The Los Angeles Rams have been in training camp for over a week now, and there are plenty of storylines brewing. Puka Nacua has changed agencies as he looks for a new deal, rookies are shining, and above all else, Aaron Donald’s future looms.

But before things really get going, let’s take a look back at what we learned from Week 1 of Rams camp, using our friend Grok to help project.

Los Angeles Rams projected 53-man roster and starting lineup after the first week/eight practices of 2026 training camp

Roster decisions remain fluid with one practice block left, preseason games, and potential developments (e.g., Aaron Donald unretirement rumors, soft-tissue recoveries).

Projected 53-Man Roster

Quarterback (3) Matthew Stafford, Stetson Bennett, Ty Simpson Bennett has the clear edge as QB2 after strong camp reviews and taking all second-team 11-on-11 reps in recent practices; Simpson (first-rounder) is developing but trails. Three QBs is the likely initial path.

Running Back (4) Kyren Williams, Blake Corum, Ronnie Rivers, Jarquez Hunter Williams and Corum are the clear 1-2. Rivers/Hunter compete for RB3/special teams value; both projected to stick.

Wide Receiver (6) Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, Jordan Whittington, Konata Mumpfield, Xavier Smith, CJ Daniels Daniels has been a camp standout and is pushing for more involvement (SI projection had him in a 5-WR group and left Smith out). Whittington/Mumpfield/Smith have secured roles so far.

Tight End (5) Colby Parkinson, Tyler Higbee, Terrance Ferguson, Davis Allen, Max Klare Rams lean heavily on 13 personnel. Allen has a quad soft-tissue injury (week-to-week; not expected to start the season on IR). Ferguson continues to develop as a versatile piece.

Offensive Line (9) LT Alaric Jackson, LG Steve Avila, C Coleman Shelton, RG Kevin Dotson, RT Warren McClendon Jr., OT David Quessenberry, G/C Beaux Limmer, G/C Justin Dedich, G/T Keagen Trost Starters are locked. Dedich (hand injury, previously on NFI) is expected back; depth is a watch area.

Defensive Line (6) DT Kobie Turner, NT Poona Ford, DL Tyler Davis, DE Braden Fiske, NT Tim Keenan III, DL Ty Hamilton Top four are secure. Keenan/Hamilton compete for the final spots. Aaron Donald return rumors could force a cut here later.

Outside Linebacker / Edge (4) Myles Garrett, Byron Young, Josaiah Stewart, Desjuan Johnson Garrett (lower-body soreness, multiple practices missed but expected back) and Young are the anchors. Stewart and Johnson fill out the group.

Inside Linebacker (4) Nate Landman, Omar Speights, Shaun Dolac, Grant Stuard Landman and Speights lead. Dolac/Stuard are primarily special-teams contributors.

Cornerback (5) Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson, Emmanuel Forbes Jr., Josh Wallace, Cam Lampkin McDuffie and Watson are the starters. Lampkin has been a camp bright spot with multiple plays and is the projected fifth CB in both major projections.

Safety (4) Quentin Lake, Kam Curl, Kamren Kinchens, Jaylen McCollough Deep, versatile group (Lake often in the slot; Curl/Kinchens interchangeable). SI projection floated a possible fifth (Tanner Ingle).

Special Teams (3) K Harrison Mevis, P Ethan Evans, LS Joe Cardona

Total: 53 Notable near-misses/camp bodies often projected for practice squad include players like certain undrafted WRs (e.g., Tyler Scott, Mario Williams), extra OL, and depth DBs/LBs. Injuries (Allen, Garrett management, Dedich, any Jackson availability questions) and preseason performance will drive final cuts.

Projected Starting Lineup

Offense (11)

• QB: Matthew Stafford
• RB: Kyren Williams
• WR: Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, Jordan Whittington (or CJ Daniels in some packages; Whittington has the early edge in many projections)
• TE: Colby Parkinson or Terrance Ferguson (Higbee also heavily involved; Rams frequently use multiple TEs)
• OL: LT Alaric Jackson, LG Steve Avila, C Coleman Shelton, RG Kevin Dotson, RT Warren McClendon Jr.

Defense (11, base)

• DL: Kobie Turner, Poona Ford, Braden Fiske (with Tyler Davis rotating)
• Edge/OLB: Myles Garrett, Byron Young
• ILB: Nate Landman, Omar Speights
• CB: Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson
• S: Quentin Lake, Kam Curl (Kinchens rotates heavily)

Special Teams notes: Mevis (K), Evans (P), Cardona (LS). Return duties often involve Xavier Smith/Kyren Williams (punt) and various options on kickoffs.

This reflects the early-camp picture: strong veteran core (Stafford, Adams, Nacua, Williams, Garrett, McDuffie, etc.), promising young contributors (Daniels, Ferguson, Stewart, Lampkin, Simpson development), and typical Rams depth emphasis on TE/OL/DL. Expect adjustments after the final LMU practices, joint work, and preseason games. Sources note limited major movement at the top of the depth chart so far.