* Quarterback (keeping 3): Sam Bradford, Kellen Clemens, Austin Davis. We'll see if the new regime handles the Thaddeus Lewis scenario better than the last one did. Davis will not clear waivers to the practice squad. If you've watched any Green Bay games this preseason, you know he's already better than Graham Harrell, for instance. And hell, Davis could probably start for Arizona right now.
Cut: Tom Brandstater. As I have no idea where to find out how many games a player has been on the active roster in his career, I can only suspect that Brandstater is not eligible for the practice squad. If he is eligible, I would keep him, believe it or not. The Rams went through 4 QBs last season; it would only be smart to keep 4 on hand if possible. But I'll stick with 3.
* Running back (keeping 4): Steven Jackson, Isaiah Pead, Darryl Richardson, Chase Reynolds. So, there's a surprise already. Reynolds has looked good to me on special teams, which is the main thing that can help him survive the bubble. And he can actually play a position, unlike Dominique Curry the past couple of seasons.
Practice squad: Calvin Middleton.
Cut: Nick Schwieger.
* Fullback (keeping 1): Brit Miller. Miller should make the team for his special teams play even if he's beaten out at fullback. I've never been impressed with him at fullback, but haven't seen anyone stepping up and beating him out, either.
Cut: Ovie Mughelli, Todd Anderson, and, sigh, Ben Guidugli, though he might still have an outside chance at the practice squad.
* Wide receiver (keeping 6): Danny Amendola, Brandon Gibson, Brian Quick, Chris Givens, Steve Smith, Greg Salas.
Suspended weeks 1-2: Austin Pettis, who I'm guessing takes Salas' job week 3. But Jeff Fisher has said he likes Salas' special teams play, which opens up a scenario for keeping 7 WR.
Cut: Danario Alexander, Nick Johnson, Mike Campbell, Charles Gilbert, Brandyn Harvey.
* Tight end (keeping 4): Lance Kendricks, Mike Mulligan, Mike McNeill, Mike Hoomanawanui.
Practice squad: DeAngelo Peterson, Corey Harkey.
Suspended weeks 1-4: Brody Eldridge, who I doubt we'll ever hear from again, effective week 5.
Cut: None, but Hoomanawanui would not be a shocker. I don't know that he's done anything in this camp to make the team. Not out of the question for Peterson to beat him out. I have Illini Mike as the last man in.
* Offensive line (keeping 8): The current starters are the easy ones: Rodger Saffold, Quinn Ojinnaka, Scott Wells, Harvey Dahl, Barry Freaking Richardson. Robert Turner's also easy to include. Physical, veteran, backs up guard and center. Rokevious Watkins has versatility and upside and could become a starter yet this season. #8, you need to have a reliable third tackle. Jason Smith is the most reliable tackle they have left, - Ojinnaka's shown the job is too much for him - so the one-time second pick overall makes this year's roster by the skin of his teeth.
Practice squad: Joe Long, Kevin Hughes.
Cut: T-Bob Hebert, Ryan McKee, Tim Barnes, Jose Valdez, Brian Mattison. I'm stumped all summer that Mattison's never taken the starting job away from Ojinnaka. And it's hard to see him taking up a bench spot when he's limited to playing guard.
* Defensive line (keeping 8): Chris Long, Robert Quinn, Eugene Sims, William Hayes, Michael Brockers, Kendall Langford, Matt Conrath, Jermelle Cudjo.
Practice squad: Scott Smith, who should get heavy consideration for a main roster spot. Current d-line injuries could propel him into the top 53, but the Rams also have Justin Cole to spot pass-rush, and he contributes on special teams.
Cut: Trevor Laws, Darell Dorell Scott, Cornell Banks, John Gill, Jamaar Jarrett, Vernon Gholston. Cudjo should win a roster spot at defensive tackle. Darell Dorell's never passed him on the depth chart (and is out for a month now after arthroscopic knee surgery), and Laws hasn't played a down in camp to my knowledge.
* Linebacker (keeping 7): James Laurinaitis, Jo-Lonn Dunbar, Rocky McIntosh, Mario Haggan, Aaron Brown, Josh Hull, Justin Cole
Practice squad: Sammy Brown, consider him a pass-rusher more than a LB
Cut: Noah Keller, Alex Hoffman-Ellis. The Hoff is an excellent athlete, enough so that he's the iffiest of my projected cuts, but he hasn't played a down outside of MLB, where the Rams are about to sign Laurinaitis to a major deal. I don't think the Rams can tie up a practice squad spot grooming a backup Mike 'backer.
* Secondary (keeping 9): Cortland Finnegan, Janoris Jenkins, Bradley Fletcher, Trumaine Johnson, Jerome Murphy, Quintin Mikell, Craig Dahl, Darian Stewart, Rodney McLeod.
Practice squad: Matt Daniels.
Cut: Kendric Burney, Quinton Pointer. Sorry, but they're both awful. If my scenario holds up, Reynolds can thank the Josh Gordy trade for his roster spot. The Rams only kept 8 DBs last year, with four corners, so it's not like they're obliged to keep a bad player just to have ten DBs. However, all the recent injuries at safety may force the Rams to bring in a veteran stopgap, which would probably take Reynolds' spot away.
* Specialists (keeping 3): Greg Zuerlein, Johnny Hekker, Jake McQuaide.
Cut: Garrett Lindholm, Travis Tripucka.
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