THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Rams open the 2021 NFL regular season against the Chicago Bears on Sept. 12 at SoFi Stadium. The Rams went 10-6 last season, finishing second in the NFC West and losing to the Green Bay Packers in the divisional round.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford, who the Rams completed a blockbuster offseason trade to acquire, is expected to reignite coach Sean McVay's high-octane offense, which returns standout receivers Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp, plus added a speedy weapon in veteran DeSean Jackson. On the opposite side of the ball, defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, a 19-year NFL coaching veteran, takes over the defending top-ranked defense anchored by three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald and All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
The roster will be cut to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Here is a projection:
QUARTERBACK (2): Matthew Stafford, John Wolford
The Rams traded quarterback Jared Goff for Stafford with the hope that the 13th-year pro will be the missing piece to push them to a Super Bowl victory. The one-time Pro Bowl selection has impressed teammates throughout training camp with his ability to throw receivers open and complete no-look passes.
RUNNING BACK (4): Darrell Henderson Jr., Sony Michel, Xavier Jones, Jake Funk
A serious blow was dealt to the backfield before training camp opened when projected starter Cam Akers tore his right Achilles tendon while working out. That thrust third-year pro Henderson, a change-of pace back who has struggled to remain healthy over two seasons, into the starting role and left no experienced backups. That situation prompted the Rams to trade for Michel, a former first-round pick playing on an expiring rookie contract who can provide a 1-2 punch with Henderson.
RECEIVER (6): Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, DeSean Jackson, Van Jefferson, Tutu Atwell, Trishton Jackson
DeSean Jackson is the deep threat for the Rams in 2020, but he's also 34 years old and coming off two injury-plagued seasons. The training staff has deployed a specific practice regimen in attempt to keep Jackson healthy and sprinting downfield throughout the season. Watch for second-year pro Jefferson to see a dramatic increase in targets and for Atwell, a rookie second-round pick, to spend the season on special teams.
TIGHT END (4): Tyler Higbee, Johnny Mundt, Jacob Harris, Brycen Hopkins
A sixth-year pro, Higbee returns as starter and will have a familiar face backing him up in Mundt. An undrafted free agent, Mundt is in his fifth season with the Rams and has proven to coaches that he is ready for the backup role after being the third tight end the last two seasons.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (10): Andrew Whitworth, David Edwards, Brian Allen, Austin Corbett, Rob Havenstein, Joe Noteboom, Bobby Evans, Tremayne Anchrum Jr., Coleman Shelton, Chandler Brewer
Corbett was the starting center and Evans the starting right guard when training camp opened, but after a joint practice with the Cowboys, the offensive line played musical chairs. Allen, the starting center in 2019 before he suffered a season-ending ACL injury, is now at center and Corbett has returned to right guard, where he started last season.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (6): Aaron Donald, Sebastian Joseph-Day, A'Shawn Robinson, Greg Gaines, Bobby Brown III, Earnest Brown IV
Robinson reported to training camp in the best shape of his career with a big role role to fill following the offseason departure of veteran Michael Brockers, while Joseph-Day -- a sixth-round pick in 2018 entering his third season as starter -- is expected to play an increased role after an improved training camp.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER (5): Leonard Floyd, Justin Hollins, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Terrell Lewis, Chris Garrett
A 2020 third-round pick from Alabama, Lewis was plagued early last season because of a knee injury and has dealt with a knee issue once again throughout training camp. It's unclear whether he will remain healthy enough to be a consistent contributor, but the Rams could certainly use him opposite of Floyd, who is coming off a 10.5-sack season.
INSIDE LINEBACKER (4): Kenny Young, Troy Reeder, Ernest Jones, Travin Howard
A third-round pick from South Carolina, Jones flashed throughout training camp and the preseason. It might not be long before the rookie earns significant snaps on defense. Because of his past production when healthy, it would have been difficult to predict at the open of training camp but 2018 fifth-round pick Micah Kiser is the odd-man-out.
CORNERBACK (5): Jalen Ramsey, Darious Williams, David Long Jr., Robert Rochell, Dont'e Deayon
A third-round pick in 2019, Long enters his first season as a starter following Troy Hill's offseason departure. The third-year pro experienced some growing pains during camp, especially when faced against Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb in joint practices, but coaches have expressed confidence in his development.
SAFETY (4): Jordan Fuller, Taylor Rapp, Terrell Burgess, Nick Scott
With John Johnson III no longer on the team, Fuller will take over the duties as the defensive signal-caller as a second-year pro and Rapp, who has started 15 games in two seasons, will return to the starting lineup. Burgess flashed early in training camp and should earn defensive snaps in his second season.
SPECIALIST (3): Corey Bojorquez, Matt Gay, Matthew Orzech
A nine-year run with the Rams comes to an end for four-time All Pro Johnny Hekker, the NFL's highest-paid punter. The Rams signed Bojorquez over the offseason and while coach Sean McVay downplayed the notion of a competition, Hekker entered training camp knowing his job was on the line. A fourth-year pro, Bojorquez played three years in Buffalo and last season ranked first in the NFL, averaging 50.78 yards per punt.