LOS ANGELES -- The Rams open the 2026 NFL regular season against the San Francisco 49ers on Sept. 10 at Melbourne Cricket Ground. But first, they play one more preseason game Thursday against the Los Angeles Chargers and then must cut their roster to 53 players by 6 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Who will make the team? Which positions have tough decisions on deck? And where might the lineup be deepest and thinnest this season?
This roster projection doesn't include Aaron Donald, who is currently going through a "regimented" process to determine whether he wants to come out of retirement. This is an offensive-heavy projection, in part because it includes six receivers, five tight ends and 10 offensive linemen.
Here is our projection for the 53-man roster for the Rams.
Quarterbacks (3)
Matthew Stafford, Stetson Bennett IV, Ty Simpson
After the Rams drafted Simpson with the No. 13 pick in April, coach Sean McVay said the rookie and Bennett would compete to back up Stafford. After two preseason games, McVay has not announced who has won that job. This projection includes all three quarterbacks, as Bennett has taken the majority of the second-team reps during training camp.
Running backs (4)
Kyren Williams, Blake Corum, Ronnie Rivers, Jarquez Hunter
Williams and Corum had about a 65-35 percent split in carries last season, with Williams rushing for 1,252 yards and 10 touchdowns on 259 carries. That could look closer to a 50-50 split this season if both running backs can stay healthy.
Wide receivers (6)
Davante Adams, Puka Nacua, Jordan Whittington, Konata Mumpfield, Xavier Smith, CJ Daniels
Last season, Adams led the league in touchdown receptions (14) and Nacua led the NFL with 129 catches. Whittington and Mumpfield are likely competing for the No. 3 receiver spot behind that pair.
Tight ends (5)
Tyler Higbee, Terrance Ferguson, Colby Parkinson, Davis Allen, Max Klare
Five tight ends on a 53-man roster would be unheard of for most teams -- and the Rams before last season -- but it seems the most likely scenario going into training camp. Los Angeles had 331 plays in 13 personnel last season, more than twice as many as any other team, according to ESPN Research.
Offensive linemen (10)
Alaric Jackson, Steve Avila, Coleman Shelton, Kevin Dotson, Warren McClendon Jr., David Quessenberry, Beaux Limmer, Keagen Trost, Dylan McMahon, Justin Dedich
The Rams have several uncertain spots on the offensive line given Jackson's legal situation and possible suspension. Trost, a rookie third-round pick, injured his hamstring in the Rams' preseason opener and could miss several weeks. Dedich missed all of training camp on the NFI list after injuring his hand in early July.
Defensive linemen (5)
Kobie Turner, Poona Ford, Braden Fiske, Tyler Davis, Tim Keenan III
If Donald decides to return, that would shake up this group. Donald, a future Hall of Fame defensive tackle, retired in March 2024. Turner, a third-round pick in 2023, is going into the final season of his rookie contract and is a candidate for a contract extension.
Linebackers (8)
Myles Garrett, Byron Young, Josaiah Stewart, Desjuan Johnson, Nate Landman, Omar Speights, Shaun Dolac, Grant Stuard
The biggest offseason addition for the Rams came on June 1, when they traded for Garrett, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Young, who is coming off a 12-sack season for Los Angeles, is also entering the final season of his rookie deal.
Cornerbacks (5)
Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson, Josh Wallace, Emmanuel Forbes Jr., Cam Lampkin
The Rams revamped this room after last season, trading for McDuffie and signing Watson to a three-year, $51 million deal. Lampkin, who has spent most of the past two seasons on the Rams' practice squad, impressed during training camp.
Safeties (4)
Quentin Lake, Kam Curl, Kamren Kinchens, Jaylen McCollough
The Rams have continuity in their safety room after signing Lake to a contract extension during the 2025 season and re-signing Curl before the start of free agency. Kinchens, a third-round pick in 2024, could be a breakout candidate for the group.
Special teams (3)
Harrison Mevis (K), Ethan Evans (P), Joe Cardona (LS)
Special teams was a weakness for the Rams last season, forcing an in-season change at kicker and long-snapper. Mevis, who took over in mid-November, missed just one kick in nine regular-season games and was perfect during the playoffs.
