Reviewing the Rams positional units and battles as Week 2 of camp winds down

As Week 2 of Los Angeles Rams training camp winds down, the roster is slowly coming into focus. There have certainly been surprises, both positive and negative. Time to inch up the depth chart or hold onto current position is running short.

Next week, There’s a live scrimmage/practice with the Dallas Cowboys and next Saturday the preseason slate starts. Although these games are not very high on Head coach Sean McVay’s importance list, the tilt must game planned for and recuperated from. He does value the live scrimmages though, and the same rules of installations and recovery apply, cutting into practice time to make ground.

How are things after two weeks? Here’s an opinionated overview of the positional units thus far and how important positional battles are laying out.

Quarterback

The Rams offense will certainly be different if Jimmy Garappolo sees extended starts. If so, expect the Rams to re-visit the early Sean McVay days, more of a system style. Short to intermediate passing game with quick reads to set up the run, and then attack with play action.

No battles

The roles are clearly delineated. The injury to Matthew Stafford, whether over or under stated, stands as the only possible glitch.

Running back

With a set starter and two recently drafted backups, it’s a tough row to hoe for Ronnie Rivers, Cody Schrader, and Jordan Waters. It has to be tough knowing that a practice squad berth will likely be your ultimate reward.

Battle: RB#2 Blake Corum vs Jarquez Hunter

Both have shown an explosive element in camp, that missing piece of the Rams run offense. The edge right now would go to Corum, he came into a little lighter and it really shows. His jump cuts and his explosion off them have been stellar. The Rams coaches have been raving about Hunter and I think that his menacing style will best show in full contact situations. L.A. will get a taste of that physicality in the Cowboys scrimmage.

Wide receiver

A very deep group from top to bottom. Watching drills, they all show good technique in/out of breaks and soft hands. With Puka Nacua and Davante Adams leading this group, a case could be made for most, if not all of them to make the roster.

Battle: WR#3 Tutu Atwell vs Jordan Whittington

Whittington is the player on the come with his consistently solid work, so much that Offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur hinted that Whit may be too important to the offense to risk on special teams. Reports are that Atwell worked better with Stafford and has not built the same rapport with Garappolo. Maybe Konata Mumpfield should be included in this battle discussion, he’s getting some first team reps when Adams is off and drawing raves.

Tight end

With Stafford out, no unit has been reaping the benefits of Garappolo’s presence more than the tight ends. JimmyG has an extended history of working his tight ends going back to his early years in New England and Stetson Bennett has been doing a good job of checking down to them. Veterans Tyler Higbee, Colby Parkinson, Davis Allen, and rookie Terrance Ferguson have all repped with the first team. Sleeper UDFA Anthony Torres looks comfortable with the two’s.

Battle: TE#3 Colby Parkinson vs Davis Allen

At this point, the Top 4 are pretty much interchangeable. The competition is tight in this group so seeding might not make a huge difference, but there are only so many snaps to go around. The depth chart could change weekly. Would blocking prowess be factored in? It’s seems kind of ironic to me that whenever you talk about the Rams wide receivers, blocking ability is always part of the equation, but is an afterthought when discussing the tight ends.

Offensive line

The good news is that Alaric Jackson is training on the side and been participating in jog-through practices. Beaux Limmer has played both guard and center, as has Justin Dedich. It’s quite possible that Dedich and eight other prospects are fighting for one open spot in the OLine room.

Battle: LT#2 DJ Humphries vs David Quessenberry

It’s a big gamble to have your money on a pair of journeymen at left tackle. While it’s too early to count out AJax, both Humphries and Quessenberry are better at run blocking and look to have trouble with speed rushers. Hard to be comfortable with options behind AJax.

Special teams

The three specialists, long snapper Alex Ward, punter Ethan Evans, and place kicker Josh Karty should improve their sync after a year working together.

Battle: KR#1 Xavier Smith vs Britain Covey

Smith has shown he can make plays on offense during camp to go along with his four-phase special teams work from last year, Covey is a year removed from leading the NFL in punt return yardage. Either way, the return game appears to be at least as serviceable as last year.

Defensive line

Often dominating during camp. I like the idea of the Rams primarily putting the first team offense vs first team defense in 11on11 situations. Kobie Turner thinks the Top 4 are set, so it boils down to depth. With the Rams trending to more 4-3 looks, how many interior players will be needed?

Battle: DT#5 Ty Hamilton vs Larrell Murchison and Desjuan Johnson

The rookie Hamilton has gotten some first team reps and brings in a college history of being a run-stopper and doing the “dirty work” for others to play loose. Murchison, although injured all of last year, plays at full effort every down with veteran savvy. Johnson might fit better as a 4-3 defensive end, but has earned over 100 snaps as a backup in each of his first two seasons.

Edge

The Top 2 are as good as any in the league. It’s not breaking news to predict Jared Verse and Byron Young to both have double-digit sacks and 75 tackles. After this pair, there’s a big ration of potential, but not a lot of production to hang a hat on.

Battle: E#3 Brennan Jackson vs Josiah Stewart

Stewart was quiet during OTAs, the reason being he was fighting through a hamstring problem. The break got him healed up and he has been gaining momentum. He’s getting first team reps and showing an ability to sharply turn the corner off the outside rush. Brennan has been working with the two’s, but his game, built on strength and pursuit is a very nice complement to the others and should get him plenty of work during the regular season.

Off-ball linebacker

The duo of Nate Landman and Omar Speights appears entrenched on the second level. Speights has had a solid camp, but Landman has been big man campus throughout the spring and summer. Surprisingly, roster longshot Tony Fields has been getting second team snaps, while trumpeted rookie Chris Paul falls behind due to injury.

Battle: ILB#3 Shaun Dolac vs Troy Reeder

Two UDFAs, one a vet and the other a rookie fight for the role. Barring injury, it’s likely just a handful of rotational defensive snaps and plenty of work on special teams.

Safety

Four are locked, the two veterans Quentin Lake and Kamren Curl, along with sophomores Kamren Kinchens, and Jaylen McCollough. Lake returns as the “STAR” hybrid, while the other three now have a year in the Rams system under their belts. Curl was stepped on in a recent practice and although he walked off, he’s been given the “week-to-week” designation. UDFA Nate Valcarcel has been getting second-team reps and could have a lot to gain from Curl’s absence.

Battle: S#3 Kam Kinchens vs Jaylen McCollough

While Kinchens had more reps last year, 514 to 335, McCollough showed positional versatility and was a chess piece on the defensive board. Kinchens is more comfortable from a deep perch, coming down on the action. McCollough looks like he can make a living closer to the line of scrimmage. One thing to keep an eye on is that L.A. usually rosters 10 players total in the secondary, and how many safeties that lock in will certainly influence roster bubble battles as camp winds down.

Cornerback

Both McVay and Shula are on the record saying they’re pleased with the unit, citing their aggressive play and ball-hawking. Darious Williams, Cobie Durant, Ahkello Witherspoon, and Emmanuel Forbes are locked in. Forbes has a twinged hamstring and is out for a week or two and will likely take it easy for most of remaining training camp. That creates an opportunity for another candidate to show out and bump up a notch on the practice depth chart.

Battle: CB#5 Josh Wallace vs Derion Kendrick

Will the Rams roster five, or six corners? Kendrick, although coming off a serious knee injury, has 18 NFL starts under his belt. If special teams work becomes the deciding factor, Wallace gets the edge.

Any surprises in camp?

Unequivocally yes.

On an individual basis, linebacker Nate Landman has taken over the Rams defense. Brought in as low-cost support, he’s impressed with his understanding of the defense and wears the green dot as play caller/captain. Both Blake Corum and Jarquez Hunter have looked explosive at running back and put heat onto Kyren Williams for snaps. Wide receiver Keonta Mumpford has lived up to his draft profile, technically proficient; crisp, advanced route running; and good hands. He’s been getting first team reps. Edge Josaiah Stewart has really been on the move after a slow start showing real burst off the edge.

As for individual units, the overall play of the defense, from front to back, appears ready for step up in class. Over the offseason, the Rams braintrust made a concerted effort to stop the run. Adding Landman and Poona Ford, along with last years rookie class getting Year 1 reps, should go a long way to get there. The pass rush will again fervent and the secondary has returned in its entirety.

It appears that the offense should be multiple and have much more explosion. The running backs look twitchy and appears three-deep. The wide receivers are a nice mix of speed, size and experience, with technical prowess as the continuity thread. This unit from top to bottom is among the best in the NFL. There maybe a more athletic groups, but the Rams room all fit snugly into the scheme. Finally the tight ends are all solidly mid-grade, with rookie Terrance Ferguson having the potential to be special.

Fair to say that as Week 2 winds down, Rams fans have reasons to be optimistic.