The Rams may not be ready to swing a deal before Week 1, but the final stretch of the preseason is exactly when things can start moving. Roster cuts create openings, veterans slide down depth charts, and teams looking to shuffle their depth are suddenly more willing to listen. For Los Angeles, the biggest question is whether the front office decides to address two spots that already have some uncertainty attached to them.
Wide receiver is one of them. If Puka Nacua is facing a suspension, the Rams could use another body in that room, especially with Xavier Smith apparently slipping on the depth chart while trying to hang onto his punt return job.
Los Angeles would probably lean on the players already in-house if Nacua is out for only a short stretch, but Marvin Mims is the kind of name worth watching. He posted 503 yards and six touchdowns in 2024, even as he dropped on the Broncos’ depth chart, and he brings more than just receiving value.
Mims led the NFL in 2024 with an average depth of target of 40.2 yards on deep throws, and he also averaged 15.6 yards per punt return last season, second-best in the league. That kind of speed and return ability lines up with a Rams need.
The other obvious area is tackle. If Alaric Jackson gets suspended, the Rams would be staring at a tricky situation on the left side, and they’re already dealing with an injury to Keagen Trost.
Los Angeles has made trades work before on the offensive line with Austin Corbett and Kevin Dotson, but tackle depth is a different animal. Teams usually don’t give that away easily.
Still, Houston’s Fisher is a name to keep in mind. He’s only 23, hasn’t really clicked with the Texans, and with Houston overhauling its offensive line, he could be available as a swing tackle with two years left on his rookie contract.
If Jackson is out for a meaningful stretch, Fisher makes sense as a possible fit.
That same logic applies to a couple more tackles who have drifted down the pecking order. There was some uncertainty about whether the Jaguars would consider moving Walker Little, but Cole Van Lanen was just activated off the PUP list.
Blake Freeland has the physical tools, but he hasn’t fully developed with the Colts. Those kinds of players rarely get moved because teams usually value them more as depth than as trade return, but they’re still worth tracking if the Rams go shopping.
There’s also another receiver to watch in Keon Coleman. The former first-round pick has talent, but he hasn’t been a fit with the Bills, and a different offensive environment could help him. Coleman is also dealing with an injury, which adds another layer to his trade status.
If the Rams do make a move, tackle or receiver feels like the likeliest lane because those are the spots where help could matter right away. But if they’re looking beyond pure emergency depth and want a clean upgrade, linebacker is at least part of the conversation.
The Rams seem comfortable with Nate Landman and Omar Speights, yet it was notable that they didn’t address the position in the draft. Tyrel Dodson is in the final year of his contract, and the Dolphins just drafted his replacement in Jacob Rodriguez.
Dodson would fit as a complementary piece next to Landman, especially because of what he brings in coverage.
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Rams Fringe Players Have A Big Chance To Force Tough Roster Calls
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For a team that has to sort out the back end of the roster and the practice squad, these games matter beyond the box score. Another solid showing could make the decision-making process a little more complicated for the Rams, especially with several of these players trying to turn one good performance into something more lasting. [Read more 🡒]