Alaric Jackson Looks Like Real Deal

[Kupped]

I think Jackson could be the future at LOT. In fact I sort of predicted he would replace Boom and emerge this season (See Below).
"A player I am really high on is AJ Jackson. Noteboom has a history of injuries so I think Jackson will be called upon at some point in the season and I think he will deliver and elicit discussion about whether Noteboom should get his job back." Link:
https://ramsondemand.com/threads/wh...-2021-and-who-will-in-2022.67439/post-1607185

Getting a player like Jackson as UDFA is an absolute steal. Quality Left tackles are very hard to find. Even with Jackson I think the Rams should invest some premium draft capital in a OT. Boom is injury too prone and although I am fan of Havenstein, he is aging out and probably does not have the longevity of Whitworh in his genes. Another vaule Jackson provides is postion Flexibility. He played pretty well at Right guard and he could also be an option at right tackle as well.

The decision on Noteboom will be interesting. If they keep him another year.. what role does he have? Is he just quality depth? Or does he move back to LT with Jackson next to him at LG?
If that's the route they choose.. maybe they develop Arcuri for another year, I just don't know.
They'll be returning:
Havenstein
Bruss
Anchrum
Allen
Shelton
Jackson
Noteboom
Arcuri

That's 8

They still have control of Pitcher, if he can be something.. Brewer too, I think.

I think they draft at least one Lineman.. and I'd go with two.. one a true Center prospect...

 

[Riverumbbq]

The decision on Noteboom will be interesting. If they keep him another year.. what role does he have? Is he just quality depth? Or does he move back to LT with Jackson next to him at LG?
If that's the route they choose.. maybe they develop Arcuri for another year, I just don't know.
They'll be returning:
Havenstein
Bruss
Anchrum
Allen
Shelton
Jackson
Noteboom
Arcuri

That's 8

They still have control of Pitcher, if he can be something.. Brewer too, I think.

I think they draft at least one Lineman.. and I'd go with two.. one a true Center prospect...

Whether Jackson is the phenom we are all hoping for, I'm not quite ready to crown him just yet.
I've expressed a belief that Noteboom will return to his starting position next year, he's under contract and McVay seems reluctant to take jobs away from guys hit by injury. Developing the OT's we have remaining on the roster and adding another OT thru the draft seems a pretty wise move, and moving/trading Noteboom after the 2023 season won't carry such a dead money CAP burden. Brian Allen is in the same boat, if just a hangnail causes another missed game, he may also become trade fodder after 2023.
I have us drafting an OT, OG and a Center in my mock for next season, let's reload this unit asap.
jmo.

 

[Kupped]

Whether Jackson is the phenom we are all hoping for, I'm not quite ready to crown him just yet.
I've expressed a belief that Noteboom will return to his starting position next year, he's under contract and McVay seems reluctant to take jobs away from guys hit by injury. Developing the OT's we have remaining on the roster and adding another OT thru the draft seems a pretty wise move, and moving/trading Noteboom after the 2023 season won't carry such a dead money CAP burden. Brian Allen is in the same boat, if just a hangnail causes another missed game, he may also become trade fodder after 2023.
I have us drafting an OT, OG and a Center in my mock for next season, let's reload this unit asap.
jmo.

The good news is that whether we're crowning him today or not, we have the better part of a season to actually evaluate Jackson... hopefully.
A lot of this is if/then conjecture... if Jackson keeps playing well and improving? Then it gives the Rams options. I'm a little confused as to how much the Rams could save in cutting Noteboom before next season. At this point.. the Rams would not likely have a backup LT and would have to solve that problem.
If you bring back Boom... I say you draft a real Center.. and a real Guard. You'll have some versatility already built in with the starters.. So having guys as backups who can play multiple positions won't be as big a deal, imo.

 

[BonifayRam]

I could easily see that plus draft a stud Center.

I could honestly not care any less what these guys did PRIOR in their careers in certain situations and I'm only interested in what they can do RIGHT NOW to make this o line better.

Let the rest of the guys fight it out in Camp again but I'm almost done with Brewer and Noteboom.

I am not against this thought Soul Surfer but the Rams have Brian Allen & Coleman Shelton under contract in 2023. Neither of these current centers is breaking the salary cap bank. BA is also under contract for 2024.

I know that BA is damaged goods & was still limited in practice this past week with that damaged knee. BA has proven he is NOT dependable to be healthy as a starting OC in the NFL. Then there's CS, he gets his first chance to actually start & play & he ends up joining BA after starting 4 gms & remains on the IR at this time. Again adding to the current OL mess. This future OC situation is not healthy & nobody can claim it's a good plan to go into 2023 with.

One might want to bring up OC's Matt Skura & Jeremiah Kolone but I would not bring them into any future plans myself. I would not depend on OL'ers who have not done well in the past yrs in the NFL thinking they can magically be depended on in the future.

However, the OC situation is much better than what McVay has @ OG unit in 2023. Rams have 2 OG's under contract Bruss/Anchrum in 2023, and both of them have spent this season on the IR. Anchrum has been on the IR for 2 straight seasons. Edwards, Aboushi, Brewer & Evans are UFA's. This is a much bigger issue. I have big questions about Carberry going into the future........

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

I am not against this thought Soul Surfer but the Rams have Brian Allen & Coleman Shelton under contract in 2023. Neither of these current centers is breaking the salary cap bank. BA is also under contract for 2024.

I know that BA is damaged goods & was still limited in practice this past week with that damaged knee. BA has proven he is NOT dependable to be healthy as a starting OC in the NFL. Then there's CS, he gets his first chance to actually start & play & he ends up joining BA after starting 4 gms & remains on the IR at this time. Again adding to the current OL mess. This future OC situation is not healthy & nobody can claim it's a good plan to go into 2023 with.

One might want to bring up OC's Matt Skura & Jeremiah Kolone but I would not bring them into any future plans myself. I would not depend on OL'ers who have not done well in the past yrs in the NFL thinking they can magically be depended on in the future.

However, the OC situation is much better than what McVay has @ OG unit in 2023. Rams have 2 OG's under contract Bruss/Anchrum in 2023, and both of them have spent this season on the IR. Anchrum has been on the IR for 2 straight seasons. Edwards, Aboushi, Brewer & Evans are UFA's. This is a much bigger issue. I have big questions about Carberry going into the future........

Sucks we still don't know what we have in Anchrum. Had hopes for him.

 

[BonifayRam]

Sucks we still don't know what we have in Anchrum. Had hopes for him.

Yes I did have big hopes for him.

What we do know is:

A). When we see Tremayne Anchrum on the field again, he will be in the last year of his 4 yr contract.

B). ... that in 3 seasons as a drafted Ram OL'er TA was able to get just 2 snaps with the offense. In the 2nd snap, he broke his lower leg.

C). .... in the 2021 preseason, TA injured his knee & was placed on the IR & returned to be active for the last two regular 2021 season games saw no snaps. In addition, TA did not play in any 2020 regular season games either.

D)......when the 2022 preseason began TA was fighting for a reserve OL position on the MR 53 roster spot Edwards, Shelton, Evans & Bruss were all ahead of him in the OG unit. That does not cause any real hope to be a factor in the future does it.

E). If Anchrum was able to elevate his game to be a starting OG in 2023 it would be likely @ the LG post. Rams would need to be grooming another OL'er to fill his position after the 2023 season, making Anchrum no better than a short-term answer to this team OL needs.

 

[dieterbrock]

Seemed to me that the sacks/pressures predominantly came right up the middle, but I'm curious to know if any were on Jackson? I dont have the stomach to watch the game again

 

[Kupped]

He's out for the season with blood clots.
First off.. I hope he's okay.. because if they're sitting him for the rest of the season for that, there's got to be some major health concerns.

From a football perspective.. some of the worst news for the Rams this season. They won't be able to develop him more and see what he is AND.. what if this is something they can't get control of?

Disaster upon disaster this season.

 

[Merlin]

The one silver lining from this season just evaporated. What a nightmare.

 

[Memento]

He's out for the season with blood clots.
First off.. I hope he's okay.. because if they're sitting him for the rest of the season for that, there's got to be some major health concerns.

From a football perspective.. some of the worst news for the Rams this season. They won't be able to develop him more and see what he is AND.. what if this is something they can't get control of?

Disaster upon disaster this season.

We're officially fucked.

 

[Kupped]

I hope no one is offended by me bringing this back to life.. I just didn't want to start a new Alaric Jackson thread and felt like it was good to see our perspectives on him previously.

His overall PFF grade is pretty mediocre.. but his pass blocking has been solid.

Where are we at?

There doesn't seem like a good option in FA next season.. and the Rams could keep him and Noteboom again.

I feel like a premier Edge, Corner or DL would be a priority over LT, based on Jackson's current performance level.. while understanding he could keep getting better.

I think drafting another LT in the 3rd round would make sense.. but I'm not interested in spending a first rounder at this point.

 

[Corbin]

I hope no one is offended by me bringing this back to life.. I just didn't want to start a new Alaric Jackson thread and felt like it was good to see our perspectives on him previously.

His overall PFF grade is pretty mediocre.. but his pass blocking has been solid.

Where are we at?

There doesn't seem like a good option in FA next season.. and the Rams could keep him and Noteboom again.

I feel like a premier Edge, Corner or DL would be a priority over LT, based on Jackson's current performance level.. while understanding he could keep getting better.

I think drafting another LT in the 3rd round would make sense.. but I'm not interested in spending a first rounder at this point.

I just got to say I’m tired of the Glassman Noteboom and Jackson is I hired a lot as well. Time to find a younger, available LT and if that’s in the first round F it. I still have a feeling we might go QB at this point though.

 

[JonRam99]

LT is always a good pick. But boy do the rams need an upgrade at C, unless Shelton develops there.
TOP need is at OLB / Edge. GOT to provide more pressure to help out our CB's.

 

[Ram_Rally]

I hope no one is offended by me bringing this back to life.. I just didn't want to start a new Alaric Jackson thread and felt like it was good to see our perspectives on him previously.

His overall PFF grade is pretty mediocre.. but his pass blocking has been solid.

Where are we at?

There doesn't seem like a good option in FA next season.. and the Rams could keep him and Noteboom again.

I feel like a premier Edge, Corner or DL would be a priority over LT, based on Jackson's current performance level.. while understanding he could keep getting better.

I think drafting another LT in the 3rd round would make sense.. but I'm not interested in spending a first rounder at this point.

I agree with you. Having an average right tackle with another cheap year on his contract is just fine. If he breaks out next year or continues to be solid, you keep him. But we need edge and corner help pretty badly I think.

 

[Kupped]

LT is always a good pick. But boy do the rams need an upgrade at C, unless Shelton develops there.
TOP need is at OLB / Edge. GOT to provide more pressure to help out our CB's.

I don't argue with getting another LT prospect, I just don't see the need as urgent, or the difference between this team and a contender. I do see the lack of pass rush and a little better corner play as being the difference.

I guess I feel Shelton has been serviceable? But, wouldn't argue with drafting one in the 4th or later next year.

I am curious about what they do with that first rounder. I'm in the school of trading down.. unless something falls into your lap that you can't say no to.

 

[WestCoastRam]

I would argue that a lot of this is a mental exercise right now without knowing all the variables like who's gonna be in the draft, when we pick, what we did in free agency (rarely does a good LT prospect become avail there).

I think Jackson gives us flexibility to go after a LT or not. Other than having a stud LT, that's the next best thing.

I think Shelton's done quite well this season, no need to replace him with resources that can be spent on more important positions (as far as importance of position, center is really middle of the pack and I'd argue that return on investment at center is pretty low unless you hit on a top 5 guy). Drafting a developmental replacement for him next year is not a bad idea though.

 

[OldSchool]

Real deal would be run blocking too. And stay healthy. It would be nice if he was real though.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I would argue that a lot of this is a mental exercise right now without knowing all the variables like who's gonna be in the draft, when we pick, what we did in free agency (rarely does a good LT prospect become avail there).

I think Jackson gives us flexibility to go after a LT or not. Other than having a stud LT, that's the next best thing.

I think Shelton's done quite well this season, no need to replace him with resources that can be spent on more important positions (as far as importance of position, center is really middle of the pack and I'd argue that return on investment at center is pretty low unless you hit on a top 5 guy). Drafting a developmental replacement for him next year is not a bad idea though.

That replacement may be on the practice squad already. McCallister was pretty good in college.

It could also be Avila in a few years.

Shelton played well in all but the Eagles game. The Ragles DLine has the size and athleticism to cancel Shelton out.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I think Aleric is playing pretty well. It helps him to be next to Avila, but still he’s doing pretty good. He’s no Trent Williams though.

If the Rams want an OLT in round 1 then this is a good draft to pick one. If they want a QB in round 1 then this is also a good year to draft one.

I’ll be surprised if they go Left Tackle. I hope they take a QB of the future. But Corner, DT, and edge seem to Trump OLT at this point imo. But it’s early, a lot can happen between now and draft day.

 

[Riverumbbq]

I see Alaric Jackson as a slightly better than average OT/OG, ... if we had a superior product he'd likely be relegated to the top swing position, but we don't and he's over performing for a UDFA developmental prospect. I had him pegged as a 6'th rounder and mistakenly assumed the Rams might draft an OT higher, figuring Bruss was probably destined for an OG job. How things change !
The Rams have OT depth behind a seemingly secure (temporarily) Havenstein, ... Jackson, Bruss, Noteboom, McCLendon & Arcuri, so we aren't pressed at the position this year. Ideally, Jackson would transition to a swing role if I get my wish of drafting our new and future LT next year, although that might come across as a demotion to him, ... it could also present a blueprint for moving him into the starting RT position, making Havenstein our best trade bait in years.
For me, Noteboom is an immediate trade candidate once he returns, his $20M. CAP hit next season is ridiculous, and we could use the extra money for our own free agency period.
jmo.