Future NFL OT thread: we need one regardless

[fanotodd]

If we’re looking at potential left tackles in the third round, Anthony Belton (North Carolina State) is an intriguing option. Huge kid (6’6” 335 lbs.), immense mean streak, dominant run blocker. Still a bit of a work in progress with pass sets, but has potential there as well.

I like that idea—nabbing a Tackle in the 3rd, possibly freeing up our 1rst rounder for a CB.

When you think about it, the Rams could easily go into ‘25 with both AJ and Havs in place. I doubt Havenstein retires (unless the Rams win the SB) and AJ could be tagged, if not re-signed. This would allow the Rams to draft somebody who might need a season of “finishing school.”

Edit:
Merlin, I just read your post after posting mine. Guess I coulda saved my breath! Lol.

 

[methomas50]

I'm having a really hard time on Jackson. Six weeks ago I would have said we gotta suck it up and take the OT due to him missing the first two games for some BS, the blood clots, and just not really being a LT who can grow into a great blindside protector. But now I am not sure. Of late he has played through some injury, and he's been our best lineman.

Funny thing is why haven't the Rams signed him yet. It isn't like them to screw around with guys they want to keep. So it feels to me like the Rams don't trust him, but that might change depending on this next month or so of games.

I could see this going either way tbh. But if the Rams elect to get after a LT in this draft up high I am all for it. Just hope that if they go that route it means they already locked up Higgins in FA so we will have explosive outside the hash threat. Then defense rest of the way in the draft I would hope.

Whatever happens I would make Jackson play on the tag at a minimum. That way even if we draft an LT we have him to start until the kid comes online.

I wonder if the Rams are suspicious of AJ because he has seemingly gotten it together in a contract year? Guys that play their best in contract years always make leery.

 

[Merlin]

I wonder if the Rams are suspicious of AJ because he has seemingly gotten it together in a contract year? Guys that play their best in contract years always make leery.

Yes I have to think they are a bit suspicious. Boom wasn't expensive but he was a mistake that hurt the bottom line. Now it's a similar situation, although Jackson is better than Boom ever was.

The allure of signing Jackson is being able to add another weapon up high in the draft. Or a top corner. Things that make this team a lot better. Whereas the LT generally aren't big impact year one. If you recall Pace did the job but it wasn't fully to his standards he set year two and beyond. We took him in '97 and everything came together in '99.

My bet is we use the tag on Jackson. But who knows. Rams are hard to read on the OL for me. Years I have expected them to go OL they did not, and vice versa.

 

[Corbin]

I'm having a really hard time on Jackson. Six weeks ago I would have said we gotta suck it up and take the OT due to him missing the first two games for some BS, the blood clots, and just not really being a LT who can grow into a great blindside protector. But now I am not sure. Of late he has played through some injury, and he's been our best lineman.

Funny thing is why haven't the Rams signed him yet. It isn't like them to screw around with guys they want to keep. So it feels to me like the Rams don't trust him, but that might change depending on this next month or so of games.

I could see this going either way tbh. But if the Rams elect to get after a LT in this draft up high I am all for it. Just hope that if they go that route it means they already locked up Higgins in FA so we will have explosive outside the hash threat. Then defense rest of the way in the draft I would hope.

Whatever happens I would make Jackson play on the tag at a minimum. That way even if we draft an LT we have him to start until the kid comes online.

Dude we reportedly made a go and thought we had Evans from Tampa Bay locked up this last off season so I really think they see someone like Higgins a real solution to adding to the WR room tbh.

I’m on board with whatever they hope to do, and I bet it has the majority to do for what AJ’s camp is going to be asking for, because I for sure think our FO don’t see him as a top paid LT and they’ll go from there.

I still feel like AJ will pull some shit where he’s not playing tbh. Something sup with him.

 

[OldSchool]

If you're willing to tag Jackson just sign him long term. Doesn't seem smart to tag him for one year and overpay only to replace him after.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I wonder if the Rams are suspicious of AJ because he has seemingly gotten it together in a contract year? Guys that play their best in contract years always make leery.

I think he only allowed one sack last year. AJ seems to have the UDFA stigma around here

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I think in this case, the Rams either have to sign Jackson or they have to sign another good Left tackle. They cannot go into the draft with Noteboom as their OLT.

 

[dieterbrock]

I think in this case, the Rams either have to sign Jackson or they have to sign another good Left tackle. They cannot go into the draft with Noteboom as their OLT.

Noteboom is a UFA the minute '24 season ends

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Noteboom is a UFA the minute '24 season ends

The nightmare will be over

 

[dieterbrock]

The nightmare will be over

Just a little parting gift from Noteboom, a 10 mill dead cap hit in ‘25

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Just a little parting gift from Noteboom, a 10 mill dead cap hit in ‘25

I get it when people hive me the ‘Coaches and GMs know better than you’ spiel, but I saw this one as a bad signing from day 1.

This was a huge gaffe. Almost as bad as giving a RB with a bum knee an overpriced contract.

 

[Memphis Ram]

I get it when people hive me the ‘Coaches and GMs know better than you’ spiel, but I saw this one as a bad signing from day 1.

This was a huge gaffe. Almost as bad as giving a RB with a bum knee an overpriced contract.

As I recall the Rams options were limited and they had to pay market rate for his services. Can't recall any other options. It was a weak OT free agency class and their first draft selection was late in the 3rd round in a weak OT draft class.

May be sorta deja vu this offseason (or probably most offseasons) via the free agency tackle class. The Rams have a 1st round pick this time, but the OT draft class is weak.

The difference is Jackson actually is and has been a solid to above average OT for sometime now, contrary to what my be popular opinion.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

As I recall the Rams options were limited and they had to pay market rate for his services. Can't recall any other options. It was a weak OT free agency class and their first draft selection was late in the 3rd round in a weak OT draft class.

May be sorta deja vu this offseason (or probably most offseasons) via the free agency tackle class. The Rams have a 1st round pick this time, but the OT draft class is weak.

The difference is Jackson actually is and has been a solid to above average OT for sometime now, contrary to what my be popular opinion.

The OT market wasn’t great but it wouldn’t have been too hard to upgrade over Noteboom.

 

[methomas50]

View: https://twitter.com/_RyanFowler_/status/1866140610702303302?t=exiTFIWlwfVmTvHSckP5xA&s=19

 

[Memphis Ram]

View: https://twitter.com/_RyanFowler_/status/1866140610702303302?t=exiTFIWlwfVmTvHSckP5xA&s=19

Interesting. Abdul Carter gets a lot of love even with only becoming a full time EDGE rusher this season.

 

[DzRams]

...It isn't like them to screw around with guys they want to keep.

Name one player that the Rams have extended early since 2017. I'll wait...

 

[OldSchool]

Name one player that the Rams have extended early since 2017. I'll wait...

It's
Not
Early

He was a free agent last year. He's a free agent after this year. Giving him a contract is not early.

 

[DzRams]

It's
Not
Early

He was a free agent last year. He's a free agent after this year. Giving him a contract is not early.

Technical point is well taken.

Let me rephrase: Name one player since 2017 that the Rams have re-signed or extended months prior to becoming a UFA. I'll wait...

 

[dieterbrock]

Technical point is well taken.

Let me rephrase: Name one player since 2017 that the Rams have re-signed or extended months prior to becoming a UFA. I'll wait...

They re-signed Dotson prior to free agency opening up

 

[Merlin]

Technical point is well taken.

Let me rephrase: Name one player since 2017 that the Rams have re-signed or extended months prior to becoming a UFA. I'll wait...

The guys they want to keep they keep. Dotson last year. AD was re-signed. Gurley was re-signed. Woods was re-signed. Kupp was re-signed. Cooks was re-signed. I'm sure there's a lot more but I don't care enough to sweat it either.

Question to ask is when was the last time the Rams wanted someone who is on their roster but couldn't get it done so they had to leave in FA. I can't think of any though if there were any I'd consider them an outlier.