Rams 53-man roster prediction: Who makes final cut?

There is no exact science to creating a 53-man roster.Ninety different players show up to training camp, and nearly half of them know that they will not make the final cut.That’s the cruel part.

Over the span of five weeks, all 32 NFL teams have to reduce their roster by 37 players.For the Rams and every other team, those decisions have to be made by Sunday.General manager Les Snead and coach Sean McVay must make the difficult decisions that will transform a locker room full of NFL dreams into a lean, mean 53-man team.Some players who are cut will make it on other teams.

Others will negotiate to be on the practice squad if they clear waivers, and some may never play in the NFL again.For Los Angeles, however, the decisions are different.This is a roster built to win the Super Bowl this season.And somewhere outside the building, Aaron Donald hovers over everything like an impenetrable cloud.The Rams are still waiting for Donald’s decision on a potential comeback.

Meanwhile, possible NFL discipline involving WR Puka Nacua and OL Alaric Jackson could eventually force another roster shuffle.So, the Rams 53-man roster could change again after Sunday.Quarterbacks (3)Matthew Stafford, Stetson Bennett, Ty SimpsonThere’s no mystery over who stays.The question is who backs up Stafford in Australia.McVay has refused to choose between Bennett and Simpson, but his actions suggest Bennett remains QB2.

Bennett received most of the second-team work throughout camp and frequently stepped in when Stafford rested.Then he didn’t play against the Chargers while Simpson started.McVay treats preseason playing time like evidence at a crime scene.

The players he needs in September usually aren’t anywhere near it.Simpson impressed in the preseason, but the rookie isn’t Stafford’s backup yet.But that day is coming.Running backs (3)Kyren Williams, Blake Corum, Ronnie RiversThe Rams essentially made this decision Thursday when they traded Jarquez Hunter to Miami for Tutu Atwel...