Rams Offensive Line

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Pupped

Pupped

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Best performing unit since the Super Bowl year.. they have really, really meshed.
HOW they constructed this line is wild.. and the draft investment is truly incredible.
2 fifth round picks, one fourth round pick and one second round pick... that's the draft capital the Rams have used to aquire their current five starters. Yes, they're spending money.. but not overspending.
It's an incredible success story and they're crushing it in both phases... and now have 2 RBs who understand the blocking scheme and are talented enough to take advantage of it.

Especially notable? Alaric Jackson. Some people assume these guys take a step back in their effort when they get paid.. well.. AJ got his money and is producing his best season yet as a tackle. A freaking UDFA at that position on a good value contract. Yes, the blood clots are a thing.. but his play is excellent.

I just want to give this unit props for being so damn good this season.. which is critical with a 37 year old QB.

I do think they'll need to invest a higher pick in a tackle this offseason who can be a starter, eventually... and It's always good to draft for depth/development in the mid-rounds.

But... again, for this year? What a hell of a job they're doing.
 
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I am one of those that wants investment in the O line more than anything else. O line seems to go against the standard template of high draft picks equal success. It seems most team's top Oline talent is 3rd round and beyond..........not many Orlando Paces out there anymore.
 
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Da-Rock said:
I am one of those that wants investment in the O line more than anything else. O line seems to go against the standard template of high draft picks equal success. It seems most team's top Oline talent is 3rd round and beyond..........not many Orlando Paces out there anymore.
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I'm not sure about this.
Most of the top lines seem to have one or more first rounders.. and absolutely have a much higher draft investment than the Rams.

Colts, for example.. Go 1, 3,4,3,2..
Denver's offensive tackles were both first rounders.

I think the template idea that tackles need to be drafted high is still very much real.. but the Rams found a diamond in Jackson that they were able to develop.. same with McClendon. It's just rare to have one 5th round pick and a UDFA at tackle and be very, very successful.
 
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I'm thinking that this group just needs a bigger, bad-ass player at center, and maybe a little more depth with versatile guys, and it's set.
We seem to be getting along for the most part with Shelton, but I'd rather he was a depth guy rather than the starter.
 
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Pupped said:
I think the template idea that tackles need to be drafted high is still very much real.. but the Rams found a diamond in Jackson that they were able to develop.. same with McClendon. It's just rare to have one 5th round pick and a UDFA at tackle and be very, very successful.
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I suffer from a persistent sense of dread that Jackson will have those blood clot issues resurface. Maybe that doesn't happen. Maybe he starts for us for the next three years or more and doesn't miss a game. But I don't like that hanging over the team.

So for myself if I felt in any draft that there is an OT with good feet who may be able to develop into a LT, then I would take him.

Now with this draft and if we end up selecting at let's say 7th overall, I wouldn't be comfortable reaching for either of the OTs at the top of the class. But I really like Fano and our OT room sure would look a ton better with him slotting in as our swing OT behind Jackson and McClendon. And I am assuming here that the Rams will come to some sort of agreement with McClendon, because Hav is done I think. So OT is a need.

If they don't get McClendon done, however, then OT becomes a greater need. Meaning they need to position where they can get one of those guys at some sort of value without too much risk of someone jumping ahead of them. So I imagine they get him done and then they can play the BPA approach first round which is always best.
 
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I guess I look at things in more "simpleton terms" - Matthew Stafford has only been sacked 17 times (only Bo Nix has been sacked less), and we are top ten in rushing yards. Without getting into the way deeper metrics, this tells me that our O-Line is playing at the level we need to keep winning.
 
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funny...

I always thought the Rams OL has played well this season. Certainly we could use quality back up OL's but what we currently have has done quite remarkable.

I remember getting slammed on another Rams "Popup Ad" Forum about defending the Rams OL and how they protected Stafford more than well enough.
 
Merlin said:
I suffer from a persistent sense of dread that Jackson will have those blood clot issues resurface. Maybe that doesn't happen. Maybe he starts for us for the next three years or more and doesn't miss a game. But I don't like that hanging over the team.

So for myself if I felt in any draft that there is an OT with good feet who may be able to develop into a LT, then I would take him.

Now with this draft and if we end up selecting at let's say 7th overall, I wouldn't be comfortable reaching for either of the OTs at the top of the class. But I really like Fano and our OT room sure would look a ton better with him slotting in as our swing OT behind Jackson and McClendon. And I am assuming here that the Rams will come to some sort of agreement with McClendon, because Hav is done I think. So OT is a need.

If they don't get McClendon done, however, then OT becomes a greater need. Meaning they need to position where they can get one of those guys at some sort of value without too much risk of someone jumping ahead of them. So I imagine they get him done and then they can play the BPA approach first round which is always best.
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I'm in line with this thinking, 100%.

Ignoring the Jackson thing would be foolish, imo.. but the good news is it's absolutely time for them to re-invest in the tackle position. I think I'd be happy with them drafting someone in the 2-3 rounds this coming year.. as long as nothing dramatic happens with Jackson or McClendon to change my mind.

I'm curious to how Limmer is developing. Physically... he's just a great IOL prospect... maybe it'll click. The NFL is hard and not everyone gets it right away, obviously.
 
I really am not dumping on Alaric...Dude has played excellently with his condition. Family members of mine have died from blood clots that have broken away and went into their lungs. Hopefully, this never happens to Alaric Jackson, but I also wouldn't be surprised if our LT came to work one day telling the team that doctors had strongly advised that he retire for his health's sake.
I also remember when the Rams were stuck with Noteboom at LT for a while, not knowing if he would last a full game before injury. You can't always trust landing a great veteran like Big Whit that played until 40 years old. We need a young, healthy Orlando Pace clone in the first round.IMO.
 
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Its amazing the way the OL as a whole is performing. It's a testament to the scouting department's abilty to find talent and the coaching staff's ability to teach and develop talent.

I'd like to see strong investment in the OL this draft.

OT - everyone has covered the bloodclot issue with AJ. It would be nice to get someone in the 2nd or 3rd round that can develop into a starting LT down the line and be a swing OT now.

I don't prefer to see them make a 1st round investment here since I feel other positions need it more, but I wouldn't complain if they did invest that early.

C/OG - As much as I appreciate what Shelton has done this year in settling the OL down as far as communication and pass pro calls, I think he can be upgraded from a physical talent standpoint.

Further, Avila and Dotson will be free agents after the 2026 season.

Id like to see them draft a round 2 IOL with the versatility to start at either C or Guard.

Next year he could push Shelton for the starting job, or be a critical backup at several interior spots, and/or be ready to take over a starting guard spot in 2027 for whoever they don't resign between Avila and Dotson.
 
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Having some pro bowl linemen would be nice. But if you don't have that a line with good chemistry is just as good. And that is something they have. We didn't care for the Shelton signing at the time, but that mighta been the best move they made for the line.
 
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dieterbrock said:

View: https://x.com/QBsMVP/status/1998103192660300289?s=20
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You never hear his number called for a penalty either. I saw that he's has ONE over his last 13 games played.
He rarely gives up sacks, and very few pressures as well. McClendon is usually matched up against one of their best edge rushers too.
I don't even have to think about him most of the game.
And that's great.
Because I've already got enough shit to worry about on game day. :dizzy::helmet:
 
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Not to take away much from our good O line, but Stafford really does make it easy on whoever is there. Having a veteran QB who has seen it all and has a quick release makes it easier on the Oline.............but we all remember the 5 win season where the Rams were starting practice squad players by the dozen and Stafford missed half a season with injury!
 
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