If you are following the LA Rams preseason, you have three things that you may have already noticed. The Rams defense is not fielding any starters, or even some key rotational backup players, and yet the team is enjoying a stingy and swarming defense. While that may not mean much if this was about a team playing starters in the preseason, this Rams defense has yet to put any starters onto the football field.
Another aspect of this team that you have likely noticed is the robust ability of the team to churn out rushing yards on the ground. Despite the team benching RBs Kyren Williams, rookie Blake Corum, and Ronnie Rivers, the Rams have consistently managed to run effectively. Per footballdb.com, the Rams boast two of the NFL's top seven running backs in rushing yards in two preseason games.
You can thank the incredible performance from the backup offensive linemen on the Rams roster. Led by outstanding rookie center Beaux Limmer, this offensive line has been impressive not just in opening running lanes, but in putting up pristine pockets for quarterback Stetson Bennett. Wile Bennett has yet to get his arms around turning the football over this preseason, it's his gunslinger mentality that has snatched victories out of the jaws of defeat in both preseason games.
Bennett has completed 41 of 69 passes for 437 yards, two touchdowns, and five interceptions. He threw his first game-winning touchdown to TE Miller Forristall to win Game 1 of the preseason against the Dallas Cowboys. He threw his second game-winning touchdown to WR JJ Laap to win Game 2 of the preseason against the Los Angeles Chargers.
But his favorite targets so far in preseason have been rookie WR Jordan Whittington, who has caught 11 passes for 126 yards. He also has connected frequently with second-year WR Xavier Smith, who has hauled in nine passes for 67 yards.
But keep in mind that the team has held 35+ players out of preseason games already. So the players who are excelling in preseason are all vying for 18 or fewer remaining open slots on the initial 53-man Rams roster.
Texans are an ideal test for Rams to close out the preseason
The LA Rams are among several NFL teams hoping to ride the wave of success from 2023 into even more success in 2024. But so far, many NFL analysts simply are not seeing the Rams among the top NFL teams. But there is no shortage of bandwagon support among NFL analysts who support the Houston Texans chances for the 2025 NFL Playoffs.
Which gives Game 3 a new and intriguing storyline. Both the Rams and the Texans enter the game with two-game winning streaks. While only preseason, both teams have been winning with stifling defenses and just enough offensive power to win. The thing is, which defense will emerge the victor in this one.
At first glance, you may view the Rams as the more vulnerable offense, with quarterback Stetson Bennett under center. After all, he has turned the football over six times. So far he has thrown five interceptions, and fumbled the football once. But he has also thrown for the most passing yards in two preseason games, and tossed two game-winning touchdowns to boot.
The Texans will likely give much of the work to QB Case Keenum, who has tossed 19 of 28 passes for 191 yards and two touchdowns. He has not thrown an interception to date. Curiously, the Rams have opted not to play either Matthew Stafford or Jimmy Garoppolo in the preseason. The Texans have not hesitated to give their starting QB CJ Stroud preseason work. While unlikely to face the Rams in their Game 4, he has thrown 9 of 13 passes for 129 yards and one touchdown so far in preseason.
It could be their differing views on preseason work for starters that gave Coach Ryans and Coach McVay plenty to discuss as they met on the field for the start of their joint practice today.
However you view the preseason, whether it's a good way to knock off the rust of players or simply an audition stage for players who are unlikely to make the roster, one thing is clear. Both the Texans and the Rams have gotten quality performances out of players in their preseason so far.
So who may have already gotten their names penciled onto the initial Rams roster? Here are seven players whose preseason games suggest that a roster spot awaits them:
(7) - C Beaux Limmer
The LA Rams certainly have to be cautious about the depth of the offensive line to open the season. Three of the five starters have been waylaid by minor injuries that have persisted for some time. The Rams have designated offensive tackle Alaric Jackson (ankle), offensive guard Jonah Jackson (shoulder), and offensive tackle Rob Havenstein (ankle/foot) as week-to-week. We are just hours away from Game 3 of the 2024 NFL preseason, and the only offensive lineman who appears to be making progress is left guard Jonah Jackson.
Of course, you want to see all five starting offensive linemen healthy and getting reps together in the team's final joint practice and scrimmage with the Houston Texans, but of the five, you have to believe that both Alaric Jackson and Rob Havenstein, being the two starters with the most experience on the team, will have the least amount of 'catching up,' to do once they get healthy.
But in the meantime, the team has been mixing and matching the vacated offensive line roles to ensure the best five are getting the lion's share of quality reps. In addition to starting center Steve Avila and guard Kevin Dotson, the team has given the nod to Zach Thomas at left guard, and Warren McClendon and Joe Noteboom at the tackles spots.
But recently, the team has also been giving rookie center Beaux Limmer some work with the 1s. And I am here for it. Limmer is one of several better-than-expected offensive linemen who could force the team to carry 10 offensive linemen on the initial 53-man roster. He has been outstanding in preseason games so far. And if he does manage to earn a starting role, and persuade the team to slide Steve Avila back to left guard, he could help Rams fans to forget the 2021 NFL Draft gaffe.
Limmer is a starting caliber NFL center. Whether or not he is elevated to start for this team remains to be seen. For now, he will make the roster. The rest is up to the future.
(6) - DB Jaylen McCollough
With the name of the game being creating turnovers this season, young defensive back Jaylen McCollough has certainly proven that he has gotten the memo. He is the only Rams defensive back to pick off a pass this preseason and has played pretty solid pass coverage when he is not snatching a forward pass out of mid-air.
He has been solid in being in the right place at the right time as well.
The Rams are loaded at the safety position, with Kamren Curl, Kamren Kinchens, John Johnson III, and even Jason Taylor II with the inside track at the four slots. But McCollough may have done enough to pry the fourth roster slot from Taylor. And if he hasn't done that, he has at least persuaded the team do consider carrying five safeties on the roster.
(5) - WR JJ Laap
The Rams wide receiver group is just too deep and talented it seems. No matter how you hold this group up to the light, there is always that additional player who has made a strong case for remaining on the Rams roster. In Week 2, that player was undrafted rookie JJ Laap, who caught both passes thrown his way for 50 yards and a touchdown.
The Rams coaching staff is always keeping an eye out for players who seize their moment. And for young WR JJ Laap, he did everything asked of him in Game 2, He certainly caused the coaches to sit up and take notice, and the praise from his position coach, Eric Yarber was spontaneous and authentic.
While Laap may miss out on the initial 53-man roster, he will be re-signed to the practice squad, and could be elevated on game day this season. This team may have a full receiver room at the moment, but you can bet that JJ Laap's performance in Game 2 makes them wish it wasn't.
(4) - OLB Nick Hampton
Appalachian State outside linebacker Nick Hampton may be entering his second NFL season, but he is already attracting plenty of praise for the way he has arrived to compete in 2024. And it's not just originating from coaches and beat reporters. CBS Sports NFL analyst Chris Trapasso named Hampton as one of his five 'Out of Nowhere,' prospects for the 2024 NFL season.
And he is not alone.
Throughout his 2023 NFL Draft profile, Nick Hampton was praised for his instincts, football IQ, ferocity, and ability to be in the right place to make the play. But the unanimous weakness cited by those same draft profiles was his limited strength, power, and durability that Hampton was bringing to the NFL. Well don't look now, but Nick Hampton has muscled up. He has grown from 236 pounds in 2023 to 247 pounds in 2024. And it's all muscle.
That upgrade is muscle mass is the reason why he has leveled up this season. Already showing up in preseason, it appears that a roster slot is his to lose right now. And he won't lose it.
(3) DT Carlos Watkins
While he has not been on the scene for very long, recently signed defensive tackle Carlos Watkins certainly has taken the old adage 'put your best foot forward,' to heart. In his first and only preseason game for the LA Rams, he put up two tackles, one quarterback sack, and forced a fumble. That was all from just 28 defensive snaps in the game.
And that is after he signed with the team just days earlier:
Watkins is 6-foot-3 and 305 pounds, and is powerful enough to slide all over the team's defensive front. He was added to the roster after Larrell Murchison suffered an injury. Curiously, he shows no signs of just showing up for a paycheck to close out the preseason with the team and move on. He is showing up with a fiercely competitive spirit that was center stage against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Rams have several young defensive linemen vying for a roster spot. Carlos Watkins is one of the few veterans at the postiion competing in preseason games. But he showed why veterans can be a more consistent contributor on the roster. As such, he may be closer to making the team than his release.
(2) - WR Xavier Smith
It seems unfathomable that some believe that WR Xavier Smith may not make the team. After all, he is a second-year wide receiver who is catching nine of ten passes for 67 yards in preseason. That feat confirms all of the training camp reports claiming that he was catching anything thrown near him. And so he has.
But it's more than his magnetic ability to draw passes from the hands of his quarterback into his own hands. He has that certain 'it' factor on special team, and it's obvious in my gut whenever he touches the football that I would not be shocked to see him take it to the house for a punt or kickoff return for a touchdown.
That is the type of playmaker this team needs.
Even if he is not 'that,' guy, and must play as the understudy for WR Tutu Atwll in the role, that is okay with me. If Atwell is injured, which is entirely possible if Atwell's role in increased, then Smith is right their to slide into the role and take over. But even if Atwell remains healthy, and I hope that he does, Smith is his backup, ready to take over in 2025.
Xavier Smith has shown remarkable growth in 2024. He has earned the right to develop even further with the team.
(1) - ILB Omar Speights
The last players to make the roster must not only bring positional value to either the offense or defense, but they must bring value to special teams. Well, former LSU rookie inside linebacker Omar Speights is checking both of those boxes. And if you believe the words of HC Sean McVay, he is certainly making the most of his preseason snaps:
Preseason is about experimenting, learning about a player's and the game's limits. But Omar Speights has been showing up in nearly flawless performances. Whether he is showing up on special teams or on defense, he as been where he need to be to make the play, and then delivers wrecking ball tackles.
He gives the team a solid and worthwhile option over sticking to the same old complement of inside linebackers. While there is a place for veteran leadership, that role is already filled by starting ILB Ernest Jones. Omar Speights may be a rookie, but he shows up in games with a confident, well-prepared perspective that allows him to read and react to the play as it unfolds.
The Rams need him on the roster, and I think he makes it.
