Most of you know that the NFL has changed its format of roster cut downs, changing it to just one after the 4th pre-season game. Teams will be cutting 37 players, going from 90 to 53. Not sure about the number that can be relegated to the practice squad, (I'm sure one of you know the #). A total of 1,184 will be affected and hoping to be picked up by another team
Its going to be crazy folks. Signings will be reported almost immediately and reported on newswire non-stop for days. GM's and HC's are going to busy and going nuts trying to get guys that might upgrade their roster. I expect McSnead to in the thick of things, and an O-lineman will be their target.
To the meat of this post: Who might be cut the Rams could use? What position do Rams need upgraded and might find a roster cut to help?
I will start with the Defense first here.....I will arrive here by traveling the long road to get to your question answered.
DL: Even with the absence of two DE's former first rd selections & outstanding talents in the DL Donald/Easley...the abundance of good young talent compiled by Rams the DL would not be an unit. I would expect that much of the NFL will be looking at our WWC's. I can find no fault with DE prospects of Westbrook/ LTP/ Fox/ {R} Smart & even Brockers. When you throw in former DE's Barwin/Quinn/Longacre Ram DE propsects are thick.
LB's:. The Interior LB'ing cadre also appears loaded. On the flip side,it's interesting that we see a good number of outside edge rusher coming & going, (which to me) indicates injury issues causing concern's manly due to 2 of the 4 initially projected Samson Ebukam/ Rob Quinn are out. However the stepping up by the bench has been excellent (Longacre/McKinzy/Price/Littleton) 2 new OLB'er Mays & Tull are now getting a work out. If Quinn/Eubukam don't get heathy this might be a unit (Edge Rusher)where we see a WWC added.
Safeties/Nickle: I placed the Nickle cb position in here with the safeties. Wade thus far this pre season has used his FS's (Countess/Joyner/John Johnson/Cody Davis) as has 5th DB Nickel. No need for any WWC Nickel-Back. SS Mo Alexander has not looked sharp in pre season. The reserve SS's are all UDFA's with Marqui Christian as the most seen & active. We could see rookie Johnson get more action here the next 2 gms.The FS cadre is far more talented & fat. I see no need for the Rams to scrape the WWC release pot to add a player here.
Outside CB: This is another unit that has seen players coming & going is @
outside corners.
This outside corner unit would be my first selection as an area that we can see the Rams looking for a WWC. @ the moment this cadre has a core 4 player unit Johnson/Webster/NRC/Jordan.
Answer would be outside CB