The Rams' biggest winner from the 2025 preseason couldn't be more open-and-shut

The Los Angeles Rams entered the 2025 NFL preseason with a huge number of players vying for limited roster spots. While fans knew this would be a challenging season to make the team's roster, the number of talented additions made it almost impossible to predict who might succeed. Even last year's starters were pushed to the limit in competition this year.

One of the fiercest position battles lined up at running back. Even as the front office agreed to extend feature running back Kyren Williams, talented players massed behind him, all vying for reps, snaps, and carries. But one player emerged from preseason with a clear advantage over all others. RB Cody Schrader did not win a running back competition because he rushed faster, stronger, or more elusively. He rose through the ranks because he was the most versatile.

After just two preseason games, he was one of the NFL's leaders in rushing yards (107), yards from scrimmage (140), and all-purpose yards (235). That follows a rookie season in which Schrager rushed once for six yards and caught one pass for three yards. Now, he's a one-stop NFL offense superstore.

Why Rams RB Cody Schrader is the clear preseason winner

The fanbase certainly faced no shortage of players to tune in to see perform throughout training camp and the preseason. Whether it was a handful of free agent additions, a six-pack of drafted rookies, or a busload of collegiate free agents signed after the draft, the front office continued its course of adding players who addressed the team's needs and the culture.

Through it all, veteran running back Cody Schrader was lost in the shuffle. A player who was claimed off the San Francisco 49ers waiver wire in 2024, he did next to nothing all season. He showed up in a cameo role in the last game of the season, as a backup to a backup of a backup, and touched the football twice.

But he was never intended to be an instant fix to a running back room that was already stockpiled with RBs Kyren Williams, Blake Corum, and Ronnie Rivers. He was an investment into the overall roster, a future role on offense, and a means of adding offensive talent at no cost.

The Rams fanbase is rather astute when it comes to sizing up the potential of players. But even among discussions in chat rooms and forums, few indicated that Schrader would be the breakout candidate that he now appears to be.

It's been a long training camp and preseason. But Cody Schrader has forced the coaching staff to think long and hard about keeping four running backs on the team. He's done it all for the offense and special teams. The secret to making an NFL team is not always being the best, but giving coaches the most options. His versatility certainly has provided that. As always, thanks for reading.

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