Some early Rams starting defense lineup projections

With a new season facing a new LA Rams team, the questions that training camp must solve for inquisitive fans are: Who's starting? After all, the entire purpose of an NFL training camp is to train and coach up players, assess their fit in the team's system, and eventually use those assessments to determine who has earned a starting role, and who has earned a slot on the 53-man roster.

The problem is that right now, we really have no idea who the starting 11 players will be on the Rams roster. But we do have some starters who are virtually a lock to start this season. And we do have some names to pencil into some of the other starting positions for the Rams' defense.

And so, the speculation and early projections for the LA Rams' starting defense begin. What is the prize for getting it right? Bragging rights. So here is our first entrant. Notice the presence of two players at ILB and at FS? This guy knows how to name 12 players at 11 positions

Where do starting defense projections agree?

Here is our first projection. Curiously, he projects DB/LB hybrid Jason Taylor II as the starting ILB alongside ILB Ernest Jones

Next up? Ourlads.com has their own version of their LA Rams depth chart. They predict the following starters on the Rams defense:

1. DL - Marquise Copeland, Bobby Brown III, Aaron Donald
2. LB - Byron Young, Ernest Jones, Christian Rozeboom, Michael Hoecht
3. DB- Ahkello Witherspoon, Jordan Fuller, Russ Yeast, Derion Kendrick/Cobie Durant

Pro Football Network has taken their shot at predicting the 2023 LA Rams depth chart as well.

1. DL - Marquise Copeland, Bobby Brown III, Aaron Donald
2. LB - Byron Young, Ernest Jones, Christian Rozeboom, Michael Hoecht
3. DB- Robert Rochell, Jordan Fuller, Russ Yeast, Derion Kendrick/Cobie Durant

And finally, we have CBS Sports, who have taken a turn at projecting the 2023 LA Rams starting defense for 2023 as well.

1. DL - Kobie Turner, Bobby Brown III, Aaron Donald
2. LB - Byron Young, Ernest Jones, Christian Rozeboom, Michael Hoecht
3. DB- Robert Rochell, Jordan Fuller, Russ Yeast, Cobie Durant

As you can see, even in a season in which the LA Rams are bursting with competition at the 2023 Training Camp, the bold names listed above are unanimously expected to start for the team this season. So where are the conflicts?

There is a disagreement between rookie DL Kobie Turner versus veteran Marquise Copeland. While I love Turner's attitude, I would expect veteran Marquise Copeland to get the nod for starting this season. Another disputed starter is that of either Christian Rozeboom versus rookie Jason Taylor II as the other inside linebacker position. Like the DL position, I look for the Rams to start the season with veteran Christian Rozeboom. But I would not be surprised if a third competitor surfaces for a starting role during preseason games.

Finally, I expect veteran Ahkello Witherspoon to get the starting nod over Robert Rochell. Truth be told, my hopes for Rochell even making the LA Rams 53-man roster are fading rapidly.

Even though many starting defense projections agree, I would look for at least one starting position to land in the lap of a complete surprise player. And even in the presence of a unanimous consensus, unless the player is All-Pro DL Aaron Donald, nothing is guaranteed this season.