We cannot pretend that Thursday night\u2019s preseason finale between the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers is a 90-man audition.<\/p>\n
The most noteworthy outcomes from the game will be who Sean McVay decides not to subject to an exhibition and are therefore likely safe to make the team. Thursday night is a job interview only for a select few. The rest are hoping to put out positive film so they can stick elsewhere.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s the difficult truth of the Rams\u2019 preseason that you\u2019ll hear from only the most realistic voices.<\/p>\n
Insuring Matthew Stafford is Stetson Bennett\u2019s job until it isn\u2019t\u2014and the veteran\u2019s grip on the title has slowly loosened since rookie Ty Simpson\u2019s breakout game in Kansas City.<\/p>\n
While Bennett lit up the box score in the second preseason game against the Saints, throw-for-throw this was not an overwhelmingly positive performance<\/a>. Ignore the box score. Look for throws into tight windows. The ball was sailing on Bennett last week, and he\u2019s demonstrated a frequency in which he throws behind his receivers. That isn\u2019t promising in terms of running an efficient offense.<\/p>\n As for Simpson, will the Rams let him attempt a pass beyond 20 yards? It\u2019s the last box he needs to check in order to dethrone Bennett and serve as Stafford\u2019s full-time understudy. The rookie has been pinpoint accurate on short and intermediate throws. He needs to remain consistently effective at this while showing the world he can also hit the deep ball.<\/p>\n The last running back (if there is one)<\/p>\n McVay and the Rams are telling us that the top three backs at set: Kyren Williams, Blake Corum, and Ronnie Rivers.<\/p>\n There is no telling if the team will even be willing to carry four running backs. With the surplus of positive preseason performances between Jarquez Hunter, Dean Connors, and Jordan Waters, LA may feel compelled to release all three and then stash one or two of them on the practice squad. The roster is very talented and highly competitive. The Rams may need to steal a spot here or there in order to keep their best 53 players.<\/p>\n If LA does keep four running backs, there seems to be no clear favorite between Hunter and Connors. Both bring a different style to the backfield. Hunter is a physical presence that can hit top-end speeds. Connors\u2019 best preseason production has come as a receiver, which is a nice change of pace from the three leaders on the depth chart.<\/p>\n Is there room for standout offensive linemen?<\/p>\n Alaric Jackson is facing a possible suspension. Rookie Keagen Trost will likely miss the start of the regular season due to injury. Justin Dedich returned to practice this week. If the offensive line depth feels uncertain ahead of the cutdown to the 53-man roster, that\u2019s because it largely is.<\/p>\n