Roster bubble: Which Los Angeles Rams could be a surprise trade or re

lease With the preseason wrapped up Deacon Jones Jersey , NFL teams are going to have to reduce their roster to 53 players. Players that have been making plays in the fourth quarters of preseason action might never lace up their cleats again. Sometimes, joy is followed by sadness, and that’s what will transpire over the next 24 hours and some as players will be released or traded.Throughout the preseason, I have highlighted true roster bubble players, rookies and new players on the Los Angeles Rams’ roster. Instead of talking about the slate of players that have been mentioned as trying to make the roster, it’s time to talk about veterans that could have played their last snaps on the Rams roster.LB Mark Barron (release or trade)Barron has been a surprise since he joined the Rams via trade in 2014 and transitioned into a linebacker. Barron is not an amazing technician, but he is a good tackler and was a good coverage linebacker. Last season, Barron grabbed three interceptions, four pass deflections and 86 total tackles.Releasing Barron would save the Rams $7m, and if he is traded it appears that the team would save $9m. I’m a big fan of Barron but I am encouraged by the play of the new inside linebackers such as rookie Micah Kiser and veteran Ramik Wilson With Cory Littleton calling plays on defense. The Rams would miss Barron. but maybe this is what would be needed to help clear the way for Aaron Donald’s return.RB Malcolm Brown (release)With the emergence of 2018 NFL Draft sixth-round rookie RB John Kelly, it wouldn’t surprise me if the Rams released the veteran and just went with Kelly and Justin Davis. Brown has been a fan favorite throughout his tenure with the Rams with his smash mouthbrand of football, but Kelly brings more to the table as a player as a potential threat in the passing game as well. The Rams could keep Brown, or they could have more depth on the DL or OL.S Lamarcus Joyner (trade)The Rams respected Joyner enough to deem him a franchise-caliber player designating their 2018 franchise tag towards the safety and allowing new Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Sammy Watkins to change the market at receiver.Joyner was a force in his first year as a starter at safety creating four turnovers Eric Dickerson Jersey , nine pass deflections and 49 combined tackles and ranked as an elite safety by Pro Football Focus grading out at a 90.3:If the Rams could find a trade partner for Joyner, it would increase their cap situation by more than $10m. However, finding a trade partner would be tough. If not traded, it is unlikely that he will be re-signed. On the other hand, if he has another solid season the Rams should be able to obtain a high compensatory pick for him in the 2019 NFL Draft.WR Josh Reynolds / WR Mike Thomas (release or trade)Both young wide receivers have flashed some talent, but that talent has not translated to the field in major quantities. Both players have a role as backup players on the roster and could be an asset if a starter such as WR Robert Woods goes down for an extended amount of time which given his history isn’t unthinkable. But do the Rams need both players on the roster? The team could likely gain a 6th- or 7th-round pick in a trade. There is a small possibility in one of them being released.DL Ethan Westbrooks (trade)Westbrooks has been a mainstay on the defensive line as rotational player since joining the Rams. He might be a notch below a starter, but he makes his mark on the field finishing last season with four sacks.The only reason to trade Westbrooks would be to acquire draft picks. With the depth on the defensive line, it would be interesting if the Rams decided to deal Westbrooks. Most NFL teams could use a player of his caliber, and it could result in a 4th- or 5th-round choice. Although it may be tough to imagine the Rams trading him, the team did trade former starting insider linebacker Alec Ogletree and pass rusher Robert Quinn.EDGE Ejuan Price (release or trade)Price is an interesting case. With ability to rush the passer in college, he battled injuries and made the Rams’ practice squad last year though he wasn’t really mentioned after.This preseason, he has been a stud. Price has been making the most of the preseason demonstrating the ability to rush the passer and showing he could develop into a solid rotational player. Teams need pass rushers. Although the Rams could keep him, Price is a player that is kind of on the bubble.Are there any candidates that I missed? Who do you think could be a surprise release or trade? Sound off in the comments. Todd Gurley probably would have won his first NFL rushing title last year if the Los Angeles Rams hadn't rested every key starter in their season finale.Gurley was sanguine about the decision at the time Marshall Faulk Jersey , saying all the right things about the bigger picture and the Rams' playoff goals.With Gurley in the NFL rushing lead again as the regular season heads into its final weeks, the superstar running back is telling the real story about the end of 2017."Yeah, I was lying," Gurley said with a laugh. "I really did care about the title. I couldn't say nothing. No one really plays for regular (season) goals, but that would be a pretty cool thing to get. I tell people that all the time: 'You play for team goals, but who wouldn't want to be the NFL sack leader? Who wouldn't want to be the NFL passing or rushing leader? It's hard to get it.'"This time around, Gurley is openly hoping he can get the first rushing title since 1987 for the Rams (11-1) 鈥?and their race for the NFL's best overall record might actually work in his favor. With Los Angeles in a tight race with New Orleans (10-2) for the NFC's top seed, the Rams might not be able to keep Gurley off the field in December.Gurley heads into Sunday's game at Chicago (8-4) with an NFL-best 1,175 yards, but just 26 more than Dallas' Ezekiel Elliott, the 2016 rushing champ. Gurley also leads the NFL with 1,649 all-purpose yards and 19 touchdowns after topping the league in both categories last season.Gurley is thriving again in his role as the centerpiece of coach Sean McVay's dominant offense, putting him in the running for a second straight AP Offensive Player of the Year award. But this lifelong NFL fan also understands the historic importance of a rushing title Nolan Cromwell Jersey , and he wants his name in the books beside the best running backs.Gurley went into Week 17 last season with the league rushing lead at 1,305 yards, but McVay decided a week of rest for the playoffs was more important than their last regular-season game against San Francisco. Kansas City rookie Kareem Hunt subsequently passed him with a 35-yard TD run on his only carry of the Chiefs' finale."Definitely wanted to get it last year, but whatever," Gurley said. "We didn't play in the last game. I'm just going to focus on these next couple of games, and whatever happens, happens. I'm just happy that we were able to clinch a playoff spot and just go from there."The Rams are already playoff-bound after beating Detroit last week, and they could clinch a first-round bye with a win over Chicago this Sunday. But even if they beat the Bears in chilly Chicago, the Rams are likely to be pushed down the stretch by New Orleans for home-field advantage in a potential NFC championship game matchup.That race means McVay is unlikely to rest his starters unless the Rams are guaranteed two home playoff games at the Coliseum. New Orleans already beat Los Angeles this season, so the Rams need to finish one game ahead of the Saints.McVay has another reason to rely heavily on Gurley: Malcolm Brown, Gurley's backup for all four seasons of both running backs' careers, is out for the year after injuring his collarbone last week. Gurley and Brown are close friends who lift weights and hang out together away from the Rams' training complex.Brown's replacements are Justin Davis and rookie John Kelly, two solid backs with little NFL experience. Gurley generally controls his own playing time on the field Kurt Warner Jersey , only leaving when he decides he needs a rest, but the Rams are even more likely now to lean on him in any key situation.Gurley realizes it isn't easy to be his backup, let alone a third-stringer. His 279 touches are second in the league to Elliott's 293 this season."It's pretty tough, because you're doing everything during OTAs and you're doing stuff in camp, and then it's like, if you're not a guy on the active roster, you're not really getting many reps at all," Gurley said. "I feel like those guys will be fine when they get in the game. They're definitely going to play, because I'm pretty sure I'll get tired a play or two."