The Rams are closing in on their preseason finale against the Chargers, and the rookie pecking order has shifted again. With five draft picks and five undrafted free agents making noise this summer, the battle for spots and practice-squad roles is starting to sharpen.
At the top, CJ Daniels is back where he started. After slipping last week, he reclaimed the No. 1 spot by becoming a central piece of the offense against the Saints.
Daniels caught eight passes for 68 yards on 13 targets, and his eight receptions led all wide receivers in Week 2 of the preseason. He also averaged 2.62 yards per route run.
Saturday looked like a real test to see whether he could handle a heavy workload before the regular season.
Wesley Bailey made the biggest jump of the week, and it’s hard to ignore why. After flashing against the Chiefs, he came back with 10 pressures against the Saints and forced a fumble inside the five-yard line. That kind of production makes it tough to see a path where the Rams leave him off the roster.
The Rams’ offensive line has been one of the bright spots of the preseason, and Austin Blaske has been part of that push up front. The undrafted free agent took a slight step back against the Saints, but he has still allowed just one pressure this preseason. That’s the kind of foundation that makes him a useful developmental piece.
David Klare stayed involved, even if the efficiency wasn’t there. He had seven catches in the first preseason week and added four more against the Saints, but those four grabs only went for 12 yards.
He was also charged with a drop. The Rams have used him plenty in the preseason, though that workload probably won’t carry into the regular season.
In the secondary, Ja’kobi Hamilton is building a case despite the crowded cornerback room. He intercepted a pass against the Saints after logging a pass breakup in the opener, and while the practice squad looks like the most likely landing spot, he’s showing plenty of promise in coverage.
Connors barely got on the field after his strong showing against the Chiefs, playing only six snaps on Saturday. That could mean the Rams are trying to keep him out of sight and sneak him onto the practice squad. The team lost Cody Schrader to the Denver Broncos last year after a strong preseason, and it may be trying to avoid a repeat with Connors.
Rookie quarterback Jordan Simpson had a tougher setup against the Saints. He didn’t get his first touch until 7:34 remained in the third quarter, with the Rams already ahead 27-0. That game script limited what the team could do with his half of the action, but Simpson still put together a few positive plays.
The concerns are growing for Tim Keenan, who may be fighting just to make the 53-man roster. Among defensive linemen with at least 40 preseason snaps, he ranks 108th out of 110. He also failed to make much of an impression in training camp and now looks like a player on the bubble.
There’s also uncertainty around Trost, but for a different reason. The third-round pick hasn’t been available because of a strained hamstring, and the Rams will hope to have him back before Week 1. His ranking drop isn’t about talent so much as availability.
Andersen opened the preseason with a strong debut, but the Saints game didn’t go nearly as well. He was credited with two missed tackles, and that’s the kind of thing the Rams will notice, especially with the team stressing the importance of stacking days. He may fit better on the practice squad.
With the preseason finale looming, the rookie list has a clear shape now: Daniels back on top, Bailey surging, and several others fighting to turn strong August moments into something more permanent.
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