See who could make the cut and who might get cut next week

With each week that passes this preseason, the Los Angeles Rams move one step closer to trimming their roster down to 53 players. Every team must cut its roster down next Tuesday, Aug. 26, so there’s one more preseason game left for players to prove themselves.

The Rams have some incredibly difficult decisions to make in the next week or so, particularly on the offensive line, defensive line, at linebacker and cornerback. They’re going to be forced to cut some really good players who could contribute as practice squad members, assuming they clear waivers and return to L.A.

With two preseason games in the books, both of which were wins, here’s our latest projection of the Rams’ 53-man roster. There weren’t too many changes from last week’s projection, but each preseason game creates more competition across the board.

Matthew StaffordJimmy GaroppoloStetson Bennett

No changes from last week. Bennett continues to play well this preseason, putting together arguably his best performance yet on Saturday. With Stafford’s status unclear, the Rams may need Bennett as the backup early in the year.

Kyren WilliamsBlake CorumJarquez HunterCody SchraderCut: Ronnie Rivers, Jordan Waters

Corum, Hunter and Schrader all had success against the Chargers and there’s no reason to change anything from our last projection. It’s possible the Rams will go with only three running backs, especially given the depth at other positions, but Schrader will be hard to cut – especially after keeping him on the 53-man roster all of last year.

Puka NacuaDavante AdamsTutu AtwellJordan WhittingtonXavier SmithKonata MumpfieldCut: Britain Covey, Mario Williams, Drake Stoops, Tru Edwards, Brennan Presley

Williams, Edwards and Presley all made positive impressions on Saturday but it’s hard to say any of them will make the 53-man roster. They were mostly going against backups and as promising as they’ve been at times, there just isn’t enough room for seven wide receivers – and the top six are approaching lock territory.

Tyler HigbeeTerrance FergusonColby ParkinsonDavis AllenCut: McCallan Castles, Mark Redman

Allen continues to play a good number of snaps in the preseason, which may not be a good sign. The Rams could potentially go with only three tight ends to save room at another position but Allen still has potential as a former fifth-round pick.

Alaric JacksonSteve AvilaColeman SheltonKevin DotsonRob HavensteinBeaux LimmerD.J. HumphriesJustin DedichWarren McClendon Jr.Willie LampkinCut: David Quessenberry, KT Leveston, Dylan McMahon, A.J. Arcuri, Wyatt Bowles, Ben Dooley, Trey Wedig

This is where things get really tough. Quessenberry was getting first-team reps in the joint practice with the Saints, which is something McClendon’s gotten at times, too. Lampkin got hurt against the Chargers and didn’t play as well as he did last week. Leveston was a standout and McMahon is a good interior player who’s just injured.

Keeping 11 linemen would be too many but if Jackson has to start on an injury list in Week 1, the Rams could keep another tackle like Quessenberry. As of now, this competition could come down to Quessenberry and McClendon for the last spot.

Kobie TurnerPoona FordBraden FiskeTyler DavisTy HamiltonCut: Desjuan Johnson, Larrell Murchison, Bill Norton, Da’Jon Terry, Decarius Hawthorne, Jack Heflin

Johnson and Murchison are both going to be difficult to cut but with the talent the Rams need to keep at other positions, they don’t make it in this projection. Five defensive linemen would be enough for L.A. but six would probably be even better if they can make it work.

Jared VerseByron YoungJosaiah StewartKeir ThomasBrennan JacksonCut: Nick Hampton, Josh Pearcy, Jamil Muhammad

Jackson sneaks back onto the 53-man roster in this projection after an encouraging performance against the Chargers, recording two sacks. Hampton still isn’t doing enough to impress the coaching staff so he could be on the chopping block.

Nate LandmanOmar SpeightsTroy ReederChris Paul Jr.Cut: Shaun Dolac, Elias Neal, Tony Fields II

No change here despite Dolac continuing to play relatively well. He’s a good candidate for the practice squad if the Rams wind up cutting him, but he’s also a sleeper to make the team. Reeder’s status is unclear because he hasn’t played in the preseason but that seems to be a good sign for where he stands on the depth chart.

Darious WilliamsAhkello WitherspoonCobie DurantEmmanuel Forbes Jr.Josh WallaceCut: Charles Woods, Derion Kendrick, Shaun Jolly, Cam Lampkin, A.J. Green

Green was a standout player on Saturday and could push for one of the final roster spots. Wallace has the versatility to play cornerback and safety so he’s one to watch in the final week of the preseason as he tries to hold off Woods, Kendrick and the other corners.

Kamren CurlQuentin LakeKamren KinchensJaylen McColloughCut: Tanner Ingle, Nate Valcarcel, Malik Dixon-Williams

Ingle and Valcarcel have both shined in the preseason thus far but the Rams have so much talent and depth at the safety position already that they may not need a fifth. If they do keep five, Ingle and Valcarcel seem to be the next guys up.

K Joshua KartyP Ethan EvansLS Alex Ward

Status quo on special teams.

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