Training camp is begging Rams to make obvious roster decision they won't

While the Los Angeles Rams front office acted nimbly and effectively at resetting the roster depth at some thin positions last season, those same shortages no longer threaten the long-term future of the team in 2025. One of the positions that was reinforced in 2024 was the running back position. The Rams claimed RB Cody Schrader off the San Francisco 49ers' waiver wire last season.

But since adding him to the roster, circumstances have changed considerably.

When Schrader was added to the Rams' running back room, the team was aiming for a homogenous group of players with similar stature, weight, and running style. While Schrader was the heaviest running back (by two pounds), he was unremarkable in every other way.

Cody Schrader isn’t helping his case at Rams training camp

If you examine the current Rams running back roster, you see that the team has added two new rookies to the running back room. Rookie RB Jarquez Hunter is road-runner fast and possesses powerful strides that allow him to run through tackles as well.

Meanwhile, undrafted collegiate running back Jordan Waters adds the intrigue of a far larger running back to LA's offense. While that guarantees nothing, it opens the door to his performance, compelling the coaching staff to retain him on the practice squad to develop throughout the season.

The odd man out right now appears to be Schrader. Even before the Rams loaded up the roster, he was the low man on the totem pole as the fourth of four rushers. And in the offseason, Kyren Williams worked on burst and ball security. Blake Corum shed weight to drop from 212 to 206 pounds for added burst.

Even Ronnie Rivers had some carries from 2024 to build on. But in the face of adding two more rookies, it's impossible to see any path for the former Niner to make the 53-man roster. The team gave him one carry last season, and that was only after Corum was injured in Week 18, forcing the team to send Rivers into the game.

If Schrader spent all season preparing for one measly carry, that pretty much says it all.

Training camp is begging the Rams to make an obvious roster decision they won't. Even as the team needs to see the full potential of rookies Hunter and Waters, Schrader remains, getting his share of reps and carries.

But the team won't cut Schrader anytime soon. And this team may not even cut Schrader when it needs to pare down to the 53-player limit. It's time to lean into the homegrown, ascending talent pool and move on from descending players like Schrader.

As always, thanks for reading.

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