LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Rams open the 2023 NFL regular season on the road at Lumen Field to play the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 10. Having spent the previous five seasons with Super Bowl aspirations and raising the Lombardi Trophy on their home field 17 months ago, the Rams enter this campaign without any such expectations.
Having shed most of their big-name players with high-dollar contracts to get under the salary cap, training camp in Irvine, California, will be about figuring out what comes next. With a massive rookie crop, it wouldn't be a shock if the Rams are willing to listen to trade offers for almost any of their veterans to free up playing time and pick up future assets.
Given the need to find talent, the composition of the Rams' roster could be as fluid as any in the NFL, including frequent use of the waiver wire.
In spite of all that uncertainty, here's a 53-man roster projection:
QUARTERBACK (2): Matthew Stafford, Stetson Bennett
When the two ex-Georgia stars aren't trading stories about their respective college stints, Stafford will be trying to impart 14 years of ups and downs of life in the NFL to the rookie fourth-round draft pick. Brett Rypien, who made three starts in three seasons with Denver, is an option if coach Sean McVay chooses to carry a third quarterback with game experience.
RUNNING BACK (4): Cam Akers, Kyren Williams, Ronnie Rivers, Zach Evans
The Rams brought back Sony Michel in June after organized team activities concluded, giving a young group a Super Bowl-winning veteran to learn from in training camp. He could also stay around as insurance in case Akers gets hurt or ends up in the doghouse once again.
WIDE RECEIVER (6): Cooper Kupp, Van Jefferson, Tutu Atwell, Ben Skowronek, Lance McCutcheon, Puka Nacua
A healthy Kupp is going to be the focus of the passing game. How targets are dispersed around him will be interesting, with Jefferson presumably slotted in at the No. 2 option after having two knee surgeries last year. Nacua, a rookie, turned heads throughout the spring and will look to continue that momentum.
TIGHT END (4): Tyler Higbee, Brycen Hopkins, Hunter Long, Davis Allen
Acquiring Long from Miami in the Jalen Ramsey trade and drafting Allen in the fifth round could hint at a willingness by McVay to lessen his extreme reliance on 11 personnel (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WRs).
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Rob Havenstein, Alaric Jackson, Joe Noteboom, Brian Allen, Steve Avila, Logan Bruss, Coleman Shelton, Tremayne Anchrum Jr., Warren McClendon
After being gutted by a truly ridiculous number of injuries last season, the Rams are hoping to reestablish stability and continuity. But outside of Havenstein at right tackle, no other spot up front is locked in. Noteboom, who tore his Achilles tendon last season, and Shelton are wild cards capable of playing multiple roles.
DEFENSIVE LINE (12): Aaron Donald, Bobby Brown III, Kobie Turner, Marquise Copeland, Larrell Murchison, Jonah Williams, Desjuan Johnson, Michael Hoecht, Byron Young, Nick Hampton, Ochaun Mathis, Keir Thomas
Making sure this group isn't an absolute sieve would be one of the greatest achievements in Donald's sure-fire Hall of Fame career. Having grouped the down linemen and edge rushers together to make clear how unproven the defensive front will be outside of Donald, the Rams should be looking at signing at least two veterans to fill out those ranks. The machinations of NFL finances could mean those moves don't come until after Week 1.
LINEBACKER (3): Ernest Jones, Christian Rozeboom, Jake Hummel
The three inside linebacker spots are as straightforward as it gets, with Jones having emerged as an above-average starter after two seasons who still has room to improve.
CORNERBACK (5): Cobie Durant, Derion Kendrick, Robert Rochell, Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, Ahkello Witherspoon
Similar to the defensive front, there is going to be a steep learning curve with this group. Durant had three interceptions as a rookie, making him the only returning Ram from last season with multiple picks. Witherspoon was signed in June to provide size and experience at a position lacking in both traits.
SAFETY (5): Jordan Fuller, Russ Yeast, Quentin Lake, Richard LeCounte III, Jason Taylor II
Fuller started 28 games in his first two seasons before a hamstring injury ruined his 2022. Back at full strength, he'll be the unquestioned leader of a youthful secondary. In addition to taking Taylor in the seventh round, the Rams also brought in a strong crop of undrafted rookies at safety, so there should be quality competition for spots here.
SPECIALISTS (3): Tanner Brown (K), Ethan Evans (P), Alex Ward (LS)
The Rams will be relying on rookies at all three spots. Brown made 22 of 23 field goals as a fifth-year senior at Oklahoma State, nailing all but one of his seven tries from 40 yards or longer.