QB2: Tyree Jackson vs Graham Mertz
The Case: Last year’s backup Jameis Winston decided to sign to the crosstown rivals in free agency, leaving the Rams scrambling for a backup. Tyree Jackson has been brought in along with rookie Graham Mertz. Tyree Jackson is looking to be the favorite to take the spot with Mertz struggling with accuracy in week 1 of preseason. Tyree will get his shot in the second half of week 2. The expected result is Tyree winning QB2 and Mertz hitting the practice squad, but there is a chance of Mertz impresses that he gains QB2 status and Tyree Jackson gets cut. The Rams only plan on carrying 2 QBs on their day 1 roster.
HB3: Derrick Henry vs Chuba Hubbard vs Zach Evans
The Case: The Rams are comfortable with the Antonio Gibson/Kirk Merritt dynamic. This is an injury insurance battle. King Henry needs to prove he still can be a thumper to hold off the feisty Hubbard. 3rd year player Zach Evans is in heavy danger of being cut. The Rams would like to carry 3 RBs, so the losers of this battle will most likely be handing their playbooks in.
WR3: Mike Evans vs Puka Nacua
The Case: Unfortunately Puka Nacua hasn’t developed the way the Rams have wanted, so it only made sense to bring in some competition. Julian Fleming has ascended to WR2, and now Mike Evans looks to take the WR3 role. The battle here will be whether the Rams value Puka’s RAC ability and his sentimental value over Mike Evans’s big body and veteran presence. With the Rams resting Cooper Kupp for preseason, both men will get plenty of chances.
MLB3: Jonas Griffith vs Derrick Barnes vs Lavonte David
The Case: This battle gains relevance because of the current stamina patch EA threw in the game that has decimated MLBs. With Deion Jones barely able to play more than 15 snaps a game, the MLB3 is almost the MLB2b. David is the vet, Barnes is the journeyman, and Griffith is the young raw hotshot. This will purely be decided on preseason performance. The Rams plan on carrying 4 MLBs into week 1 while the fatigue fuckery still is in play.
EGDE: Dylan Brooks vs Achton Gillotte vs Jadaveon Clowney
The Case: Brooks and Clowney once again compete to line up opposite of Byron Young as an edge, but they face new competition in rookie 4th round pick Achton Gillote. Brooks has the inside track to win the starting job this season, but ultimately all men could be rotated in and out while EA’s ill-fated stamina patch is still in the game. This could get Gillotte a sneaky chance to win this job, as his 283 pound frame figures to not fatigue as easy. He just has to play well from there. A dev for Gillottte could also checkmate this battle.
CB3/Slot CB: Azareye’h Thomas vs Ro Torrence
The Case: For the second season in a row, the Rams Super Bowl MVP CB may not start on day 1. At least Torrence is on the roster, but the rookie Thomas has impressed coaching in training camp and recently got a speed upgrade. It’ll be hard to deny Torrence, but a dev upgrade for Thomas could swing the tide. The CB4 amongst these 2 will still get looks in Dime packages.
FS1: Beau Brade vs Ro Torrence
The Case: How did Ro Torrence end up in another position battle? Well given how dynamic of a playmaker Torrence is, if he loses the CB3 job then maybe a move to safety is in the cards. Brade still figures to be the favorite, but a practice injury has knocked Brade out of the Rams’s Week 2 bout and will elevate Torrence to starting FS for the first half of the game. Torrence could steal the job with a standout performance, otherwise it’s still Brade’s job to keep.
