Rams vs Cowboys preseason Week 1: 12 storylines fans must monitor

(8) - Will Rams play any of Top-3 tight ends in first preseason game?

The Rams seem to have a bonus surplus of talent at the tight end position, with TEs Colby Parkinson, Davis Allen, and Hunter Long all having solid performances. But if the team intends to limit playing time to one or two tight ends in their joint scrimmage with the Cowboys, shouldn't the team allow any players now showing up in the scrimmage to compete in preseason games?

And if so, who will play in the first preseason game against the Cowboys?

While I would love to see veteran TE Colby Parkinson in preseason, I cannot hope to see the presumed starter competing in any preseason games this year. While he could use the work with this offense in game-like conditions, I expect that he will be limited to joint scrimmages. And that may be enough for him this year.

I am less convinced that TE Davis Allen will be limited exclusively to joint scrimmages this year. While the objective of keeping players healthy for the regular season in admirable, there is a need to balance the workload, as well as get in some quality work. Davis Allen, though incredibly talented, is still only entering his second NFL season.

For that matter, veteran TE Hunter Long may be a seasoned veteran, but his use as an active receiver in this Rams offense has been sparse. He needs to get work as a pass catcher, and what better opportunity to do so than target him in preseason games?

(7) - Will Jimmy Garoppolo see any playing time in preseason?

There have been a series of mixed reviews about veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo so far from the Rams training camp. In one area, he has been masterful in unlocking the potential to many receivers and tight ends with solid passes. But, just when you expect consistent play for the former foe, he loses his mojo and begins to miss players repeatedly.

Those episodic struggles have begun to sour some fans and analysts on his long-term future with the team (understanding that long-term is relative to the 2024 NFL season as per his executed contract).

I expect that Stetson Bennett will get most of the preseason work in 2024. And for cleanup duties, and to ensure proper workload management, the team will get some work from reserve QB Dresser Winn. But the Rams will miss a golden opportunity to synch Jimmy Garoppolo up with this offense if the team relegates him to joint scrimmages playing behind starting quarterback Matthew Stafford the entire time.

Garoppolo will sit for two games to start off the 2024 NFL season. The team should get as much work out of him before that happens as possible.