Los Angeles Rams: 4 Unexpected Players to Be Released

The 2024 NFL season is right around the corner and decision time has arrived for the Los Angeles Rams .

General Manager Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay, along with the coaching staff, are making their final picks to round out the 53-man roster that will suit up in uniform for Sunday Night Football in Detroit on September 8th.

Here is a list of the four most unexpected cuts to watch for the Los Angeles Rams.

Unexpected Los Angeles Rams Facing Release

Xavier Smith, WR

The wide receiver room for the Los Angeles Rams usually has six in their room and with the way Xavier Smith has played, he has given Snead and McVay a difficult decision.

Smith would make it a potential seven receivers on the roster. That means there is an odd man out and it could be Smith.

However, what is making the decision difficult is how Smith is played.

Against Dallas in the first preseason game, Smith hauled in four receptions for 22 yards.

In the following week against the crosstown rival, the Chargers, Smith had five receptions for 45 yards. Although he did not catch an intercepted pass intended for him in the end zone, Smith was able to catch a pass for six yards followed by a defensive pass interference penalty on the ensuing play.

He also has that role as a kick returner is what really stands out with the new NFL kickoff being implemented this season.

“Just knowing my role honestly,” said Smith , who signed with the Rams as an undrafted rookie in 2023 from Florida A&M. “Knowing that’ll be my way on the 53. So, just trying to do everything I can to take advantage of that opportunity. Getting extra work in with the punters, getting extra work with the kickers, and just taking advantage once it’s time to get on the field.”

Smith is definitely a player to watch if he makes the 53-man roster either for his receiving work backing up Cooper Kupp or Puka Nacua or on kickoffs.

Even head coach Sean McVay has praised Smith as this preseason has rolled along.

“You look at him from last year to this year, it’s awesome to see the growth, the maturation, the teammates love him,” he said of Smith following the third preseason game against Houston where the 26-year-old had four receptions for 34 yards as well as three rushing attempts on jet wees for 16 yards. “He was a captain (Sunday) for the game I was really pleased with Xavier.”

Also read: New Los Angeles Rams projected 53-man roster

Hunter Long, TE

The Los Angeles Rams tight end group is an interesting one, especially with Tyler Higbee likely being placed on Injured Reserve. As a result, that group consists of Colby Parkinson, Davis Allen, and Hunter Long.

Depending on Higbee’s timeline to return from the torn ACL and MCL that he suffered against the Lions during the playoffs last January, affects how many tight ends will be needed behind Parkinson.

If Higbee needs the minimum of four games, maybe Snead and the Rams go with two tight ends and leave a player like Long out. However, if Higbee needs more time, it garners the idea for Long to be on the roster.

On another note, this is not an offense like others across the league that utilize their tight ends. Last year, Rams tight ends totaled 88 targets between Higbee and Davis Allen for the top two target leaders on a respective team. That ranked 28 ^th in the league.

Whereas the Rams led the league last season in wide receiver targets among their top three receivers.

As a result, if Snead and McVay feel that Long has value to add to the tight end room with Parkinson and Allen, he will be on the 53-man roster when they are finalized on Tuesday.

EDGE rushers Zach VanValkenburg and Ochaun Mathis

A new era of Los Angeles Rams defense is about to begin with the retirement of Aaron Donald and defensive coordinator Raheem Morris now the head coach in Atlanta.

The Rams started their new defensive era by picking up defensive end Jared Verse from Florida State, marking the team’s first first-round selection since selecting Jared Goff first overall in 2016.

That was then followed up by choosing Verse’s Seminole teammate and defensive tackle Braden Fiske in the second round.

As a result, the Rams edge rushers will consist of Verse, Byron Young, and Michael Hoecht. The edge rushing trio will most likely be followed by 2024 fifth-round pick Brennan Jackson from Washington State and 2023 fifth-rounder Nick Hampton.

Also read: Los Angeles Rams Top Defender Reportedly Available for Trade Over Contract Dispute

That could easily be the outside linebacker room despite there being three others on the depth chart before the 53-roster is set: Keir Thomas, Ochaun Matthis, and Zach VanValkenburg.

Of the three, VanValkenburg and Mathis have both put together a compelling case to be on the roster. VanValkenburg has shown that he can make big plays, especially in the first preseason game against the Cowboys. Against Dallas, VanValkenburg totaled three tackles with one sack, and two quarterback hits while leading the team in quarterback pressures with six. The six pressures were also tied for the most among any player during the first week of the preseason, according to Pro Football Focus .

Meanwhile, for Mathis, he has also been able to have success this preseason. Against the Chargers, Mathis recorded one tackle for loss as he ranked third on the team with an 87.7 PFF Grade following the matchup. However, Mathis did not play in Houston on Saturday, which is a sign that he might have a slight edge over VanValkenburg to crack the Los Angeles Rams 53-man roster.

More must-reads:

• Los Angeles Rams Starter Out Multiple Weeks To Start The Season
• NFL GMs, Coaches Rave About Los Angeles Rams’ Matthew Stafford in 2024 QB Rankings