This just in: LA Rams ILB Jake Hummel pushing hard for a roster spot

The LA Rams roster is extremely competitive right now. So the chances of second-year inside linebacker Jake Hummel making the Rams roster may not be up to his liking. But don't tell him that. You see, the 6-foot-1 235-pound defender is attacking this year's preseason like a man on a mission.

That mission is to earn a role on the Rams' defense for the 2023 NFL season. So far, on my scorecard, that is exactly what he is doing. Not just doing, but blowing away the competition. With a preseason with a lack of resolve, Jake Hummel has been a dependable playmaker for the LA Rams' defense. And you can bet that the Rams coaching staff notices.

Well, LA Rams head coach Sean McVay certainly did, as he was conversing with Los Angeles ABC 7 as Hummel picked off a Las Vegas quarterback Brian Hoyer pass on second down and nine yards to go at the Las Vegas Raiders 11-yard line for a quick interception and touchdown:

That's quite a reaction from the Coach McVay, wasn't it?

Some stars are rising on the Rams defense

While that was a phenomenal play, it was just the icing on the cake for the dependable Hummel. Youi see, of two preseason games, Hummel has already piled up nine tackles and an interception. The only player who has more tackles in two preseason games is defensive back Jordan Jones, who has ten tackles in two preseason games for the Rams so far.

In terms of impacting games, outside linebacker Keir Thomas is the only Rams defender who is arguably making a bigger impact for the Rams, as he has eight tackles, 2.5 quarterback sacks, three tackles for a loss, and three quarterback hits.

It's far too easy to be distracted by the final scores of preseason games. And it's far too common for fans to see bad plays and simply generalize that the entire team is 'trash,' or 'garbage,' or 'ugly.' But the truth of the matter is that the Rams are rotating a lot of players on the offensive and defensive side of the football in preseason, and the Rams are giving no snaps to veteran starters.

Slow and steady wins the race

The LA Rams continue to take a unique approach to preseason games. While many NFL teams tune up starters, and then feature their more prominent backups in preparation for the upcoming NFL season, the Rams focus on the backups and bubble players to afford them the opportunity to elevate their standing on the team's depth chart, or perhaps attract interest from other NFL teams when the Rams are forced to pare the roster to the 53-man limit for the 2023 NFL season.

The key to the Rams roster this season is the understanding that the Rams will play their best 53 players in the 2023 NFL season, and two dozen or more of those players are not even seeing the football field in preseason games.

Jake Hummel is one of the Rams young players to keep on your radar screen. His preseason performance has been impressive so far, and the Rams have one more game to go. Will he earn a spot on the initial Rams 53-man roster?

I think that he has an excellent shot of doing so. But even at this point in the season, nothing is certain. So stay tuned, and keep the fridge stocked full with your favorite cold beverages