Rams show the door to several fan favorites in latest 53-man roster prediction

The challenge with an ever-improving Rams roster is that better and better players will be relaased to shave the team down to the 53-man limit.
Los Angeles Rams OTA Offseason Workout HC Sean McVay
Los Angeles Rams OTA Offseason Workout HC Sean McVay | Ric Tapia/GettyImages
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Offense (26)

Quarterback (3) - Matthew Stafford | Jimmy Garoppolo | Stetson Bennett

Who doesn't make the 53-man Rams roster: Dresser Winn

This one will come as no surprise. QB Dresser Winn signed on as a willing 2025 camp arm to help the team through drills, and to aid in managing the preseason workload that otherwise falls entirely on the shoulders of backup quarterback Stetson Bennett

Wide Receivers (6) - Puka Nacua | Davante Adams | Tutu Atwell | Jordan Whittington | Konata Mumpfield | Xavier Smith

Who doesn't make the 53-man Rams roster: Drake Stoops, Mario Williams, Brennan Pressley, Tru Edwards

This depth chart is not as controversial as some positions that we will address soon. The two new additions to the team at the wide receiver position are veteran Davante Adams and rookie Konata Mumpfield. Both will surely make the 2025 Rams roster. While veteran Britain Covey is a wide receiver, he makes the team as a punt and kickoff returner.

The biggest question mark surrounding wide receivers is whether or not veteran WR Xavier Smith and sneak onto the roster. Right now, I think his speed and demonstrated 2024 catch rate give him the inside track. But keep Brennan Jackson on your radar too. There will be fierce competition among wide receivers for a chance to make the team this season.

Running Backs (3) - Kyren Williams | Blake Corum | Jarquez Hunter

Who doesn't make the 53-man Rams roster: Cody Schrader, Ronnie Rivers, Jordan Waters

The first position that sheds team favorites is the running back position. I was stupefied at the team's decision to carry four running backs in 2024 when the team never deployed more than one rusher for any given offensive snap. In 2025, the team simply has too much talent in Kyren Williams, Blake Corum, and Jarquez Hunter. That means that fan favorite Ronnie Rivers will be shown the door.

The Rams will try to sneak both Rivers and Cody Schrader to the practice squad, but I'm not convinced that either will clear waivers. The truth is that many fans insist that this team must draft a running back every year. But adding one more player in the draft inevitably leads to one more running back being cut as the team pivots from preseason to the new regular season.

Tight ends (3) - Tyler Higbee | Colby Parkinson | Terrance Ferguson

Who doesn't make the 53-man Rams roster: Davis Allen, Anthony Torres, Mark Redman

While the team has shared the preseason rhetoric that suggests that 12-personnel sub-packages are gaining popularity once more, the team is unlike to carry four tight ends in 2025. The extra tight end on the roster in 2024 was simply insurance to allow veteran TE Tyler Higbee time to heal from a devastating ACL injury suffered in the postseason.

With fewer spots on the roster, the Rams will have to release another fan favorite in veteran TE Davis Allen. Allen is nearly at the same level as Colby Parkinson and is much less expensive. That could make competition in the offseason more fierce than expected.

Offensive Linemen (11/12)- DJ Humphries | Alaric Jackson (IR) | Steve Avila | Justin Dedich | Coleman Shelton | Beaux Limmer | Kevin Dotson | Willie Lampkin | Rob Havenstein| Warren McClendon Jr. | David Quessenberry | KT Leveston

Who doesn't make the 53-man Rams roster: Dylan McMahon, AJ Arcuri, Trey Wedig, Wyatt Bowles, Ben Dooley

I expect the team to see a huge spike in the number of offensive linemen initially carried by the team to start the 2025 NFL season, and for good reasons. Starting left tackle Alaric Jackson will almost certainly start the season on IR/NFI. And veteran right tackle Rob Havenstein will need additional backup support despite the fact that his offseason medical procedures performed during the offseason cleaned up his shoulders.

But even with the team carrying 11 offensive linemen (and 12 if you factor in Alaric Jackson on IR), some promising and popular offensive linemen will be released. The Rams will part ways with rookies Wyatt Bowles, Ben Dooley, and veteran OT AJ Arcuri. The team will also reluctantly part ways with talente IOL Dylan McMahon and rookie OT Trey Weddig. I suspect the team will re-sign multiple offensive linemen to the practice squad, if they clear waivers.