These few are standing out amongst the rest

We’ve heard a lot of noise coming from the first-team offense and defense, but what about beyond that? The Los Angeles Rams coaching staff has a tough task coming up on trimming the roster from 90 players to a 53-man roster. There’s an abundance of talent being displayed on both sides of the ball and players who you might not expect are having strong camps and impressing every day.

This could lead to some surprising cuts and could have players on the roster bubble who you may not think are there. The three that I am about to list have had their name brought up multiple times so keep an eye out during the preseason for these names.

1. DB Kareem Orr

This is a player you probably haven’t heard a lot about yet — though he was mentioned on TST twice recently for his recent training camp efforts — but is having as strong of a camp as anybody. He started his professional career being signed as an undrafted free agent with the Tennessee Titans in 2019 and appeared in seven games throughout two seasons. The odds were stacked against him going in undrafted but he took advantage of his opportunity and made the Titans roster two years in a row.

Orr had 12 interceptions in his college career, seven at Arizona State and five at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Being a ballhawk is one of the many traits that he’s been putting on display the past few weeks. With Robert Rochell recovering from wrist surgery and wearing a brace while playing, it may be important to keep multiple cornerbacks on the roster and Orr is making his case.

2. TE Johnny Mundt

Being on the Rams roster for five seasons now, you know what you’re going to get out of Mundt. Or do you? During training camp, the tight end has been making splash plays all over the field in the passing game connecting with Matthew Stafford on many occasions. The front office re-signed him in the offseason for a reason, they see his potential in many facets of the game.

He’s already one of the team’s best blockers and a special teams ace. Per Pro Football Focus, among all tight ends and running backs, Mundt ranked eighth in run blocking and 10th in pass blocking. He was also the highest-graded special teams player for LA in 2019. On top of all this, we could see an increase in production coming from the receiving end for the 2021 season.

3. OLB Justin Lawler

With the news coming out on Monday of Terrell Lewis’ knee “acting up” again, it opens the door for Lawler to have more playing time. During his college career at SMU, he gained first-team all-conference recognition as a senior as he compiled 74 tackles, 15.5 TFL, 9.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and three blocked kicks. For him to be having as strong as a camp as they mentioned, is encouraging for the team as they look for pass rush depth behind Leonard Floyd.

We still have several weeks to go and a full preseason for the coaches to make decisions, but having a strong camp can only help their case to acquire prominent roles with the organization.

I am projecting Mundt to make the final 53-man roster because of his importance to special teams. When it comes to Orr and Lawler, they’re fringe players who need to have strong training camps and preseason to have a shot. So far, they’ve taken advantage and are making the most out of it while in the face of adversity.