The Los Angeles Rams open training camp on July 28 at University of California-Irvine in Irvine, California. The Rams finished the 2020 season 10-6 and lost in a divisional playoff game to the Green Bay Packers. The Rams return 18 starters from last season's team as well as fifth-year head coach Sean McVay, who remains the youngest head coach in the NFL at age 35, and offensive coordinator Kevin O'Connell. The Rams hired Raheem Morris as defensive coordinator after Brandon Staley departed to become head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers and they added Joe DeCamillis as special teams coordinator after moving John Bonamego to a senior coaching assistant role.
Here's a 53-man roster projection:
QUARTERBACK (2): Matthew Stafford, John Wolford
The Rams went big to acquire Stafford, trading quarterback Jared Goff, two first-round picks and a third-round pick to the Detroit Lions only two weeks after the 2020 season. Now the Lions' all-time leader in every passing category will try his luck in L.A., where the goal is to not only put up big numbers but also to win his first playoff game in 13 seasons and take the Rams to Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium.
RUNNING BACK (4): Darrell Henderson Jr., Xavier Jones, Jake Funk, Raymond Calais
Cam Akers earned the chance to enter 2021 as the feature back, but instead is expected to spend the season sidelined after he ruptured his Achilles tendon ahead of training camp. Henderson, a third-year pro, will step into the starting role. In a running back committee last season, Henderson rushed for 624 yards and five touchdowns on 138 carries and also caught 16 passes for 159 yards and a touchdown. The Rams will look internally for depth, testing undrafted free agents and late-round picks Jones, Funk, Calais and Otis Anderson. However, they have not entirely ruled out the possibility of signing a veteran free-agent back.
RECEIVER (5): Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, DeSean Jackson, Van Jefferson, Tutu Atwell
Woods and Kupp return for their fifth season in McVay's offense, with Jackson, Jefferson and Atwell competing to fill the third spot. Jackson, who played under offensive coordinator McVay for three seasons in Washington, will provide speed and the deep threat that the Rams lacked last season, while Jefferson remains a polished route runner despite being only a second-year pro. If Jackson remains healthy, a fair question considering he spent the past two seasons slowed or sidelined because of injuries, it could be difficult for Atwell to find time on offense. However, the rookie second-round pick is a frontrunner to return punts.
TIGHT END (4): Tyler Higbee, Brycen Hopkins, Jacob Harris, Johnny Mundt
With Higbee cemented as the starter, Hopkins, Harris and Mundt will compete for time. With other immediate roster needs to address, the Rams made a bold move last year and selected Hopkins in the fourth round with the projection that he could fill a future role. However, Hopkins perhaps has some unexpected competition in Harris, a rookie from Central Florida who played receiver in college but is transitioning to tight end and stood out during the offseason program.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Andrew Whitworth, David Edwards, Austin Corbett, Bobby Evans, Rob Havenstein, Joe Noteboom, Brian Allen, Tremayne Anchrum Jr., Coleman Shelton
The battle is on between Corbett, Allen and Shelton to win the starting role at center following Austin Blythe's departure for Kansas City in free agency. Corbett has started at left and right guard the past two seasons, but his NFL experience at center is limited to the preseason in Cleveland. Allen's health and durability remains a question after he suffered a season-ending knee injury in 2019 after starting nine games at center. Shelton has no NFL experience at the position. If Corbett wins the role, a replacement also must be found to play right guard. Evans is the frontrunner in that situation.
DEFENSIVE LINE (7): Aaron Donald, Sebastian Joseph-Day, A'Shawn Robinson, Greg Gaines, Eric Banks, Bobby Brown III, Earnest Brown IV
Donald and Michael Brockers worked in tandem the past seven seasons, but with Brockers traded to the Lions, three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Donald must engage a new wing man. Robinson is expected to enter camp in the best shape of his six-season career after he dedicated himself to a new workout regimen and diet, with the goal of playing at 305 pounds after spending previous seasons at 330.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER (5): Leonard Floyd, Justin Hollins, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Terrell Lewis, Chris Garrett
Coming off a career-best season that included 10.5 sacks, retaining Floyd was a top priority in free agency. The Rams got the deal done, signing him to a four-year, $64 million contract. Now the question that must be answered is who will hold down the position opposite him following Samson Ebukam's free agency departure. Hollins is a frontrunner, with Okronkwo challenging. Lewis continued to deal with injury issues over the offseason after he was sidelined and slowed his rookie season because of injuries.
INSIDE LINEBACKER (5): Ernest Jones, Micah Kiser, Kenny Young, Travin Howard, Troy Reeder
For several seasons inside linebacker was considered a position of weakness. Not anymore. Kiser, Young and Reeder -- an undrafted free agent who has proven himself after being thrust into starting roles the past two seasons -- all have significant experience. Howard was positioned to earn a starting role entering last season, but suffered a season-ending knee injury in training camp. He's now healthy and had a standout showing during the offseason program. The Rams selected Jones from South Carolina with a third-round pick and he will compete for time.
CORNERBACK (5): Jalen Ramsey, Darious Williams, David Long Jr., Robert Rochell, Dont'e Deayon
Ramsey proved his versatility last season, as the All-Pro played both inside and outside. Expect more of the same this season despite the change in defensive coordinators. Williams is coming off a breakout year that included four interceptions and earned him a first-round tender with a $4.76 million payday. The biggest question for this group is whether Long, a third-year pro, has developed into a starter and can fill a void left by Troy Hill.
SAFETY (4): Taylor Rapp, Jordan Fuller, Terrell Burgess, Nick Scott
The departure of John Johnson III for Cleveland in free agency will be felt throughout the defense given he was the signal caller, but it will be especially noticeable in the secondary. A sixth-round pick, Fuller put together a better-than-expected rookie season with three interceptions and five pass deflections. Rapp, a third-year pro who dealt with injury at the outset of last season, is expected to step in for Johnson. Rapp started 10 games and had two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, during his rookie season.
SPECIALISTS (3): Matt Gay (K), Johnny Hekker (P), Matthew Orzech (LS)
McVay declared during the offseason that Hekker remained the punter despite signing Corey Bojorquez. Hekker, however, is taking no chances and is approaching the job -- which he's held for nine seasons -- like it's up for grabs. There's also an active competition between Orzech and Steven Wirtel to replace long-time long snapper Jake McQuaide, who signed with Dallas in free agency.