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

Defense - Active Roster (26) | Practice Squad (8)

Defensive Line (6):

Starters: Kobie Turner, Bobby Brown III, Braden Fiske

Backups: Tyler Davis, Desjuan Johnson, Carlos Watkins

Practice squad (2): Tuli Letuligasenoa, Anthony Goodlaw

Released: David Olajiga, Cory Durden, Larrell Murchison

The Rams defensive line may be the one area that has ascended far beyond expectations this off-season. The front office has outdone itself, landing three defensive linemen who make the roster, one of whom never heard his name called out in the draft in Oklahoma State defensive end Anthony Goodlow. Is it the opportunities that make the rookie prospects excel on this team? With a unit that had limited players returning, this group seems robust, talented, and ready to take on the challenge of the NFL.

Kobie Turner is a gifted player who returns for his second season. But he is not the only player fans will want to watch. There is the tremendous performance of rookie defensive tackle Braden Fiske, who has been more than a match for both Rams and other teams' offensive linemen. Anchoring them all is the stalwart run-stuffing ability of nose tackle Bobby Brown III. They will be joined in the rotation by DT Tyler Davis, DE Desjuan Johnson, and DE Carlos Watkins.

There are just six slots, but this team could carry many more players than that. Releasing anyone is painful, but this team has to part ways with thee defensive linemen to make the numbers work. Some solid talent won't be returning.

Edge Rushers (5)

Starters: Jared Verse, Byron Young

Backups: Michael Hoecht, Nick Hampton, Brennan Jackson

Practice squad (1): Zach VanValkenburg

Released:  Ochaun Mathis, Keir Thomas

The LA Rams wanted to put more pressure on the quarterback in 2024, and the combination of rookie OLB Jared Verse with second-year OLB Byron Young could do that alone. The pair could hit 20.0+ quarterback sacks in 2024, which is a phenomenal pass rush unto itself. But the team will finally start to get serious contributions from rotational players as well.

Although a seasoned veteran, this is just the second full season of DT turned OLB Michael Hoecht. Hoecht is not only getting acclimated at his new role on the edge, but he has the benefit of a defensive coordinator that saw how offenses were placing him at a disadvantage, and is taking steps to prevent that this season. But he is not the only one who shows up in a big way.

Nicki Hampton has bulked up. Brennan Jackson is incredibly physical. Both pry a roster spot free. That leaves one practice squad slot remaining, and right now I see that filled by Zach VanValkenburg. But ZVB continues to take an inside pass rush that drops containment of mobile quarterbacks, so that could change in Game 3.

Off-Ball Linebackers (4)

Starters: Ernest Jones IV, Christian Rozeboom

Backups: Omar Speights, Jacob Hummel

Practice squad (2): Elias Neal, Troy Reeder

Released: Olakunle Fatukasi

Ah yes, the inside linebacker position. It's the one position on this roster where the LA Rams coaching staff seems to be content to have the same cast of characters back in the same positions, while the fans seem to perceive the upside of new undrafted rookies and want to afford the newbies a chance at starting their own NFL careers.

Something has to give.

Hopefully a little of both. Whatever the Rams had, do, or will see in veteran ILB Troy Reeder, I do not. As such, I have him released. Unfortunately, so is Olakunle Fatukasi, a young man who has potential. The problem is, as is the case with so many on this list, is that both undrafted rookie inside linebackers Elias Neal and Omar Speights have shown far more physical and adept at running the heart of this defense.

I almost did not keep Omar Speights on the roster. But a defense that has not allowed a preseason touchdown in eight quarters is getting it's juice from somewhere, and that somewhere is from Speights. He is both physical and relentless in the heart of this defense.