Is Rams David Edwards an offensive tackle or guard?

Is LA Rams David Edwards an offensive tackle or guard?

In LA Rams News: The LA Rams draft may be a bit complicated. You see, the Rams must decide if David Edwards is a guard or a tackle.

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Is Rams David Edwards an offensive tackle or guard?​

The LA Rams are facing another NFL Draft. With it comes another set of unresolved questions about the current and future state of the team’s offensive line. A year ago, it seemed as though the team was facing far more questions and far less certainty. And yet, the Rams rolled up their sleeves and dove into the draft undaunted by those OL concerns. That worked out okay for the team, didn’t it? But everyone was convinced that the team needed to pour draft picks into offensive linemen.

Instead, the Rams chose some offensive skilled players and some defensive types. But the LA Rams would only draft one offensive line, offensive tackle Tremayne Anchrum, in the seventh-round. One offensive tackle and he was projected as an NFL guard. That made sense, as the Rams were in need of interior offensive linemen, and they enjoyed a surplus of offensive tackles.

Or do they?

David Edwards was an offensive tackle for the Wisconsin Badgers who was drafted by the LA Rams with the 169th pick (round five) of the 2019 NFL Draft. Standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 308-pounds, he certainly had the prototypical size for an NFL offensive tackle. His draft profiles were in agreement. Strong and powerful. Slow foot speed. Poor pass blocking technique. He was hastily promoted to start for the Rams at offensive guard in 2019 due to numerous injuries.

But in 2020, he was again forced to sub in as an offensive guard. And even when the team had the option to put him back on the bench, he remained the starter. So now, the question is, is he an offensive guard or tackle?

It’s an important question because in 2022, the Rams project to lose both Joseph Noteboom and Austin Corbett. Noteboom is an offensive tackle who played at both the guard and tackle positions for the team in 2020. Corbett is the team’s sole ‘pure’ interior offensive lineman who starts at right guard. And the answer dictates what the Rams do in the 2021 NFL Draft.

If Edwards is a tackle, then the Rams will look to draft at least one interior offensive lineman. If Edwards is a guard, then flip that, and aim the Rams at an offensive tackle. The team has nearly a full room of returning offensive linemen, but their roles are a bit ambiguous for the time being. And that glaring hole at the center position is tough to ignore.

Is Edwards a guard or a tackle? While it may not seem to be that important, the answer could reshape the Rams 2021 NFL Draft strategy.

 

[ScotsRam]

Maybe it's just me but positional versatility, particularly on the O-line, is a strength to me rather than a weakness.

Draft the best damn O-linemen you are able to and worry about specific positions later.

 

[Juice]

Maybe it's just me but positional versatility, particularly on the O-line, is a strength to me rather than a weakness.

Draft the best damn O-linemen you are able to and worry about specific positions later.

I agree with this whole heartedly. The fact that Edwards stayed as the starter proves his versatility, and eagerness to play/preform. Draft the best versatile o lineman at your pick and hope he is coachable. unless, of course, the best player is a center.

 

[den-the-coach]

Edwards struggled at tackle in his senior season, but he had a bad shoulder and played through it, so that could have been a major reason. I like him inside, gets a good push, plus does a nice job in pass protection, which is his strength.

You watched that against Green Bay, his replacement Bobby Evans did a better job in the run game, but the Rams truly missed Edwards in pass protection and that led to Goff being under constant duress.

 

[Merlin]

Yeah not having Edwards sucked vs Green Bay. I think he is fine at both OG spots and would probably be fine at RT.

But I would leave him at LG because he will probably be a top player there this season.

 

[Merlin]

I do think it is possible they go LT at 57 and then play him at OG year one. Assuming a guy they think can play at LT is there.

 

[snackdaddy]

Edwards might be ok at tackle. But Noteboom seems better suited for that spot than he is at guard. Edwards is a better guard than Noteboom in my opinion. If Whitworth goes down again I think we're better off with Noteboom at LT and Edwards at guard than the other way around.

 

[WestCoastRam]

I do think it is possible they go LT at 57 and then play him at OG year one. Assuming a guy they think can play at LT is there.

I thought I read that we've got some contracts on the OL coming up too. Whit is gone next year, I think maybe Corbett's contract is up, so is Notebroom. I don't see how we don't draft a LT/OG and a center in this draft.

 

[BonifayRam]

David Edwards is a versatile starting NFL OL'er.

He has been the primary starter @ LG & RG since midway through his rookie season...highly unusual for the 5th rd draft selection. Edwards is now in his 3rd season & an established starting NFL OG. Edwards over 6-6 height will always make things more difficult for him playing OG in the run game, particularly when lined @ RG when lined up to take on the much short stouter NT's.

There has been no demand to utilize Edward's Skills & Abilities @ RT. Edwards is over 6-6 & weighs much more than the listed 308 pounds. There is very little to no difference in size between the 6-8 330 plus pound starting RT Rob Havnestein & Edwards when they stand next to each other.

I would keep Edwards starting @ LEFT OG this season for the plus pass protection of Stafford. I do believe fully that Edwards would be just as good or if not better if he were to start @ RT post, if that was warranted.

What would be a much better topic ....."What is Bobby Evans an OT or OG" .....now this forum could have some serious debates & discussions..... On Edwards, that question is already well known.

 

[Merlin]

I thought I read that we've got some contracts on the OL coming up too. Whit is gone next year, I think maybe Corbett's contract is up, so is Noteboom. I don't see how we don't draft a LT/OG and a center in this draft.

I honestly have zero idea what they'll do. Last year I was certain they'd draft OL and I was wrong. This year there's every reason to think that again but the Rams trust their staff's projections so maybe they like someone there at center and maybe they like someone at LT.

But I'm with you that I think if a LT they like is there he's the pick. Question is who do they like. Eichenberg is a guy I love at that 57 range (nice consistency) but his own coach said he's a RT in the NFL because of his arms. There's a lot of options though so I'm just gonna wait to see who they draft then nuke some film so I can get a feel for what it is they're looking for.

Lastly I will say the OL coach change makes me think an influx of talent in the draft at the OL is more likely. Because it wasn't long ago that Kromes was talking up their internal options at LT to include Anchrum. So maybe McVay disagreed. Maybe he wants a true LT of the future. That's what makes this draft so interesting IMO is that they could go so many ways. I could see a trenches draft. Or a skill position and DB draft. Or maybe we get a TE and some specific fills. I'm really excited to see what they're going to do because it's going to tell us what they think of the roster strengths.

 

[leoram]

David Edwards is a versatile starting NFL OL'er.

He has been the primary starter @ LG & RG since midway through his rookie season...highly unusual for the 5th rd draft selection. Edwards is now in his 3rd season & an established starting NFL OG. Edwards over 6-6 height will always make things more difficult for him playing OG in the run game, particularly when lined @ RG when lined up to take on the much short stouter NT's.

There has been no demand to utilize Edward's Skills & Abilities @ RT. Edwards is over 6-6 & weighs much more than the listed 308 pounds. There is very little to no difference in size between the 6-8 330 plus pound starting RT Rob Havnestein & Edwards when they stand next to each other.

I would keep Edwards starting @ LEFT OG this season for the plus pass protection of Stafford. I do believe fully that Edwards would be just as good or if not better if he were to start @ RT post, if that was warranted.

What would be a much better topic ....."What is Bobby Evans an OT or OG" .....now this forum could have some serious debates & discussions..... On Edwards, that question is already well known.

Bobby Evans is best a backup because if we are counting on him as a starter, we haven't upgraded the line well enough to maximize what Stafford can be as a Ram. His position should have no consequence to what players the Rams should draft.

 

[Ram65]

For now, Edwards seems solid at LG and could get much better. Let's see if the Rams keep cross-training the offensive lineman. It is possible that Edwards could eventually shift to RT if need be.

 

[Merlin]

For now, Edwards seems solid at LG and could get much better. Let's see if the Rams keep cross-training the offensive lineman. It is possible that Edwards could eventually shift to RT if need be.

Yeah and I expect Edwards to be a Pro Bowl level LG this year. So re: moving him if it was me that ship sailed when they didn't move Hav to garner cap relief. And it will work in our favor because Edwards should really be at the top of his game this season.

 

[RhodyRams]

NO-ONE TOLD ME THERE WOULD BE A TEST !!!!

 

[BonifayRam]

For now, Edwards seems solid at LG and could get much better. Let's see if the Rams keep cross-training the offensive lineman. It is possible that Edwards could eventually shift to RT if need be.

No reason to think that Edward's learning progress & efficiency will not continue to move the needle towards "much better". Another element I would like to insert here is Edwards was fighting through a very aggravating & painful Achilles injury over the last quarter of the season. This injury eventually took Edwards out before the regular season ended.

That's the reason he gave way to where 2020's 6th OL'er Bobby Evans got most all the snaps if not all the LG snaps in the two playoff games.

I find it interesting that it was Kromer push for starting Joseph Noteboom to start the 2019 & 2020 season @ LG only to give way to David Edwards then Austing Corbett then back to Edwards to start @ LG. Even Snead made some very positive remarks that the young David Edwards was most likely to remain the Rams starting LG for some time...that they thought this was his best OL position where he could be most successful at.

 

[BonifayRam]

Bobby Evans is best a backup because if we are counting on him as a starter, we haven't upgraded the line well enough to maximize what Stafford can be as a Ram. His position should have no consequence to what players the Rams should draft.

I would not disagree with you that Evans was our best versatile BACKUP OL'er in 2020. I have seen nothing from him on the field to make me think he is at the point where he could possibly push RT Havenstein, LG Edwards, LT Whitworth, or RG Corbett out of their OL positions IF they remained in the same starting positions they played last season.

I know many here @ ROD do see Evans as a starting OG this season IF Corbett is moved to center. I do not. If Havenstein was traded during or soon after the draft his position would be the best possible bet for Evans to start...RT.

 

[Merlin]

I know many here @ ROD do see Evans as a starting OG this season IF Corbett is moved to center. I do not.

I want to see more from Evans too before I talk about him as a starter. Fact is there's a big gulf from Edwards (who is our best OL after Whit) to him. Evans has been up and down and that's not a terrible thing but he has to get better this offseason and in camp to win a job on this line.

Also if the Rams draft a guy like Green or Meinerz the competition on the interior gets REAL. Even if they draft an LT of the future in fact because he'll probably get to compete year one at OG.

And if they were to load OL this draft, like say their LT of the future at the top and then an iOL, things are even more competitive. Which I would love. Competition drives better performance across the board and hopefully our new additions would gel by around midseason with the rest of the dudes and enter the playoffs on a major roll.

 

[BonifayRam]

I want to see more from Evans too before I talk about him as a starter. Fact is there's a big gulf from Edwards (who is our best OL after Whit) to him. Evans has been up and down and that's not a terrible thing but he has to get better this offseason and in camp to win a job on this line.

Also if the Rams draft a guy like Green or Meinerz the competition on the interior gets REAL. Even if they draft an LT of the future in fact because he'll probably get to compete year one at OG.

And if they were to load OL this draft, like say their LT of the future at the top and then an iOL, things are even more competitive. Which I would love. Competition drives better performance across the board and hopefully our new additions would gel by around midseason with the rest of the dudes and enter the playoffs on a major roll.

We did not see much competition in our OL in 2018/2019 or 2020 with Kromer The Ol was set early before pre-season began in 2019. We saw Noteboom return to LG after a total failure early in 2019.

Your 2nd top-rated OL'er (David Edwards) was not seen as a starter over Noteboom for 2 seasons by Kromer.:facepalm:

Maybe Kromer was just way too much time involved in trying to cross-train the hell out of the entire OL unit. When you have a wingspan close to 84 inches, very long arms & long thin calves the size of a WR like Noteboom those things just do not work well playing OG in the NFL.

 

[Merlin]

Your 2nd top-rated OL'er (David Edwards) was not seen as a starter over Noteboom for 2 seasons by Kromer.:facepalm:

Which was a ridiculous call by Kromer. Which is partially why he's no longer our OL coach IMO.

Boom is a backup. He has zero strength Boni. I don't care how long his arms are or how well he runs the 40. He can't stay on assignment. Maybe he'll finally get over that hump but he's a FA after this season which means that ship has sailed.

Rams have to determine who their LT is going forward. Maybe it's Evans idk. But it's not gonna be Boom I can guarantee you that.

 

[oldnotdead]

The article says Edwards was profiled by evaluators "in agreement" that David was slow-footed. I tend to agree with the evaluators that see his foot issues as coachable as they are largely technique related. David has the traits you look for in a RT in the NFL. He's not a LT at this level.

David's length is an issue at OG as at that position he needs to play low to gain leverage. His lapses in his blocking at OG reflect that issue. I believed when he was drafted he was a 2 yr developmental RT to replace Havenstein. I still believe that is where he's destined. Remember who it was that played him at OG, Mr. Kromer, whose inability to develop young o-line players is why he was kicked upstairs to clear the way for Carberry.

Matt Miller is usually fairly close to reality in his evaluations. Here is what he says about Edwards.

STRENGTHS

—Immediate impact at right tackle. Three-year starter at Wisconsin.

—More agile than you would expect a right tackle from Wisconsin to be. Played quarterback and tight end before becoming a tackle.

—Fires off the ball to cross his opponent's face and reach the next level.

—Has played at a high level in multiple blocking schemes.

—Finishes off opponents when he gets his hands on them.



WEAKNESSES

—Shoulder injuries were a problem at Wisconsin.

—Still developing as a pass-blocker.

—A short kick-slide may keep him on the right side of the line in the NFL.

—Lacks anchor against physical pass-rushers

Edwards has had 2 years to develop and now has game experience. He is the reason I see Havenstein as expendable this year. It's also why I see Noteboom as Whitworth's successor when he finally retires.

IMO with Corbett, Shelton, Evans and even Anchrum they have their 4 OG's. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if Corbett and Shelton or Evans are the starting OGs this year.