The Los Angeles Rams enter the 2023 season with their core vets and a host of young and inexperienced players looking to make names for themselves.
While Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp and Aaron Donald will continue to serve as the pillars of the offense and defense respectively, the Rams as an organization understand that 2023 will be a year of evaluation and player development. Sean McVay has already acknowledged that Los Angeles is looking to rebuild the foundation of their program, so he and the coaching staff will be keenly watching which players stand out and prove they are worthy of being with the franchise long-term.
Defensively, the Rams feature a lot of new faces in key positions. For example, the secondary was almost completely redone in the offseason after mainstays like Jalen Ramsey and Troy Hill found new homes.
Robert Rochell was one of the last remaining holdovers from previous seasons, but he was cut as Los Angeles trimmed their roster down to 53 players. However, it didn’t take long for Rochell to find a new home as he landed with the Seattle Seahawks practice squad, via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times:
Seahawks just announced they signed Jon Rhattigan, CB Robert Rochell and C Ben Brown to the practice squad. They released QB Holton Ahlers and OL Greg Eiland to make room. So, already some movement on the PS….
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) September 1, 2023
Rochell was a surprising cut as he had two years of experience and familiarity with the Rams defensive scheme. However, Rochell had an up-and-down tenure with L.A. where he struggled in coverage and finishing tackles.
Fortunately for him, he didn’t have to wait long to land with a new squad as the Seahawks immediately signed him after he cleared waivers. It must sting for the Rams to see a player they drafted wind up with a division rival, but they must have understood the risks of cutting him.
With Rochell no longer on the roster, Cobie Durant and Derion Kendrick are projected to step up as the starting corners, as well as Ahkello Witherspoon. The secondary depth looks thin on paper, so hopefully that trio is able to stay healthy throughout the season.
Rams announced 16 signings to their practice squad
Los Angeles recently announced they signed 16 players to their practice squad. Logan Bruss and Marquise Copeland headline the bunch, followed by veteran kicker Brett Maher who was a late addition.
