Preseason football is here, which means the Los Angeles Rams‘ first depth chart of 2026 has also arrived. They released their initial unofficial depth chart of the summer on Wednesday, giving a little bit of insight into how the roster is looking before final cuts on Aug. 30.
There are no real surprises (Matthew Stafford is still QB1!) but there are some things we can take away from it. We got a little bit of expected clarity at QB2, four tight ends are listed as starters and a 2025 fourth-round pick is buried on the depth chart at running back.
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Here are six key takeaways from the Rams’ first depth chart.
4 co-starters at tight end
Nate Scheelhaase said recently that he doesn’t expect one tight end to emerge from the pack as the workhorse, and the depth chart certainly illustrates that. The Rams put two starting tight end spots in their lineup, and at each of them, there are two co-starters: Tyler Higbee or Davis Allen on one side, and Colby Parkinson or Terrance Ferguson at the other.
That makes four starting tight ends, showing the Rams’ commitment to 13 personnel – and their reluctance to reveal any sort of pecking order.
It’s been believed all along that Bennett is the favorite to back up Matthew Stafford, and the depth chart confirmed as much. Bennett is listed as the No. 2 quarterback behind Stafford, with Simpson being the third-stringer. Matthew Caldwell rounds out the group as QB4.
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Bennett simply has more experience and has performed better in NFL settings than Simpson, which gives him an advantage in the eyes of the coaching staff. It’s hardly surprising, and it also doesn’t mean Simpson is behind in his development after only one training camp.
Could Hunter be in danger of getting cut? His roster spot certainly does not seem secure, especially after being listed as the No. 4 running back behind Ronnie Rivers. It’s possible the Rams will keep four running backs, given Rivers’ special teams value, but there’s also a chance they’ll go with only three on their initial 53-man roster.
That could put Hunter, a 2025 fourth-round pick, on the chopping block. He’ll need a strong performance in the preseason.
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Wallace was technically a safety last season, though he played exclusively in the slot during the regular season. He’s once again listed as a cornerback despite having great position flexibility, slotting in ahead of Lampkin at the position.
Wallace is primarily a nickel defender in the “star” role behind Quentin Lake and Trent McDuffie, while Lampkin mostly plays outside. Wallace has been expected to make the 53-man roster, whereas Lampkin still needs to earn his spot on the team.
Bubba Ventrone mentioned Williams as one of the team’s many options on punt returns, along with Xavier Smith. But on the initial depth chart, Williams’ name isn’t listed at punt returner. Instead, it’s Xavier Smith as the starter, with Mumpfield backing him up.
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On kick returns, Jordan Whittington is the top guy and Rivers is behind him. This doesn’t mean the Rams won’t use Williams from time to time, but it also doesn’t look like he’s their primary option.
Keagen Trost listed at right tackle
Trost offers excellent versatility on the offensive line, with Sean McVay saying after the draft that he’s capable of playing all five positions. The Rams only listed him at one spot on the depth chart, though, indicating that right tackle is his best position.
He got first-team reps at that spot during the joint practice opposite David Quessenberry at left tackle, so it’s becoming clearer that the Rams view Trost as a tackle first and a guard second. Quessenberry is still seen as Jackson’s backup on the left side, but Trost brings value at right tackle behind Warren McClendon Jr.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: 6 takeaways from Rams’ first depth chart: 4 starting TEs, clarity at QB2
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