The Rams ended one crowded position battle by trading corner Josh Gordy to Indianapolis for a future draft pick, leaving Cortland Finnegan, Janoris Jenkins, Trumaine Johnson, Bradley Fletcher and Jerome Murphy as roster locks.
But uncertainty remains at many positions, both for roster spots and starting jobs. The team will make a first round of cuts by Monday, following Saturday night’s preseason game in Dallas.
One painful cut could be fan favorite Danario Alexander, the big-play wide receiver who starred at Missouri.
- Danario Alexander (WR, 3rd year, Caught 38-yard TD in his NFL debut, averaged 16.0 yards per catch) -- Alexander has undergone five knee surgeries dating to his college days, and a persistent hamstring injury has his career in jeopardy. He participated early in camp, but is expected to miss his third straight preseason game Saturday. Brandon Gibson, his main competition for the sixth WR spot, returned from his own hamstring ailment this week. “Gibby” caught everything thrown his way, and showed good chemistry with QB Sam Bradford.
- Aaron Brown(LB, 7th round pick out of Hawaii made 103 tackles as a senior) -- The 6-1, 225-pounder earned early praise from coach Jeff Fisher for his special teams work, but Brown only has a shot if the Rams keep seven LBs. Brown “sure looks small for the position,” Post-Dispatch beat writer Jim Thomas noted, adding Brown “got wiped out near the goal line on a short TD run by Indy in Game 1.” Brown is competing with impressive undrafted rookie Alex Hoffman-Ellis for that potential seventh LB spot.
- Ovie Mughelli(FB, 2010 Pro Bowler was cut by Falcons in May) -- Mughelli is a pure lead blocker who fits the power-running scheme favored by Fisher and OC Brian Schottenheimer, but he’s yet to unseat Brit Miller, who’s still running with the first team. Miller is a fourth-year player who also plays special teams. If the Rams don’t keep two fullbacks, Miller’s versatility could be the deciding factor.
Get more Rams updates and analysis from Larry Hartstein @CBSSportsNFLSTL.
