Rams vs. Chiefs preseason: 5 players to watch at Arrowhead
Kickoff at Arrowhead Stadium turns the Rams vs. Chiefs preseason opener into an immediate evaluation for several players trying to move the needle on roster status.
Stetson Bennett IV is slated to start while Ty Simpson will receive extended snaps, and young offensive and defensive pieces will use live reps to press for depth, as noted by Los Angeles Rams Official.
Key Takeaways
- Stetson Bennett IV is slated to start the Rams’ preseason opener and will use live reps to continue his development.
- Ty Simpson received most of his significant training-camp reps with the second team while Matthew Stafford rested and will get an extended preseason look.
- Coaches will use preseason game action to evaluate younger players’ consistency, special-teams value, and readiness for roster roles.
- Cam Lampkin, Keagen Trost and CJ Daniels are players to watch who can show positional versatility and fight for depth roles.
Preseason quarterback opportunities
Stetson Bennett IV will start the preseason opener and translate first-team camp reps into live-game evaluation at Arrowhead Stadium.
Ty Simpson took most of his meaningful practice snaps with the second team while Matthew Stafford rested, and the extended preseason minutes will provide coaches a first extended live look at his processing and decision-making.
CJ Daniels worked primarily with the backup quarterbacks in camp, positioning him to see early snaps and compete against rotational defenders in game action.
Young defenders and offensive-line rotation
Cam Lampkin opened camp with a pass breakup on the first day and an interception on the second day, and he also brings prior special-teams experience from playing in four games as a rookie in 2024 before spending the following season on the practice squad.
Keagen Trost rotated in at tackle with the first-team offense during a joint practice and spent much of camp with the second unit, giving the staff multiple looks at his positional fit.
What to watch from Lampkin and Trost
For Lampkin, the key will be converting practice takeaways and disruptions into consistent coverage and special-teams value in live reps.
For Trost, evaluators will monitor his alignment and technique across different spots on the line to determine whether he can serve as a true multi-position depth piece.
Training camp roles and notable plays
| Player | Camp role | Notable plays and preseason expectation |
|---|---|---|
| Stetson Bennett IV | First-team reps in camp | Slated to start the preseason opener and translate first-team work into game reps |
| Ty Simpson | Second-team reps while Stafford rested | Set to receive an extended live look after taking most meaningful reps with the twos |
| CJ Daniels | Worked primarily with backup quarterbacks | Expected to see early rotational snaps and compete for backup roles |
| Keagen Trost | Rotated at tackle with first-team during joint practice | Preseason will clarify his positional versatility along the offensive line |
| Cam Lampkin | Practice standout with special-teams experience | Built camp momentum with a pass breakup and interception and seeks to earn game reps |
SEC roster-construction parallels
Using preseason reps to sort depth and determine special-teams contributors mirrors roster-construction priorities that college programs manage ahead of conference play.
SEC coaches also prioritize positional flexibility and game-tested depth when assembling rosters, which aligns with the Rams’ focus on evaluating younger players in live action.
