The Los Angeles Rams will have to make some hard choices ahead of the 2024 season. They will have to cut their roster down to 53 from 90 by 1 PM PST on August 27th. Each year the there are players that are on the roster bubble heading into training camp. They must define a clear role for themselves on the team or face the chopping block.
Here are the top chopping block candidates ahead of Rams training camp.
Los Angeles Rams Training Camp Top Cut Candidates
Tutu Atwell, WR
Despite his slight 5’8″ 150 lbs frame, Tutu Atwell speed was going to unlock the Rams offense. Since being drafted in 2021, Atwell has yet to prove that he can make a significant impact on the field. Heading into 2023, it looked like he would get he first, best chance to make his case. In the first 11 games of the season, Atwell got over 70 percent of offensive snaps. By Week 12 the experiment was over. He barely played the rest of the season.
As he is on the last year of his rookie deal he is only cost the Rams $1.9 million against the cap, but the Rams only hang on top six receivers during the regular season. His roster spot should go to someone that contribute. He will be competing against Tyler Johnson, who spent last season on the Rams practice squad and undrafted free agent Drake Stoops.
Johnson got off to a good start in the first two seasons, but hasn’t found his footing in the last two seasons. But he is much more equipt to play on special teams and fits the Sean McVay‘s more physical offense.
Stoops is in the model of Atwell, small and speedy, but at 5’11”, 190, he has a much more football ready body.
Hunter Long, TE
Hunter Long joined the Los Angeles Rams as a part of the trade that sent Jalen Ramsey to the Miami Dolphins. He made appearances in four games, but wasn’t much of a factor.
The Rams currently have an incredible seven tight ends on their roster, including newly acquired Colby Parkinson. They usually only keep three and even with Tyler Higbee likely starting the year on the IR, Long faces an uphill battle to make his way into the top 3.
Eventually Higbee will return and Parkinson is a lock. Second year Davis Allen was impressive in the small amount of playing time he got last year.
Long’s $1.3 million can be cut without negative consequences to the teams cap this year or next.
Zach Evans, RB
Zach Evans is exactly the kind of player that needs to carve out a defined role for himself on this team during Rams training camp. After the Rams drafted him just last year, but he ended up on the practice squad. Even when Kyren Williams was hurt they turned to Royce Freeman and the cast off Darrell Henderson.
Evans will have to make an even more impressive impression during Rams training camp this year. The Rams added Blake Corum via a 3rd round draft pick and picked up Boston Scott in free agency. They also brought back Ronnie Rivers.
The Rams will be running the ball more than ever in the McVay era, but even five backs will be too many for this team.
Tre Tomlinson, CB
Tre’Vius Tomlinson may be the defensive equivalent of Tutu Atwell. The 5’9″ 180 lbs cornerback was drafted just last year, but played only a handful of snaps in that season. In college, Tomlinson played mostly outside corner despite his size. The Rams have invested heavily over the last few season addressing outside cornerback. Last year they brought in Ahkello Witherspoon after drafting Tomlinson. This year, they added both Darious Williams and Tre’Davious White, who nearly exclusively play on the outside. They also opted to keep playing Derion Kendrick, despite the flaws apparent in his game. Cobie Durant has played mostly slot corner, but the Rams played him far more on the outside last season than Tomlinson.
All that to say, the Rams have gone to great lengths to keep Tomlinson off the field.
Rams training camp will be Tomlinson’s chance to prove to the coaching staff that he can find a role on this new look defense.