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The Los Angeles Rams’ roster is loaded with talent. They have the reigning MVP in Matthew Stafford, as well as the best receiver duo in the NFL with Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. They also traded for Myles Garrett, who is arguably the best player in the NFL and certainly the best defensive player, and there are even rumors that three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald could come out of retirement to re-join the team.
With so much talent on the roster, Les Snead is going to have some tough decisions to make when it comes to trimming the roster down to 53 players. So, which Rams are on the chopping block as cut candidates ahead of training camp?
Colby Parkinson, TE
With 43 receptions for 408 yards and eight touchdowns, Colby Parkinson led all Rams tight ends in pass catching statistics across the board last season, and for a team that lacked depth at receiver, he operated as a much-needed third option in the passing attack. Despite that, Parkinson has regularly been rumored as a cut candidate throughout the offseason.
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Moving on from Parkinson would save the team $5.5 million against the cap. Plus, the Rams already have plenty of replacements. Tyler Higbee has been with the team since 2016 and can be relied upon as a steady veteran. Higbee was consistently healthy until the last two seasons, so if he can stay on the field, he may be able to get back to producing big numbers. The team also has Terrance Ferguson and Max Klare, tight ends drafted in the second round of back-to-back drafts over the last two years.
The Rams have tons of youth at tight end, and they want to develop them and see what they have in their recent draftees. As the longest tenured player and a team leader, Higbee likely isn’t going anywhere, either. That leaves Parkinson in a weird spot in the middle. He can certainly thrive given a big role again this year, but it may become more likely that Los Angeles moves in a different direction at tight end.
Stetson Bennett IV, QB
The Rams didn’t let Stafford’s recent MVP win prevent them from addressing the future of the quarterback position. While the MVP may still have a few good years left, especially with his stacked receiving corps, the Rams still decided to select Ty Simpson in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
While Simpson has his fair share of doubters, and he was arguably a questionable draft choice for a team looking to contend now, Los Angeles’ decision to draft him 13th overall proves they believe in him as their long-term franchise player. The presence of an MVP-caliber quarterback and a first-round rookie QB makes Stetson Bennett expendable.
The two-time collegiate national champion seemed to be better suited for the college game than the professional level, and he has yet to take a regular season snap. It is hard to find practice reps for multiple quarterbacks, and Bennett’s status as a low priority for the team going forward could lead to him being cut. Many teams only roster two QBs, and the Rams’ talent at the position makes it seem like they will be one such team this year.
Emmanuel Forbes, CB
The Rams completely revamped their defense over the offseason. Most drastically, they made huge improvements at cornerback by bringing in Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, both of whom had championship experience with the Kansas City Chiefs. The cornerback additions pushed a couple of defensive secondary players down the depth chart, including Emmanuel Forbes.
The 2023 first-rounder of the Washington Commanders was applauded as a talented prospect coming out of Mississippi State, but his slight stature was worrisome to many scouts. Concerns were validated, as the Commanders waived their high draft pick less than two seasons into his career.
The Rams claimed the young cornerback, and he started 14 games for the team last season. They already signaled that he isn’t a part of their future, though, not just with the offseason additions they made, but because they declined his fifth-year option, making him a free agent after the 2026 season. Los Angeles may decide to move on even before then. Forbes is a highly aggressive cornerback who gambles for interceptions, and that might not be what the team needs this year. Instead, the Rams need cornerbacks who can hold their own until Garrett, a player who just broke the single-season sack record, can get to the opposing quarterback. With Forbes reduced to a backup role, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Rams decided to cut him after training camp.
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