How the Rams’ position groups shape up for their preseason opener

Football is officially back for the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday as they take on the Dallas Cowboys in the preseason opener. This is a Rams team with high expectations heading into 2025 after coming up just short last season in the playoffs. Without further delay, here’s a position-by-position guide to identify the position battles and the key points of interest for the Rams against the Cowboys.

Quarterback

Starter: Matthew Stafford

Backups: Jimmy Garoppolo, Stetson Bennett

QB3 battle: None

While the Rams signed Dresser Winn, much like the past few years, Winn likely isn’t competing for a roster spot. Garoppolo has the backup quarterback spot locked up behind him and the same can be said about Stetson Bennett as the QB3. There are certainly some questions when it comes to Matthew Stafford’s back, but Garoppolo is someone that the coaching staff likes and trusts to run the offense for a period of time if needed. This may be the final time for awhile that the Rams enter the season with no serious questions or competitions at the quarterback position.

Running back

Starter: Kyren Williams

Backups: Blake Corum, Jarquez Hunter, Ronnie Rivers

Battle for the Practice Squad: Cody Schrader, Jordan Waters

Entering the offseason, there was some thought that there would be some competition at the running back spot, especially between Corum and Hunter. However, this is very likely a situation in which Corum is the more experienced player and therefore is the RB2 entering the season. Ronnie Rivers is the veteran in the group behind them and someone the Rams like. The primary competition here likely comes for the practice squad. Schrader spent last year on the practice squad as well and has more special teams value.

Tight end

Clear starter: Tyler Higbee

Depth battle: Colby Parkinson, Davis Allen, Terrance Ferguson

Battle for the Practice Squad: Anthony Torres, Malik Redman

While the Rams drafted Terrance Ferguson in the second round, Tyler Higbee is very clearly still the top guy in the tight end room. Ferguson has remained quiet during OTAs and training camp and may take some time to get up to speed. That’s fine though as the Rams have Parkinson and Allen who are more experienced. This is one of the deeper tight end rooms in the NFL because of how much the Rams have invested in it over the last two years. We’ll see if that results in more 12 personnel, but at the very least, they’ll be able to overcome injuries that they struggled with last season. It wouldn’t be shocking if both Torres and Redman were to make the practice squad. Either way, they both will be looking to impress the coaching staff.

Wide receiver

Clear starters: Davante Adams, Puka Nacua, Tutu Atwell

Rotation battle: Jordan Whittington, Konata Mumpfield, Xavier Smith, Britain Covey

Battle for the Practice Squad: Mario Williams, Tru Edwards, Drake Stoops, Brennan Presley

The top three wide receivers here seem pretty obvious. Puka Nacua has been one of the...