourth season, I expect that he will continue to show progress and improvement, and will likely put up career-high numbers.

Unfortunately, the team has yet to pair him up with the ideal partner. ILB Christian Rozeboom returns, and will almost certainly get the start over other players, at least to start off the season. For the life of me, I am clearly disconnected from what the Rams see in oft-out of position ILB Troy Reeder. I have hoped that Reeder would someday 'get it,' in terms of knowing where to be to make the play, but am still disappointed.

Of course, there are intriguing players in the mix this season in rookies Omar Speights, Elias Neal, as well as the return of unheralded Olakunle Fatukasi. If the other starting spot alongside Jones is up for grabs, my hope is that one of these three wins the job outright.

Cornerback

Starters: Tre'Davious White, Cobie Durant

Backups: Jerry Jacobs, Tre Tomlinson

Next in line: Charles Woods, Cameron McCutcheon, Josh Wallace, Cam Lampkin

Injured: Derion Kendrick (ACL), Darious Williams (Hamstring)

As it stands right now, the Rams have lost rotational cornerback Derion Kendrick for the season, and are working with Darious Williams to heal a hamstring injury. That has made many Rams fans nervous, and rightfully so. The pace of injuries to cornerbacks was alarming. But perhaps it's a healthy type of alarm.

Two actions can be attributed as a direct result of injuries to cornerbacks. The first action is the fact that it triggered the front office to sign a new free-agent cornerback to compete for a roster spot. The second action intensified the competition in training camp to vie for a significant role among all cornerbacks on the roster. Injuries, while unfortunate, are as incentivizing to players trying to make the team as candy motivates young children to scramble to collect as much as possible.

And yet, Darious Willaims will heal up and return. In the meantime, a lot of players will get more reps than expected, and closer looks from the coaching staff, than they would have gotten.

Someone on the Rams roster will seize this opportunity and skyrocket up the depth chart. While I currently have Tre Tomlinson and newly signed Jerry Jacobs as the backups, look for that to change in the weeks ahead.