Turf Show Times
It’s very likely that quarterback Stetson Bennett will take the majority, if not all of the preseason snaps for the Rams. He got the majority of the work as a rookie and then got all of the snaps last year. This will be a big preseason for Bennett. Over the last two preseasons, he’s been reckless with the ball at times and his processing has been late. However, the coaching staff seems to be pleased with the progress that he’s made as he enters year three.
With Stafford nursing a sore back, there may be more pressure for the Rams to keep Bennett on the roster than there had been in the spring. Still, a good preseason could give the team some confidence that he has the ability to be the long-term backup as originally planned when he was drafted. It will be interesting to see if Bennett has truly taken a step forward as the coaching staff says he has.
Nick Hampton is heading into year three and when it comes to depth among Rams edge rushers, he is the most experienced player. The Rams seem to like what they have in Josaiah Stewart, but they also value experience. Still, Hampton has dealt with injuries and has struggled to get playing time throughout his first two seasons. The preseason will be an opportunity for Hampton to showcase what he’s capable of in a live game atmosphere. Last season, he had seven pressures over two preseason game.
According to MMQB’s Albert Breer, rookie Josaiah Stewart is positioned to back up Jared Verse and Byron Young. However, Hampton isn’t a player that should be written off just yet. Even if he has been surpassed by Stewart, he will be competing with Brennan Jackson.
If there is one spot to be concerned about when it comes to the Rams, it is their offensive line depth. It doesn’t help that they are already having to rely on that depth with Alaric Jackson managing blood clots. Jackson’s status for Week 1 is unclear. Until then, the Rams will be relying on DJ Humphries and Warren McClendon.
McClendon has shown some positive moments in his first two seasons. At the same time, there’s a reason that the Rams went out and signed both Humphries and DJ Quessenberry. McClendon is heading into year three and if he has a good preseason, it will instill some confidence in his ability as a depth tackle.
There may not be an undrafted free agent that had more people excited than North Carolina’s Willie Lampkin. However, throughout OTAs and training camp, not much has been said about Lampkin. Heading into the draft, there was no questioning Lampkin’s ability, but there were serious questions about his size at just 5’11. Lampkin was signed by the Rams as an undrafted free agent and could be the type of low-risk move that pays off.
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