Our two-day look at NFC West rosters continues with projections for the St. Louis Rams' defense and special teams.
Defensive linemen (13)
Average number kept since 2003: 8.8
Safest bets: Chris Long, Michael Brockers, Kendall Langford, Robert Quinn
Leading contenders: William Hayes, Eugene Sims, Darell Scott, Matt Conrath, Jermelle Cudjo
Longer odds: Trevor Laws, Jamaar Jarrett, Cornell Banks, Scott Smith
Comment: The Rams have three relatively recent first-round draft choices starting on the line, plus Langford, a free-agent addition from Miami. The position should be a strength for years to come. Brockers and Langford give the team needed bulk in the middle. It's tough to know what the new coaching staff thinks about some of the other talent. Hayes received a $100,000 roster bonus, an indication the team has hopes for him. Sims and Scott each played more than 20 percent of the defensive snaps last season. Cudjo was on the roster but did not play.
Linebackers (10)
Average number kept since 2003: 6.3
Safest bets: James Laurinaitis, Jo-Lonn Dunbar
Leading contenders: Rocky McIntosh, Mario Haggan, Josh Hull, Aaron Brown, Sammy Brown, Alex Hoffman-Ellis
Longer odds: Justin Cole, Noah Keller
Comment: Laurinaitis is the only mainstay player at the position. Dunbar projects as a starter after the Rams paid a $1 million signing bonus to him in free agency. McIntosh and Haggan are veteran newcomers with starting experience. They're stopgaps until the Rams can address the position next offseason. It's looking like at least one undrafted rookie linebacker will stick on the roster.
Defensive backs (14)
Average number kept since 2003: 8.2
Safest bets: Cortland Finnegan, Darian Stewart, Quintin Mikell, Janoris Jenkins, Trumaine Johnson, Craig Dahl, Bradley Fletcher
Leading contenders: Matt Daniels, Josh Gordy, Jerome Murphy
Longer odds: Kendric Burney, Quinton Pointer, Jeremy Caldwell, Rodney McLeod
Comment: Secondary depth is vastly improved, and not just through improved health. Fletcher was arguably the most promising cornerback on the roster last season. Now, it's tough to know whether he fits into the team's long-term plans. Depth at safety might be better than it appears. The Rams had a high enough grade on Daniels to give him a $10,000 signing bonus as an undrafted free agent from Duke.
Special teams (4)
Average number kept since 2003: 3.1
Safest bets: Greg Zuerlein, John Hekker, Jake McQuaide
Leading contenders: Tom Malone, Garrett Lindholm
Longer odds: Travis Tripucka
Comment: McQuaide, the snapper, is back from last season, but this group lacks experience overall. Zuerlein was a sixth-round pick. Hekker was an undrafted free agent. The Rams wanted better directional punting than Donnie Jones provided, particularly after watching Patrick Peterson score twice on returns last season.