LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Rams open the 2024 NFL regular season at the Detroit Lions on Sept. 8 at Ford Field.
The Rams are coming off a late-season playoff run that culminated in a playoff loss to the Lions in the wild-card round. While the roster looks similar to the team that lost in Detroit, there will be a noticeable difference on the defense line as future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald retired this offseason.
Los Angeles continued to add to their young defense -- now helmed by defensive coordinator Chris Shula -- by using their first two picks on their defensive front. Rams head coach Sean McVay has been clear that one player won't replace Donald, but the team is hoping the group of Kobie Turner, Jared Verse, Braden Fiske and Byron Young will help replace some of his production.
Here is the 53-man roster projection:
QUARTERBACKS (3): Matthew Stafford, Jimmy Garoppolo, Stetson Bennett
The Rams signed Garoppolo to back up Stafford, but the veteran will miss the first two games for violating the NFL's performance enhancing substance policy. Los Angeles could choose to stash Bennett on the practice squad and promote him for the first two weeks instead of carrying him on the initial 53-man roster, though.
RUNNING BACKS (4): Kyren Williams, Blake Corum, Boston Scott, Ronnie Rivers
This projection has Zach Evans, a sixth-round pick in 2022, not making the roster. The Rams drafted Corum to back up Williams and hopefully spell the current starter, who averaged nearly 22 touches per game last season. Scott should be a key contributor on special teams.
WIDE RECEIVERS (6): Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, Demarcus Robinson, Jordan Whittington, Tutu Atwell, Tyler Johnson
Los Angeles added to their one-two punch of Kupp and Nacua by drafting Whittington in the sixth-round. The Rams traded Ben Skowronek in May, which might open space for Johnson to make the roster.
TIGHT ENDS (3): Colby Parkinson, Davis Allen, Hunter Long
Starting tight end Tyler Higbee will start the season on the PUP list after tearing his right ACL and MCL during the playoffs. Parkinson was a free agent signing who stood out in several offseason practices open to the media.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (10): Alaric Jackson, Jonah Jackson, Steve Avila, Kevin Dotson, Rob Havenstein, Joe Noteboom, Beaux Limmer, KT Leveston, Warren McClendon Jr., Logan Bruss
The Rams invested in their offensive line this offseason, re-signing Dotson to a three-year, $48 million deal and adding former Lions guard Jonah Jackson to a three-year, $51 million contract. Adding Jackson also led to a move to center from second-year player Avila. Los Angeles added Limmer and Leveston late in the draft.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (11): Kobie Turner, Bobby Brown III, Braden Fiske, Byron Young, Jared Verse, Michael Hoecht, Tyler Davis, Desjuan Johnson, Brennan Jackson, Larrell Murchison, Nick Hampton
There will be a lot of focus on this young group this season, especially Turner, who led all rookies in sacks last season. The Rams are excited about the pair of Verse and Fiske, who were college teammates at Florida State last season.
LINEBACKERS (3): Ernest Jones, Christian Rozeboom, Jacob Hummel
Jones is playing on the final season of his rookie deal after the Rams elected not to sign him to a contract extension before the season. He set single-season highs in sacks, QB hits, tackles for a loss and tackles last season.
CORNERBACKS (5): Darious Williams, Tre'Davious White, Cobie Durant, Tre Tomlinson, Derion Kendrick
Los Angeles needed to add talent to this group, and it did that by bringing back Williams after two seasons away in Jacksonville and adding White, who tore his right Achilles last season in Buffalo. The Rams drafted Durant and Kendrick in 2021 and are looking for the pair to take a step forward during training camp and the preseason.
SAFETIES (5): Kamren Curl, Quentin Lake, Kamren Kinchens, Russ Yeast, Jason Taylor II
The Rams let Jordan Fuller go in free agency and signed Curl to a two-year deal. Los Angeles also added depth by drafting Kinchens in the third round.
SPECIALISTS (3): K Joshua Karty, P Ethan Evans, LS Alex Ward
This group should be pretty set barring injuries during training camp or the preseason. After the kicking woes the Rams had last season, the team invested in the position by drafting Karty in the sixth round.