Updated Rams 53-Man Roster Projection:

Wide receiver (6):Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, Jordan Whittington, Konata Mumpfield, Xavier Smith, CJ Daniels.

Nacua and Adams hold the top two spots. Whittington and Daniels have impressed, both battling for No. 3, open after Tutu Atwell's free-agent departure. Whether the Rams pick a clear-cut winner or rotate the spot is worth watching.

Tight end (5): Colby Parkinson, Tyler Higbee, Terrance Ferguson, Davis Allen, Max Klare.

The Rams have the deepest tight end room in the NFL, fitting for the 13 personnel McVay ran last season. If that continues, five tight ends likely make the roster.

Offensive line (9): Alaric Jackson, Steve Avila, Coleman Shelton, Kevin Dotson, Warren McClendon Jr., David Quessenberry, Beaux Limmer, Justin Dedich, Keagen Trost.

Last season's starting five remain together. Jackson is on a rest schedule for leg blood clots, and Dedich has missed practice with a hand injury, testing whether the backups on the edges and interior can produce when needed.

Myles Garrett headlines a retooled Rams defense

Defensive line (6): Kobie Turner, Poona Ford, Braden Fiske, Tyler Davis, Tim Keenan III, Ty Hamilton.

Turner and Ford captain the defensive line. Fiske brings versatility, playing across multiple schemes. Hamilton needs a consistent, strong stretch of practices to stand out in a crowded room of defensive linemen.

Outside linebacker (4): Myles Garrett, Byron Young, Josaiah Stewart, Desjuan Johnson.

Garrett looks even better than advertised in his first camp with the franchise. Young is still managing a nagging knee issue but is expected to line up opposite Garrett, rushing opposing quarterbacks.

Inside linebacker (4): Nate Landman, Omar Speights, Shaun Dolac, Grant Stuard.

Landman is the leader of the group, with Speights close behind in production. Special teams performance will likely determine the final roster spots for the rest of the room.

Cornerback (5): Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson, Emmanuel Forbes Jr., Josh Wallace, Al'zillion Hamilton.

McDuffie and Watson headline the group as outside upgrades, with Forbes Jr. providing insurance. Wallace projects to start in the slot/hybrid role. The main concern: depth, at a position prone to injuries.

Safety (4): Quentin Lake, Kam Curl, Kamren Kinchens, Jaylen McCollough.

Lake, Curl and Kinchens headline the group, each bringing versatility and flexibility to defensive coordinator Chris Shula's multiple scheme.

Special teams (3): Harrison Mevis, Ethan Evans, Joe Cardona.

Mevis remains the kicker with no real competition behind him, and Evans is the punter. Long snapper Joe Cardona was signed to fix a special teams unit that struggled with blocked kicks last season.

This projection does not include the potential return of Aaron Donald, something head coach Sean McVay says is trending upward. The Rams' three preseason matchups — against the Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Chargers, beginning Aug. 15 — will determine the final cuts.