On Wednesday afternoon, the Los Angeles Rams released their first depth chart ahead of the 2026 preseason and regular season. The depth chart always should be taken with a grain of salt considering teams are still conducting their evaluations ahead of preseason matchups. However, a depth chart can serve as a measuring stick and provide fans with some insight as to what the Rams may be thinking with their strategy, personnel, etc. Here are a few takeaways from the Rams depth chart release…
1. Stetson Bennett is the back up to Matthew Stafford.
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Fans might have been hoping for Ty Simpson to be further along in the pecking order but the Rams are clearly taking his development at a controlled pace. Simpson will likely get the bulk of the preseason snaps with him landing on the third string
2. First Team Rotation at Tight End
The Rams do not have a favorite at tight end, although Colby Parkinson is probably the guy. The team opted to list all four returning tight ends under the first string. Max Klare, the team’s second round rookie was on the second string. Davis Allen is still nursing a quad injury that he suffered at the beginning of training camp.
3. Punt Returner Solution Resolved?
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Xavier Smith, not Kyren Williams was listed as the team’s punt returner. Konata Mumpfield was listed as the second string. Kyren Williams was not even listed. Was KW simply trying out a week ago? Does this mean Xavier Smith’s job is safe? Who knows…
4. Linebacker Pecking Order
Omar Speights still appears to still be Nate Landman‘s running mate as Shaun Dolac was listed as Nate Landman’s backup. Stuard was listed as the second string behind Speights.
5. EDGE Rush
Undrafted free agent Wesley Bailey was listed on the 4th string. He had received hype before training camp as a candidate to make the roster as an undrafted free agent. However, he has his work cut out for him as Keir Thomas II and Tomon Fox are ahead of him.
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6. Jarquez Hunter Stock Down
The Rams 4th round draft choice from the 2025 NFL Draft is listed with the 4th string…not exactly a ringing endorsement for the second year player. It would have been more welcoming to see his name listed alongside of Ronnie Rivers on the third team.
7. No Aaron Donald…Yet
The Rams legend is not yet signed to the roster. Still things could change in a matter of 24 hours…as it is expected that Donald could officially rejoin the team this week.
There are no real surprises for the Rams depth chart. Teams are unlikely to give away any more information as they want to protect their assets for when they have to cut players. Retaining players on the practice squad is a key method in today’s NFL.
The Rams have never been a team to overzealous with their depth chart release so any major news from a depth chart release should be tempered for now.
