The LA Rams surprise fans with this position depth in 53-man roster prediction

Running Back (3)

Starter: Kyren Williams

Backup: Blake Corum, Boston Scott

Practice Squad (2): Zach Evans, Ronnie Rivers

Unlike many, I believe that the Rams stick with the versatility of veteran RB Boston Scott. Scott leads all NFL running backs in rushing yards after two preseason games, and his average YPC is 4.92, a respectable matter. Better still, he is the only running back to have an average of 4.5 yards per carry, while putting up 20+ preseason carries

The team love Ronnie Rivers. I get that. But I contend that the presence of Blake Corum should (and probably won't) change the team's perception that Ronnie Rivers offers this offense the best change-of-pace option for Kyren Williams. Right now, that alternative is the powerful strides of Blake Corum. That means the third running back option on the roster will need to be gifted at running, receiving, and even able to chip in at special teams. In my view, Boston Scott is the team's best 'third' option

Yes, there are teams that will be scanning the waiver wire for competent running backs. No matter who the Rams try to slide to their practice squad, they are at risk of some other team claiming them. But I'll go with this for now.

Receiver (6)

Starters: Puka Nacua, Demarcus Robinson, Cooper Kupp

Backups: Xavier Smith, Tuta Atwell, Jordan Whittington,

Likely Practice Squad (2) : Sam Wiglusz, JJ Laap

Released: Drake Stoops, Tyler Johnson

This is where I really started to feel the pain, and this has been a very tough matter. I could make an argument for this team to keep 10 receivers, but I know that the Rams will keep no more than six with the pressure to keep plenty of depth elsewhere. We know that rookie WR Jordan Whittington will make the roster. He had the most receiving yards in the NFL through two preseason games.

Curiously, his teammate, WR Xavier Smith, is the fourth-highest wide receiver in terms of yardage through two preseason games. Should the Rams turn a blind eye to that? I couldn't. The other aspect that I like about this configuration is the fact that the Rams offense poses a true threat to test the back end of defenses. If the team goes with a four-WR set, the team could send both Tutu Atwell and Xavier Smith on routes on either sideline. That alone would clear out a lot of the middle for either Cooper Kupp or Puka Nacua to run intermediate routes. and gain big yards.

As is the case with so many positions on this team, open slots are filled before talented players are exhausted. At one point, I had Tyler Johnson making the roster. But his two catches out of seven targets stands in stark contrast to the catch-everything performance of his teammate, Xaver Smith.. And so it's Smith in, Johnson out. Finally, the team has to shed one rookie wide receiver. For me, Sam Wiglusz had a gutsy preseason, and then there is JJ Laap's game winning touchdown catch. Despite his popularity with many fans, Drake Stoops is the odd-man out in terms of the team's practice squad.

For now, at least.

Tight End (2/3)

Starter: Colby Parkinson

Backups: Davis Allen

Practice squad (1): Miller Forristall

Released: Nikola Kalinic, Hunter Long

Injured: Tyler Higbee (ACL - IR/PUP)

I am torn on this matter. I could see the Rams starting the season with two tight ends and expanding the position to three with the return of a healthy starting tight end. While where have heard plenty of positives about the Rams coaching staff being quite pleased with three tight ends in Colby Parkinson, Davis Allen, and Hunter Long, I am simply not seeing the value to this roster at keeping three tight ends on the active roster. At least not until they commit to more 12-personnel package formations and plays.

We know that Colby Parkinson is 'the guy,' at least until Tyler Higbee returns. And I cannot see how this team steps aways from the amazing progress that second-year tight end Davis Allen made in his rookie season. But I haven't seen all of the potential that veteran TE Hunter Long was supposed to bring to the. Now in his second year of potential that has yet to turn into production, I think the Rams part ways with him.

The practice squad comes down to Nikola Kalinic or Miller Forristall. Right now, I give the nod to Forristall due to his game-winning touchdown heroics in Game 1. But Kalinic put on quite a show in Game 2. There is only one realistic practice squad slot open. Flip a coin.

My coin toss came up Forristall.