Los Angeles Rams preseason questions after Chiefs preseason opener
The first preseason game against the Chiefs sharpened several Los Angeles Rams preseason questions that will influence final roster decisions and how coaches allocate special-teams reps in the remaining exhibitions.
My analysis pulls from the game tape and reporting at Turf Show Times while focusing on personnel cues that directly affect scheme and cut-day math.
Key Takeaways
- Brennan Presley led the Rams in receiving yards in the preseason opener and also handled a kickoff return, creating a clear special-teams opportunity.
- Stetson Bennett recorded the lowest Pro Football Focus grade on offense in the game, which reduced the early-camp edge he had over Ty Simpson.
- Ronnie Rivers sat out the opener while Jarquez Hunter produced an 11-yard outside run but otherwise saw limited snaps.
- Dean Connors was identified in camp as a receiver-capable back who could also handle return duties, giving him a multi-phase profile to monitor.
Punt returner and Presley opportunity
Xavier Smith remains the Rams’ primary punt returner despite past turnover issues and limited offensive snaps in camp reports.
The preseason game included a longer Smith return, and the staff has continued to give him the main role rather than immediately opening wide competition on game days.
Brennan Presley returned kicks in the opener and led the team in receiving yards, which creates a low-risk avenue to evaluate him on special teams without sacrificing his offensive development.
Quarterback battle status between Bennett and Simpson
Early practices showed Stetson Bennett with a camp lead over rookie Ty Simpson, but tape and grading in the opener narrowed that separation.
On game day Bennett earned the lowest PFF grade on offense, a measurable negative signal for a veteran competing for standing in a crowded room.
Ty Simpson completed the game without throws over 20 yards while displaying mobility and velocity on shorter, on-the-move throws, which keeps the tape balanced when comparing immediate performance to developmental upside.
Running back competition and roster signals
Jarquez Hunter produced an 11-yard outside run early in the game but otherwise played sparingly, which limits the sample evaluators have from live action.
Ronnie Rivers sat out the opener, an availability pattern teams often use for players viewed as probable roster locks, reducing game-day opportunities for younger backs.
Dean Connors showed a camp profile as a receiver-capable back who could translate athleticism to returns, placing him in the multi-role category that often gains preference during roster cuts.
Running back and returner comparison
| Player | Visible preseason role | Notable preseason signal | Roster role implication |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xavier Smith | Primary punt returner | Maintained primary return job and produced a longer return in the opener | Special-teams incumbent with minimal offensive usage shown |
| Brennan Presley | Receiver who returned a kickoff | Led the team in receiving yards in the preseason opener | Candidate for added special-teams reps while remaining an offensive option |
| Dean Connors | Receiver-capable back and camp standout | Identified in camp as a multi-phase candidate who could handle returns | Multi-role profile that can factor into 53-man flexibility decisions |
| Jarquez Hunter | Backup running back with limited game snaps | Broke an 11-yard outside run but otherwise played sparingly | Spotty live-action sample increases scrutiny on roster day |
| Ronnie Rivers | Veteran running back | Sit-out of the first preseason game | Availability pattern consistent with a secure roster projection |
SEC roster construction implications
NFL roster signals that prize multi-role players and special-teams contributors matter to how teams trim to 53 can influence how SEC prospects are evaluated by pro scouts and front offices, especially those with return experience or receiving chops out of the backfield.
For college players in the SEC, the Rams’ approach reinforces why demonstrating utility across phases can be as important as raw production when projecting NFL roster fit and early-career opportunities.
