We knew it would be tough to make this year’s roster for the Los Angeles Rams. It’s exciting that football is back. We still cannot overstate the importance of the preseason nor pretend that most of the roster is in flux. While there may be a dozen standouts over the next week, only a small handful will actually be in consideration to make the team.
Sean McVay’s decisions on who played last Saturday versus who sat out was the most impactful data point from the first game. What happened on the field is largely unimportant in terms of the majority of players who will make the team.
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Thursday brings a joint practice session against the New Orleans Saints, and then LA will closeout the preseason with two more exhibition contests. There may only be four outstanding roster battles that could be decided by standout performances.
1 – Backup quarterback
The job is Stetson Bennett’s until it isn’t. Simpson has the advantage of long-term security and draft position, but it’s not worth keeping Bennett around if the rookie is already the better player. A real bounce back from Bennett either in the joint practice or Saturday’s preseason game could breathe new life into his status on the roster.
As I predicted months ago, Bennett is expendable if Simpson proves his chops.
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2 – Offensive tackle
Alaric Jackson’s possible suspension and the recent injury to rookie Keagen Trost could create an opportunity for someone else to win a job.
Through one week that someone else seems to be Austin Blaske—who led the offense in PFF grades against the Chiefs. Even if Blaske makes the roster, he should still slot in behind David Quessenberry and AJ Arcuri. Neither played in the preseason opener, which signals they are safe on the 53-man.
But Blaske could be an interesting dark horse that no one saw coming. We know who Quessenberry is. Arcuri hasn’t inspired confidence despite developing behind the scenes for years. Blaske joined the Rams and was immediately considered the best player on the field. There may be something there.
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3 – Punt returner
Are the Rams really going to deploy Xavier Smith as the punt returner again in 2026? It would be a tough pill for most fans to swallow after watching Smith gift the Seahawks a touchdown in the NFC Championship game on a muffed punt.
Why not explore alternatives like either of Brennan Presley or Dean Connors? Both are as athletic and shifty as Smith. Two games is plenty of runway to assess whether they are competent.
We know who Smith is. It’s time to look in another direction.
4 – Running back
There really is no telling whether Ronnie Rivers is safe or not. He didn’t play against the Chiefs. The Rams have seen enough of him over the years in the preseason. Additional reps just takeaway from younger players without the opportunity to glean new information.
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Things are trending downwards for last year’s draft point Jarquez Hunter. He has no big plays on his resume and the coaching staff seems to not trust him.
Though Dean Connors did not get an opportunity until late in Saturday’s game, he has already put more on film than Hunter ever has. The rookie UDFA caught two touchdowns from Ty Simpson. Connors brings a unique skillset to a running back room that can feel too similar at times.
The Rams should consider keeping Connors over Hunter. This would have been a shocking outcome even as soon as a couple weeks ago.
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