Los Angeles Rams way-too-early 53-man roster prediction: Not much has changed, even after the 2026 NFL Draft
The Los Angeles Rams’ decision to not shake the boat via the 2026 NFL Draft keeps a lot of the same from last year’s roster.
The Los Angeles Rams are entering a crucial stage of their Super Bowl window. They can’t afford any roster mistakes on their way to another Lombardi trophy. After an extremely small 2026 NFL Draft class, there likely won’t be much change to their roster from last season.
Who’s in? Who’s out? Here is how I’d project the 53-man roster moving forward.
Note: Players with a single asterisk (*) are 2026 draft picks and players with double asterisks (**) are 2026 undrafted free agents.
Los Angeles Rams Way-Too-Early 53-man roster prediction
Quarterback (3)
IN: Matthew Stafford, Stetson Bennett, Ty Simpson*
OUT: Matthew Caldwell**
The skinny: No real surprises to be had here. Stafford is the unanimous QB1 and will be for years to come. We’ll see who wins the QB2 competition between Simpson and Bennett, but draft capital alone will give Simpson the edge there.
Running back (3)
IN: Kyren Williams, Blake Corum, Jarquez Hunter
OUT: Jordan Waters, Ronnie Rivers, Dean Connors**
The skinny: The Rams rostered three running backs last year, and I’d be surprised if they veered from that. Les Snead’s surprise departure from drafting a running back almost assuredly guarantees Hunter’s spot on the roster.
Wide Receiver (6)
IN: Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, Jordan Whittington, Konata Mumpfield, Xavier Smith, CJ Daniels*
OUT: Tyler Scott, Tru Edwards, Brennan Presley, Mario Williams
The skinny: To no one’s surprise, the top two wide receivers for the Rams are set in stone with Adams and Nacua. Jordan Whittington’s role in the slot and as a blocker and special teamer will keep his spot assured. Since they didn’t draft anyone to fill this role, Mumpfield’s roster spot as the backup to Adams at X feels secure as well.
Currently, the Rams haven’t added competition for kick returner, meaning Xavier Smith’s spot is safe as well. CJ Daniels will have to prove he can play on special teams, something he didn’t do in college, to secure his spot in the rotation.
Tight End (5)
IN: Colby Parkinson, Tyler Higbee, Terrance Ferguson, Davis Allen, Max Klare*
OUT: Mark Redman, Dan Villari**, Rohan Jones**
The skinny: The Rams admitted on draft night that they wanted to roster five tight ends, so I’m holding them to their word here. How the rotation stacks up could be matchup-based case depending on the week. There’s a lot of skill overlap here, but the Rams are committed to the 13-personnel shift.
Offensive Line (9)
IN: Alaric Jackson, Steve Avila, Coleman Shelton, Kevin Dotson, Warren McClendon, David Quessenberry, Keagan Trost*, Justin Dedich, Beaux Limmer
OUT: AJ Arcuri, Wyatt Bowles, Dylan McMahon, Bryce Henderson**, Austin Blaske**, Chad Lindberg**
The skinny: Out goes D.J. Humphries, in comes Keagan Trost. Trost and Dedich’s swing ability allows the Rams to go a little lighter here to go heavier elsewhere. McVay has highlighted David Quessenberry numerous times in the offseason for his swing ability as well. It’s curious that the Rams added multiple UDFA centers, so they could be trying to push Beaux Limmer.
Defensive Tackle (6)
IN: Kobie Turner, Poona Ford, Braden Fiske, Tyler Davis, Ty Hamilton, Larrell Murchison
OUT: Bill Norton, Tim Keenan III*, Payton Zdroik**, Jaxson Moi**, Jalen Logan-Redding**
The skinny: It might be controversial to not have seventh-round pick Tim Keenan III on the opening roster, but I don’t see a spot for him without injury. The Rams only had about 140 snaps of anyone in the A-gap as a “nose” tackle, and those snaps were split between Kobie Turner, Poona Ford, and Tyler Davis. Keenan isn’t beating out any of those three, and he doesn’t have the alignment versatility of Hamilton, Murchison, or Fiske to play end. Unless the Rams roster an unprecedented seven defensive tackles, I think he’s on the outside looking in.
Edge Rusher (5)
IN: Jared Verse, Josaiah Stewart, Byron Young, Desjuan Johnson, Darryl Peterson**
OUT: Keir Thomas, Wesley Bailey**, Eddie Walls III**
The skinny: The starting trio for the Rams is set, and Desjuan Johnson ended 2025 on a high note. Out of the rest of the options, I’m most encouraged by Darryl Peterson to stick around and occupy Nick Hampton’s role on special teams.
Linebacker (4)
IN: Nate Landman, Omar Speights, Grant Stuard, Shaun Dolac
OUT: Elias Neal, Nikhai Hill-Green**
The skinny: The Rams didn’t add a serious linebacker competitor in the draft, meaning this spot won’t change post-draft. Landman and Speights are virtually unopposed as the starters. Stuard will be a special teams’ ace.
Dolac’s spot could be in jeopardy, simply because of injury. He had a major PCL injury in Week 18, and his timeline to recovery could keep him on the outside looking in.
Cornerback (5)
IN: Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson, Emmanuel Forbes, Josh Wallace, Al’Zillion Hamilton**
OUT: Cam Lampkin, Drey Norwood**, Nyzier Fourqurean**, Alex Johnson
The skinny: I was moderately surprised that the Rams elected not to draft a cornerback this year. Evidently, they are comfortable with Forbes as the CB3. Wallace rotated in as the nickel+dime corner in place of Quentin Lake last year and held the fort down. Of the rest of the room, I’m most encouraged by Al’Zillion Hamilton’s film, though the competition isn’t super compelling for that spot.
Safety (4)
IN: Kamren Curl, Quentin Lake, Kamren Kinchens, Jaylen McCollough
OUT: Tanner Ingle, Nate Varcarcel, Nick Andersen**
The skinny: Even after flirting with several safety options pre-draft, the Rams head into the offseason with the same four. Lake will continue to play the nickel spot, while Curl and Kinchens will be the traditional safeties.
Specialists (3)
IN: Joe Cardona (LS), Harrison Mevis (K), Ethan Evans (P)
OUT: N/A
The skinny: One of the Rams’ few free agent signings was long snapper Joe Cardona. They elected not to add any competition to Harrison Mevis or Ethan Evans as well.
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