The Los Angeles Rams open training camp on July 28 at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, California. The Rams enter 2020 looking to bounce back after missing the playoffs last year for the first time in the Sean McVay era. They'll also enter a new stadium with a team that has seen quite a few changes since falling to the Patriots in Super Bowl LII two years ago. How will those changes effect L.A.? Here's a 53-man roster projection:
QUARTERBACKS (2): Jared Goff, John Wolford
Goff earned a $21 million payday this offseason when his 2020 roster bonus became fully guaranteed, plus he'll collect another $73 million over the next three years as other bonuses also became guaranteed. But enough about Goff's bank account, because the real issue is who will back up the fifth-year quarterback. Wolford spent last season on the practice squad, but McVay expressed confidence that he can step into the role. An undrafted free agent from Wake Forest in 2018, Wolford completed 57% of his 44 pass attempts in four preseason games last year.
RUNNING BACKS (3): Cam Akers, Darrell Henderson Jr., Malcolm Brown
The running back competition will be among the most intriguing at training camp as Akers, Henderson and Brown compete for the starting job. Brown is a sixth-year veteran, but the Rams recently invested early draft picks in Akers and Henderson. Akers is known to be a between-the-tackles runner, while Henderson demonstrated his ability to bounce to the edge last season.
RECEIVERS (6): Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, Josh Reynolds, Van Jefferson, Nsimba Webster, Greg Dortch
A role player the last three seasons, Reynolds is expected to step into Brandin Cooks' spot after the Rams traded the speedy receiver to the Houston Texans in the offseason. Woods and Kupp -- who is entering the final season of his four-year contract -- provide consistency and Jefferson, a second-round pick from Florida, will compete for time immediately.
TIGHT ENDS (4): Tyler Higbee, Gerald Everett, Brycen Hopkins, Johnny Mundt
Higbee was outstanding in the final month of 2019, as he accumulated 522 receiving yards over a five-game span. His breakthrough could cause a shift in McVay's offensive scheme as the Rams plan to utilize more two-tight end sets this season.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (8): Andrew Whitworth, David Edwards, Austin Blythe, Bobby Evans, Rob Havenstein, Austin Corbett, Joe Noteboom, Brian Allen
Whitworth returns for his 15th season on a new three-year, $30 million contract. The line experienced injuries and growing pains last season, which could play to its benefit in 2020. The biggest question is how the lineup will pan out. Havenstein played below expectations last season before a knee injury sidelined him. He will compete with Evans for the right tackle spot.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (6): Aaron Donald, Michael Brockers, Sebastian Joseph-Day, A'Shawn Robinson, Morgan Fox, Greg Gaines
The Rams caught a huge break when Brockers' free-agent deal with the Baltimore Ravens fell through, prompting his return to the Rams on a three-year, $24 million deal. Donald remains adamant about the importance of Brockers' production, though his numbers don't really pop on the stat sheet. Robinson is a newcomer to the group and is expected to provide depth with Joseph-Day at tackle.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS (6): Samson Ebukam, Leonard Floyd, Terrell Lewis, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Natrez Patrick, Jachai Polite
Two starting spots are open following the departures of Dante Fowler Jr. and Clay Matthews. Ebukam started in 2018 before playing behind Matthews last season. Floyd, who signed a one-year, $10 million contract this offseason, and Lewis also are expected to compete for a starting spot. A first-round pick in 2016, Floyd will have the edge because of his experience with defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, who coached him for two seasons with the Chicago Bears.
INSIDE LINEBACKERS (5): Micah Kiser, Kenny Young, Travin Howard, Troy Reeder, Clay Johnston
After Cory Littleton's departure in free agency, Rams general manager Les Snead acknowledged that the inside linebacking corps would consist of young, inexperienced players who would need to step up. Kiser returns after spending last season on injured reserve and Young is expected to benefit from an entire offseason with the team.
CORNERBACKS (5): Jalen Ramsey, Troy Hill, Darious Williams, David Long, Donte Deayon
Ramsey teased during the offseason program that his role will expand from cornerback to more of an all-around secondary presence. Hill was expected to play opposite of Ramsey, however, with nickelback Nickell Robey-Coleman's release, Hill could fill the slot corner role and Williams, who produced late last season, could earn a starting job.
SAFETIES (5): John Johnson III, Taylor Rapp, Nick Scott, Terrell Burgess, Jordan Fuller
Johnson is entering the final season of his rookie contract and returns from injured reserve as this position group's leader. Rapp will take over at free safety for the retired Eric Weddle.
SPECIALISTS (3): K Austin MacGinnis, P Johnny Hekker, LS Jake McQuaide
Greg Zuerlein, Hekker and McQuaide played eight seasons together, but the trio disbanded this offseason when Zuerlein departed for the Dallas Cowboys in free agency. MacGinnis last played in the XFL and will compete with Lirim Hajrullahu, who joins the Rams from the CFL, and Sam Sloman, a seventh-round pick from Miami-Ohio, for the starting kicker spot.