https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2019/01/03/nfl-rams-offensive-line-rankings-2018-pff/
PFF ranks Rams' offensive line 6th best in NFL for 2018 season
By: Cameron DaSilva
It’s no coincidence that the Los Angeles Rams have been far more efficient, explosive and consistent since revamping the offensive line in 2017. Jared Goff has turned into a Pro Bowler and Todd Gurley is the reigning Offensive Player of the Year, partly thanks to the play of the big men up front.
For most of the season, it was the best unit in the league. However, John Sullivan’s play has fallen off, Andrew Whitworth has slowed down a bit at left tackle and Rodger Saffold had trouble with the likes of Fletcher Cox.
Still, the Rams’ offensive line earned
high marks from Pro Football Focus, which ranked it sixth in the NFL this season. The teams ahead of the Rams are the Steelers, Browns, Colts, Patriots and Eagles.
After such a hot start, the Rams offensive line getting exposed over the second half of the season was one of the more significant reasons for their offensive lull. Most notably, center John Sullivan’s play fell off a cliff down the stretch. After allowing four pressures through the first seven games, he allowed 32 over the last nine. Still, it’s one of the few lines in the NFL to have five starters play over 1,000 snaps.
None of the Rams’ offensive linemen made the Pro Bowl or PFF’s All-Pro team, but Rob Havenstein was deserving of both honors. He was the third-highest rated tackle in the NFL by PFF’s standards and did a phenomenal job blocking many of the league’s best pass rushers.
Saffold is still wildly underrated at left guard, though that could change this offseason if he signs a big contract in free agency. Whitworth is a known commodity, while Austin Blythe is an unsung hero after replacing Jamon Brown.
It wasn’t a perfect season by the Rams’ offensive line, but it was still a very impressive one.
