With the start of the 2023 NFL season just around the corner, Tuesday marked the deadline for the Los Angeles Rams to make roster cuts and set their initial 53-man roster.
Among the teams cuts were offensive lineman Logan Bruss, wide receiver Tyler Johnson, offensive tackle A.J. Arcuri, kicker Tanner Brown, defensive end T.J. Carter, linebacker Daniel Hardy, defensive back Quindell Johnson, tight end Nikola Kalinic, center Mike McAllister, defensive back Cameron McCutcheon, offensive guard Grant Miller, wide receiver Xavier Smith, linebacker Keir Thomas, wide receiver Austin Trammell, quarterback Dresser Winn, linebacker Jaiden Woodbey, defensive tackle Marquise Copeland, running back Royce Freeman, quarterback Brett Rypien, linebacker DeAndre Square and defensive back Rashad Torrence.
The most notable member of this list is Bruss, who was the Rams’ top draft pick in 2022 out of Wisconsin. He missed his entire rookie season with a torn ACL though and struggled during training camp so the writing was on the wall.
Copeland is also notable considering the Rams chose to re-sign him after letting both Greg Gaines and A’Shawn Robinson walk in free agency. He started nine games for L.A. last season and finished with 31 total tackles.
With receivers like Johnson and Trammell being cut, Demarcus Robinson made the roster as the sixth and final wideout. Additionally, Ronnie Rivers made the roster at running back over the veteran Freeman.
All 14 of the Rams’ 2023 draft picks made the 53-man roster so L.A. will be one of the youngest teams in the league. A lot of them will get a chance to play and develop right away.
Although this is the Rams’ initial 53-man roster, nothing is set in stone as more moves will still need to be made. The Rams don’t have a kicker on the roster after waiving the rookie Brown, and reports indicate they are scouring the trade market to find a replacement for Matt Gay.
A number of these young players that got cut could be back with the Rams on the practice squad, which will be finalized in the next couple of days.
Rams initial 53-man roster
QUARTERBACKS (2): Matthew Stafford, Stetson Bennett
RUNNING BACKS (4): Cam Akers, Kyren Williams, Ronnie Rivers, Zach Evans
WIDE RECEIVERS (6): Cooper Kupp, Van Jefferson, Tutu Atwell, Ben Skowronek, Puka Nacua, Demarcus Robinson
TIGHT ENDS (4): Tyler Higbee, Brycen Hopkins, Hunter Long, Davis Allen
OFFENSIVE LINE (10): Brian Allen, Coleman Shelton, Joe Noteboom, Tremayne Anchrum Jr., Alaric Jackson, Rob Havenstein, Steve Avila, Warren McClendon Jr., Zachary Thomas, Kevin Dotson
DEFENSIVE LINE (7): Aaron Donald, Jonah Wiliams, Larrell Murchison, Bobby Brown III, Earnest Brown IV, Kobie Turner, Desjuan Johnson
OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS (5): Michael Hoecht, Byron Young, Nick Hampton, Zach VanValkenburg, Ochaun Mathis
INSIDE LINEBACKERS (3): Ernest Jones, Christian Rozeboom, Jake Hummel
DEFENSIVE BACKS (10): Cobie Durant, Derion Kendrick, Ahkello Witherspoon, Tre Tomlinson, Shaun Jolly, Jordan Fuller, Russ Yeast, John Johnson III, Quentin Lake, Jason Taylor II
SPECIALISTS (2): Ethan Evans (punter), Alex Ward (long snapper)
