Rams Preseason: 3 Defensive Players With The Most To Lose In Week 2

The Los Angeles Rams preseason is in full swing. There is just a week and a half before NFL teams have to get their rosters down to 53 players, each game will determine the fate of many players.

Players Who Must Earn Their Roster Spot In Rams Preseason Week 2

Larrell Murchison , DT

Everyone along the defensive front needed to take a big step forward once Aaron Donald retired. Not only did the Rams lose their best player, but they also lost their only veteran presence on the defensive line.

The Rams line feasted last week against the Cowboys, racking up a league-leading 26 quarterback pressures and an impressive 25 STOPs . One player who didn’t get in on the action was Larrell Murchison . Despite playing 41 percent of the defensive snaps, he failed to record more than one tackle and in fact missed a tackle as well.

Despite playing a rotational role, Murchison is one of the most experienced members of the Rams defensive line. His rough performance may have been what prompted the team to sign Carlos Watkins .

Whatever the reason, Watkins offers the experience the Rams desperately need up front and will be in direct competition for playing time with Murchison. He will need to rise to the occasion in the Rams preseason to keep his roster spot heading into the season.

Jake Hummel , ILB

Jake Hummel played well last week, but Omar Speights played even better. Speights edged Hummel in each relevant statistical measure and he even tacked on two quarterback pressures.

Hummel has plenty to play for, as he is in the final year of his three-year contract.

It seems that the Rams are settled on three of the four inside linebackers; Ernest Jones , Christian Rozeboom , and Troy Reeder with one job left for the taking. Both Speights and Olakunle Fatukasi will be putting pressure on Hummel for that spot.

Zach VanValkenburg , OLB

Zach VanValkenburg led the team in pressures in the first Rams preseason game, but he will need to follow that up with an equally impressive performance to keep his role on the team in a rapidly crowded edge rusher room.

Last season the Rams kept five outside linebackers, including ZVV. Now with Jared Verse on the team, it bumps everyone down a rung. Not only that but Nick Hampton impressed with his five pressures on 21 snaps. Keir Thomas will also be vying for a roster spot.

It should also be pointed out that rookie fifth-rounder, Brennan Jackson was held out of this game. This could be a sign that he has already acquitted himself in training camp and joint practices to the point he has solidified his spot on the team.

More must-reads:

• Time To Replace Stetson Bennett? 4 Free Agent Options the Rams Could Target Today
• Rams Preseason: Top Players Insiders Will Be Watching in Week 2