The Los Angeles Rams enter a pivotal weekend with 10 roster-bubble players eyeing one last chance to secure a spot ahead of the Tuesday cut to 53. In Cleveland, the competition spans every unit from backfield to cornerback, with the final preseason game shaping depth and special-teams roles. Cody Schrader’s late push at running back sits alongside Ronnie Rivers’ precarious outlook as he recovers; Britain Covey battles for punt return duties and a meaningful offensive role behind Xavier Smith, while up-front KT Leveston and Justin Dedich anchor an OL group that remains unsettled. The defense features Desjuan Johnson and Desjuan Johnson’s surge at DT, and Shaun Dolac could overtake a vet for a fifth linebacker spot. Derion Kendrick and A.J. Green are in a crowded cornerback room, each needing strong tape to secure a depth role. Willie Lampkin’s versatility also warrants attention as he recovers from an injury, with Brennan Jackson and Nick Hampton in the mix for edge duties. The Browns test will reveal who truly earned a spot on the final 53, and which players can contribute beyond Week 1 as fantasy values and depth pieces.

Missouri’s football alumni are turning preseason into a proving ground across the NFL, with Tigers pushing for 53-man spots from Jets to Rams and beyond. Armand Membou in New York looms as a potential Week 1 starter at right tackle, while Brady Cook and Harrison Mevis dive into Jets camp and the board in Green Bay and Chicago alike. Luther Burden III has begun to carve a role with the Bears, and Darius Robinson is chasing a starting defensive-line gig in Arizona. Cody Schrader flashed a touchdown-capable skill set for the Rams, Theo Wease Jr. and Larry Borom joined the Dolphins’ and Dolphins’ depth charts, and Tyler Badie plus several UDFA Missouri grads fill crowded backfields and practice squads. The Tigers’ NFL pipeline remains a steady fantasy/DFS storyline as rosters shake out, with multiple Tigers contributing early in 2025 and many more eyeing breakouts as August cuts loom.

Los Angeles used its backups to turn the Rams’ preseason opener into a confident victory, 31-21, over Dallas on a night when the Cowboys rested their starters too. Stetson Bennett carved out a strong case for a spot on the 53-man roster with precise passes, mobility, and composure, capitalizing on solid protection from an energized line. The Rams’ depth shined everywhere else, especially at running back, where Cody Schrader, Jarquez Hunter, Blake Corum, and Jordan Waters piled up hard runs and a touch, signaling a potential four-back rotation behind Kyren Williams.

Xavier Smith showed why he’s in line for a roster spot, contributing as a receiver and return man, while Josaiah Stewart pressed for a larger role with his pressure and sack presence as a third-edge option behind Verse and Young. TheBig picture: the O-line bought Bennett time, the RB corps looked versatile and dangerous, and the defense showed just enough edge to keep fantasy rosters entertained through the early matchups. Two Rams duds—Shaun Jolly and Mario Williams—indicate who might be fighting for the final spots, but the broader performance arc was overwhelmingly encouraging for the depth chart and fantasy sleepers alike.

LA Rams opened the 2025 preseason with a 31-21 win over Dallas at SoFi Stadium, highlighting a blend of young playmakers and efficient QB play. Nate Valcarcel led the defense with nine total tackles, while Josaiah Stewart delivered the Rams’ lone sack in the second quarter. Blake Corum seized the No. 2 RB spot on the night, punching in two early rushing TDs to fuel a quick 14-0 lead. Stetson Bennett looked poised, finishing 16 of 24 for 188 yards, two TDs, and an INT, guiding two sustained first-half drives and distributing scoring passes to Schrader and Presley in the fourth. Brennan Presley added a late score, capping a strong debut for a rookie pass-catcher. The Rams leaned on a mix of veterans and rookies, testing deeper combinations and outlining potential fits as roster battles heat up into the regular season.

The four standouts—Valcarcel, Stewart, Corum, and Bennett—each delivered signals about where the competition in Los Angeles may land. Valcarcel’s tape showed range and hustle with nine tackles and a deflection; Stewart flashed pass-rush ability as Rams’ only sack; Corum showed vision and goal-line burst; Bennett demonstrated accuracy and composure under camp pressure. Presley’s TD capped a promising night for Rams receivers as the team balanced run and pass on early possessions and mapped out how the offense could evolve with added depth in the backfield and receiving corps.

Stetson Bennett opened 2025 with a strong Rams debut, guiding five scoring drives and tossing two fourth‑quarter TD passes in a 31‑21 win over Dallas. He finished 16 of 24 for 188 yards, showing command of Sean McVay’s offense and delivering accuracy at multiple levels, including a critical fourth‑down completion to Xavier Smith that set up Blake Corum’s early rushing scores. An interception in the third quarter loomed, but was magnified more by Israel Mukuamu’s ball skills than by Bennett’s decision. The night was a confidence boost, both for Bennett and Los Angeles, as the Rams balanced the run with play‑action and timing throws. It’s tape that Rams brass will study intently as they map out Bennett’s future beyond 2025, and it provides fantasy managers with a clearer read on the Rams’ offense and its target distribution.

Corum started the scoring spree with two early rushing TDs, giving Bennett easy first reads and opening the field for play‑action to his receivers. Schrader finished a late drive with a nine‑yard TD, Presley added a fourth‑quarter score, and Xavier Smith flashed at multiple levels, helping Bennett attack both the middle and the edges. The Rams’ balance around this QB‑centric sequence is promising for fantasy, especially if multiple pass‑catchers maintain involvement. Bennett’s comfort in McVay’s system and the group’s versatility suggest a favorable ceiling for Week 2 and beyond, even as competition and game plan evolve into 2026 discussions.