When you have 90 players on a roster to start the preseason, everybody is out there for a different reason. Some guys are looking to prove they deserve to start. Others are fighting for a spot on the 53-man roster. Star players will use it as a time to work themselves back into playing form. On the opposite end of the spectrum, camp bodies with no chance of making the roster will be trying to earn a look from other teams or a spot on the practice squad.

For the majority of the roster, the first preseason game is a big deal. It’s a time to shine against real NFL players. Even if the best of the best aren’t out there, this is where teams work out the fringes of their roster and get a feel for how the depth chart will play itself out.

The first preseason game doesn’t mean everything record-wise. But it certainly means a lot for plenty of players on the team. Here are five guys who need to prove themselves and shine in Oakland later this week.

WR KhaDarel Hodge

Injuries led to Hodge being called up from the practice squad to the main roster early last season. A big reason Hodge was even on the practice squad to begin with was his stellar play in the preseason. Hodge was easily the most impressive Ram on the offensive side of the football last August, and his incredible reception on a lofty Sean Mannion deep ball was the play of the summer for the Rams.

KhaDarel Hodge with a hell of a catch with a defender draped all over him. Peep the OL doing a great job too. pic.twitter.com/AqOBC9qKsS — Sosa K (@QBsMVP) August 18, 2018

Unfortunately for Hodge, he didn’t get much of a chance to prove himself last season, and is right back on the roster bubble again. The Rams are loaded at receiver. With Robert Woods, Brandin Cooks, Cooper Kupp, Josh Reynolds, and return specialist JoJo Natson locked into roster spots, it’s likely that the team only keeps one more receiver to round out a six-man core.

Fourth-year wideout Mike Thomas seems to be the early favorite after a stellar camp so far. Both Thomas and Hodge will be receivers to watch this preseason. Hodge needs to deliver another incredible summer to force the Rams into a tough decision.

It’s possible that the team would keep both guys, but it seems unlikely given how strong the top four receivers are.