Barrett Jones Listed as St. Louis Rams’ Starting Center, Plus Other Notes from First Unofficial Depth Chart

With their preseason schedule opening on Friday against the Oakland Raiders, the St. Louis Rams released their first “unofficial” depth chart on Monday. This list isn’t necessarily indicative of anything that the Rams will actually do–you can get a better idea of those plans by measuring the number of plays that each player gets through the first few preseason games–but it does give just a small glimpse of how the few training camp practices that have taken place has affected the ideas of the Rams’ coaching staff. Here are a few key developments from the first depth chart:

• Third-year playerBarrett Jonesis listed as the Rams’ starting center on the initial depth chart. Head coachJeff Fisherpreviously expressed a desire to sustain the competition at center throughout the preseason, so Jones should by no means get comfortable just yet, but it is notable that he’s already dethronedTim Barnes, who was given the first shot to open camp.Demetrius Rhaneywas listed as the second-stringer at center, with Barnes as the third option ahead of undrafted free agent David Wang.
• Defensive linemanEthan Westbrooks, who was used mainly as a defensive end last season, has now bulked up a bit and is listed asMichael Brockers‘ backup at right defensive tackle. This could indicate that the Rams are prepared to carry just three true defensive tackles (Brockers,Nick Fairley, andAaron Donald) on their 53-man roster if undrafted rookie Louis Trinca-Pasat or fringe veteransDoug WorthingtonandMarcus Forstonaren’t up to the challenge. Westbrooks and backup endsWilliam HayesandEugene Simscould occasionally give the tackles a breather by rushing from the interior on passing downs.

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• After seeming to be a major cap casualty candidate earlier this offseason when the Rams signed free agentAkeem Ayers, linebackerJo-Lonn Dunbaris still listed as a first-team starter at right outside linebacker with Ayers as the backup. The listing of the right side ‘backer as a “starter” is a bit of a fallacy, anyway, since the Rams often run out of the nickel or with a sub package that features safetyMark Barronas a de facto linebacker, but nevertheless Ayers had been working ahead of Dunbar with the first team during previous training camp practices. It should be interesting to see how Ayers and Dunbar’s reps are divided during Friday’s preseason opener.
• LinebackerMarshall McFaddenis listed as a second-stringer behindAlec Ogletree. While the 29-year-old was released last season and demoted to the practice squad, it’s easy to see a scenario where he could make the team. He collected four special teams tackles in just five games last year and could be a major asset to the Rams’ kicking game if he displays the same all-out attitude that he did in 2014. McFadden will probably need to beat out rookie seventh-rounder Bryce Hager and returning special-teamerKorey Toomer, who is currently injured.

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• After being listed as a safety for the entirety of his rookie season in 2014, defensive backLamarcus Joyneris now grouped with the cornerbacks. It’s not a move that plays in his favor, however, as 2014 undrafted free agentMarcus Robersonis grouped withTrumaine Johnsonas a secodn-teamer, while Joyner is listed withBrandon McGeeas a third-stringer at cornerback. The Rams aren’t going to give up on Joyner anytime soon after trading up to get him in the second round of last year’s draft, but it certainly looks as if it will be difficult for him to get an opportunity now that two other players from his draft class, sixth-rounder and now-starterE.J. Gaines, along with Roberson, have passed him up.
• While it’s quite likely that the Rams will only carry five wide receivers on their initial 53-man roster, it’s nice to see that third-year playerEmory Blakehas progressed to the point where he’s listed on the two-deep depth chart. Blake joinsBrian QuickandChris Givensin being listed as a second-string receiver, so after spending two years on the Rams’ practice squad, maybe he can position himself to compete with Givens for a job or force himself on the active roster as a sixth receiver.

Next: Rams Release Terrence Franks, Sign Marcus Forston

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