Rams 53-Man Roster: Does LA Have Enough Tackles and Defensive Backs?
The Los Angeles Rams locked in their 53-man roster on cutdown day, and while the skill positions grabbed headlines, the real story is in the trenches and the secondary. After a preseason that tested depth at two critical spots, the big question lingers: did the Rams do enough at offensive tackle and defensive back to survive an NFL season? Let’s break down the numbers, the risk, and the hidden gambles. This isn't fantasy football; this is the brutal reality of a 17-game war, and Sean McVay is rolling the dice on two of the most unforgiving positions in the game. Is it genius roster construction or a house of cards waiting to collapse?
The Tackle Room: A High-Wire Act With No Net
The Rams kept just three true offensive tackles on the active roster: Alaric Jackson on the left side, Rob Havenstein on the right, and Warren McClendon as the lone backup. That’s it. No waiver-wire additions, no surprise veterans - just three guys and a prayer that the injury bug stays away. McVay spoke confidently on August 28, saying he feels "comfortable" with this group, but the numbers tell a different, more terrifying story for Rams fans who remember the 2022 season falling apart when the O-line got thin.
- Alaric Jackson is the anchor, entering his prime as a reliable blindside protector. He’s the one piece the offense can’t afford to lose. He’s been a rock, but if he misses time, the entire offensive scheme shifts.
- Rob Havenstein remains the steady veteran on the right edge, but at 30 years old, his durability is no longer a given. Every snap feels like a countdown clock.
- Warren McClendon is the wildcard. He missed the final two preseason games with a knee issue, yet the Rams kept him anyway - a clear sign they view him as a stash player rather than a ready-made contributor right now. Keeping an injured player on the active 53 is a massive gamble when you need every roster spot for depth.
Sean McVay is leaning on Joe Noteboom to be the safety net, listing him as a tackle/guard swing. But here’s the catch: Noteboom spent most of training camp at guard. Asking him to flip to tackle mid-game against a premier pass rusher like Micah Parsons or Nick Bosa is a terrifying thought for Rams fans. The team ranked 27th in pass-block win rate during the preseason, and while that metric is far from definitive, it screams caution. This isn't a unit that can afford to lose a starter for a single snap, let alone a month.
📊 3 True Tackles on 53-Man Roster - The Rams have fewer pure tackles than any other NFC contender, betting everything on the health of their two starters.
The bottom line: If Jackson or Havenstein goes down for multiple games, the Rams are one injury away from a crisis. They’re betting on health, not depth. And in the NFL, that's the riskiest bet you can make, especially when your quarterback is at his best when he trusts his protection.
| Player | Position | Role | Concern Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaric Jackson | LT | Starter/Anchor | Low (Health is key) |
| Rob Havenstein | RT | Starter/Veteran | Medium (Age & durability) |
| Warren McClendon | OT | Backup | High (Knee injury in preseason) |
| Joe Noteboom | OL | Swing T/G | High (Primarily played G in camp) |
Defensive Backs: A Deep Rotation or A Crowded Mess?
On the flip side, the Rams kept eleven defensive backs - the most of any position group on the roster. That’s an intentional pile-up of talent, and it gives defensive coordinator Chris Shula options. But volume doesn’t automatically equal quality, and this group has its own question marks. McVay called this secondary "the deepest we've had since 2021," and on paper, he might be right. But paper doesn't stop slant routes.
