Rams preseason will decide the few remaining spots on 53-man roster

Los Angeles Rams fans have extra incentive to watch the preseason every year. While curiosity is always the top lure, fans get key elements of information that trumps any speculative report. The Rams won't play starters in the preseason. In fact, head coach Sean McVay will not field primary backups or rotation players, either.

And so, we can reliably surmise that players who do not suit up and participate have made the team. That defines nearly the entire 53-man roster long before cuts are announced. It also gives immediate feedback to fans regarding the status of training-camp favorites.

Of course, you needn't wait for preseason games to know that starters will sit. But in drafting the 53-man unit, the slots fill up quickly. Players on the bubble will spend the preseason scrambling to ink their names among the few remaining spots.

Rams' active roster is nearly set as preseason rolls in

Many training-camp battles continue into the preseason. But for the most part, all starting and rotation roles are decided. Keep in mind that this first-pass depth chart is not a projection. But it does allow fans to interpret players' appearances in preseason games in the context of roster placement.

Offense (25)

QB (3) -Matthew Stafford, Stetson Bennett, Ty Simpson
WR (6) - Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, Konata Mumpfield, Jordan Whittington, CJ Daniels, Xavier Smith
TE (4) - Colby Parkinson, Tyler Higbee, Terrance Ferguson, Max Klare
RB (3) - Kyren Williams, Blake Corum, Jarquez Hunter
OL (9) - Alaric Jackson, Steve Avila, Coleman Shelton, Kevin Dotson, Warren McClendon, David Quessenberry, Keagen Trost, Justin Dedich, Beaux Limmer

While fans can feel confident in the quarterback position, the remainder of the offense has nuances at every position. If Alaric Jackson is suspended to start the season, or if Justin Dedich remains on Injured Reserve, the team would likely add AJ Arcuri and/or Dylan McMahon to this list. Keep Wyatt Bowles on your radar.

TE Davis Allen, RB Ronnie Rivers, and WR Brennan Pressley are all in play for a roster spot. But they will need great preseason performances and a bit of luck to sneak into one.

Defense (25)

DL (7) - Kobie Turner, Poona Ford, Braden Fiske, Tyler Davis, Tim Keenan III, Ty Hamilton, Bill Norton
OLB (4) - Myles Garrett, Byron Young, Josaiah Stewart, Desjuan Johnson
ILB (4) - Nate Landman, Omar Speights, Shaun Dolac Grant Stuard
CB (4) - Jaylen Watson, Trent McDuffie, Emmanuel Forbes, Cam Lampkin
S (4) - Kam Curl, Kamren Kinchens, Jaylen McCollough, Nate Varcarcel
Nickel back (2) - Quentin Lake, Zech McPhearson

Defense is where the real roster drama will fall. Can the coaching staff pare down 17 defensive backs to 10 roster spots? They will have to. And that means competition will be fierce. Meanwhile, the defensive front must settle the dispute among 11 players down to no more than seven roster spots. Hmm.

But edge rushers can prove to be the wild card. Both veteran Tomon Fox and rookie Wesley Bailey could steal a roster spot.

Special teams (3)

LS (1) - Joe Cardona
K (1) - Harrison Mevis
P (1) - Ethan Evans

Even special teams have some drama. It was tough to resist listing a return specialist in this section, as well as multiple veteran additions whose roles appear to favor special teams over defense. But to keep this presentation comparable to previous seasons, those candidates - Stuard, Dolac, and Smith, for example - were not listed here.

The Rams are on the cusp of the 2026 preseason. For fans, that means some actual football (sort of). But for players on the bubble, it means time is running out to make a lasting impression in their bids to make the team.

And as always, thanks for reading.

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