Is the offensive line… good?

[Ram_Rally]

Invest draft capital.
I'm going back and forth on keeping all.
Jackson is going to be relatively inexpensive for his worth as an LT.. even if you tender him at the first rounder level. He's been a good, not great, starter this season. Some teams would love to move up to that.. but I think a first would be too steep for them to give up. That puts him at a little over six million.
Projections put Dotson at about 16 million plus. I LOVE what he's done.. but I also can't get around that number the more I think about it. Couldn't they draft another 2nd rounder to plug and play like Avila? Is that worth the risk?
Shelton will opt out.. I don't know how much he'll get and I think they can upgrade at center relatively easily.

But.. I also love STABILITY.. which would mean keeping them AND investing draft picks.
The least I could see them investing in draft picks is a high-round tackle. The most is a high round tackle, a higher mid-round center and a lower round guard.

That's exactly where I struggle. I LOVE how this line is playing but it'll probably cost around 22 million in cap to retain them alone. The Rams have so many tough decisions to make, and it really feels like their window is relatively tight.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I’m putting my thoughts of needing to draft a left tackle early, on hold. Aleric Jackson has been getting better each week. Ever since he was personally challenged by the coaches to keep Myles Garrett in check, we have seen a more consistent player imo.

Getting into the playoffs can be a double edged sword. The further they go, if they get in, the later the draft picks will be.

However, I want to see some of these young players continue to play in must win situations. The longer that goes on, the more information the team has for its future decisions. My hope is that Jackson continues to improve and that frees the Rams up from feeling they need to pick a left tackle with their first pick. Because right now, edge and corner look like the biggest needs.

 

[Kupped]

That's exactly where I struggle. I LOVE how this line is playing but it'll probably cost around 22 million in cap to retain them alone. The Rams have so many tough decisions to make, and it really feels like their window is relatively tight.

Here's the thing I've mentioned in other posts.. from what I've read.. the Rams can open up a MASSIVE amount of cap space this offseason very easily.
My feelings are that they go ALL IN.. big time.. these next two seasons.. at least on a salary cap level.
What I think/hope they won't do is trade future first rounders this time around. I've pointed out that Danielle Hunter will be a UFA.. he'll be expensive, but just in $$.
My feelings on being willing to pay what it takes for someone like him and some other parts.. is that this gives them more of a rolling reset opportunity in 2026.
2026 would be the year that most of the reset happens.. and you can trade multiple first rounders for your next QB.
They would likely have some serious dead money issues in 26.. but will also have a young base to work with, moving forward, in my *ideal* scenario.

 

[Kupped]

I’m putting my thoughts of needing to draft a left tackle early, on hold. Aleric Jackson has been getting better each week. Ever since he was personally challenged by the coaches to keep Myles Garrett in check, we have seen a more consistent player imo.

Getting into the playoffs can be a double edged sword. The further they go, if they get in, the later the draft picks will be.

However, I want to see some of these young players continue to play in must win situations. The longer that goes on, the more information the team has for its future decisions. My hope is that Jackson continues to improve and that frees the Rams up from feeling they need to pick a left tackle with their first pick. Because right now, edge and corner look like the biggest needs.

Your point on Jackson is why I've been watching him so closely all season. He's absolutely getting better. He's not elite.. but I don't know. that you must have an elite LT to win if your overall line is very good and you have an excellent scheme.

 

[oldnotdead]

What Ram fans think is irrelevant. What matters is what Sean and Les think. They seem to take a good enough approach. This OL is better than 2018 which was good enough to get to the Super Bowl. Don't believe me? Since you guys love PFF this is what they said in 2019 about the Ram OL.

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.

This is why they broke up the OL after the season. The offense is really rolling and you think the OL isn't good enough? IMO McVay probably feels they are fine. There are many evaluators that rank the OL in the top half of the NFL right now. Considering this is their first year together they should only improve next year. What I'm saying is the OL isn't as bad as many seem to think. McVays playcalling has had a huge impact and for godsake look at who they faced this year. If the ranking is adjusted for level of competition this OL would be ranked even higher.

Okay think about this in the context of the defenses the Rams have faced. Stafford has taken the fewest sacks of any QB who has played 14 games this year. Kyren Williams has run for more yards than McCaffery in fewer games. That is not a bad OL.

Individually they can see Jackson is struggling in many games. The problem is he's a FA next year and will be expecting a huge raise. I doubt the Rams will pay him what he is going to want so they will see him as a comp pick. I don't expect them to release Noteboom because of his cap. They probably would see him as a bridge LT. So that is why I expect them to draft an OT in the third round.

Dotson will probably be made an offer of about $6-7M which is fair but it might not be enough. Again they would then view him as a comp pick and enter McClendon who IMO was drafted to play RG. I think Dotson was acquired as a bridge OG for McClendon.

Noteboom gives them options at RG and OT. Noteboom didn't play badly at RG only inexperienced. Also while playing RT Joe has been schemed to do things Rob never has like pull all the way to the left to run block. The key with Noteboom is what they will do about Havenstein next year. His stats last year.

• 6 sacks allowed
• 8 hits allowed
• 41 total pressures allowed
• 71.7 run blocking grade
• 68.6 pass blocking grade

He's playing better this year but so is the entire OL. His cap hit next year is big for a guy who will be 32 years old. His pay would put him at number 11 in the NFL. By structure they looked to have assumed they would move on in 2025. The question will be will they keep him or replace him with a cheaper option a year early.

IMO the two top draft priorities will be QB and CB with OT probably in the 3rd round. Before you moan think about Terron Armstead who was drafted in the third round.

All I'm saying is don't be surprised if the OL changes. But I think Les will try to keep them together because they are better than most people think.

 

[Kupped]

What Ram fans think is irrelevant. What matters is what Sean and Les think. They seem to take a good enough approach. This OL is better than 2018 which was good enough to get to the Super Bowl. Don't believe me? Since you guys love PFF this is what they said in 2019 about the Ram OL.

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.

This is why they broke up the OL after the season. The offense is really rolling and you think the OL isn't good enough? IMO McVay probably feels they are fine. There are many evaluators that rank the OL in the top half of the NFL right now. Considering this is their first year together they should only improve next year. What I'm saying is the OL isn't as bad as many seem to think. McVays playcalling has had a huge impact and for godsake look at who they faced this year. If the ranking is adjusted for level of competition this OL would be ranked even higher.

Okay think about this in the context of the defenses the Rams have faced. Stafford has taken the fewest sacks of any QB who has played 14 games this year. Kyren Williams has run for more yards than McCaffery in fewer games. That is not a bad OL.

Individually they can see Jackson is struggling in many games. The problem is he's a FA next year and will be expecting a huge raise. I doubt the Rams will pay him what he is going to want so they will see him as a comp pick. I don't expect them to release Noteboom because of his cap. They probably would see him as a bridge LT. So that is why I expect them to draft an OT in the third round.

Dotson will probably be made an offer of about $6-7M which is fair but it might not be enough. Again they would then view him as a comp pick and enter McClendon who IMO was drafted to play RG. I think Dotson was acquired as a bridge OG for McClendon.

Noteboom gives them options at RG and OT. Noteboom didn't play badly at RG only inexperienced. Also while playing RT Joe has been schemed to do things Rob never has like pull all the way to the left to run block. The key with Noteboom is what they will do about Havenstein next year. His stats last year.

• 6 sacks allowed
• 8 hits allowed
• 41 total pressures allowed
• 71.7 run blocking grade
• 68.6 pass blocking grade

He's playing better this year but so is the entire OL. His cap hit next year is big for a guy who will be 32 years old. His pay would put him at number 11 in the NFL. By structure they looked to have assumed they would move on in 2025. The question will be will they keep him or replace him with a cheaper option a year early.

IMO the two top draft priorities will be QB and CB with OT probably in the 3rd round. Before you moan think about Terron Armstead who was drafted in the third round.

All I'm saying is don't be surprised if the OL changes. But I think Les will try to keep them together because they are better than most people think.

Jackson is an RFA. I think he gets tendered at the first round level at this point because I think a second round pick for him would be a no-brainer for many teams.

 

[Londoner]

If we don’t make Dotson our priority in free agency, it’ll be proof that the front office has learnt nothing.

 

[Allen2McVay]

...
Individually they can see Jackson is struggling in many games. The problem is he's a FA next year and will be expecting a huge raise. I doubt the Rams will pay him what he is going to want so they will see him as a comp pick.
...

Jackson is only a Restricted free agent.

 

[Kupped]

If we don’t make Dotson our priority in free agency, it’ll be proof that the front office has learnt nothing.

Man.. 17 million is A LOT for a guard.

 

[WestCoastRam]

In our recent Super Bowl season the OL was good in pass pro but not so good on the ground. This year's OL is damn good in the run game. Way better than McVay has had since Gurley, and better I think simply because TG due to the scheme dependency on outside zone got shut down by that wide nine nonsense.

This line is not going to be stopped by that wide nine. This run game is significant. We just cannot afford to lose Williams. Freeman is still very effective but Williams helps to compensate for an undermanned defense.

In gap scheme running - of which we run a majority of run plays now - the RB is responsible for making the 2nd level LB miss once into and through the gap.

The line has been good not great but looks even better with Kyren returning cause his skill at the above is way beyond any other RB we've had on the roster.

 

[rdlkgliders]

What Ram fans think is irrelevant. What matters is what Sean and Les think.

True but that leaves no need for this group. I get where you are coming from but we love to discuss and share it broadens or should at least our knowledge and understanding.

 

[Londoner]

Man.. 17 million is A LOT for a guard.

If that’s the going rate these days, you pay it.

He’s playing at Pro Bowl level and is still relatively young for an OL.

Throwing in an unproven (McClendon) or cheap alternative will just undo the good work done by the line this year.

 

[yrba1]

Getting into the playoffs can be a double edged sword. The further they go, if they get in, the later the draft picks will be.

Not worried about where we stand in the draft by the end of the season considering this coaching staff’s ability to find and develop players (see Nacua, Kupp, Jones, etc)

 

[Ram_Rally]

Here's the thing I've mentioned in other posts.. from what I've read.. the Rams can open up a MASSIVE amount of cap space this offseason very easily.
My feelings are that they go ALL IN.. big time.. these next two seasons.. at least on a salary cap level.
What I think/hope they won't do is trade future first rounders this time around. I've pointed out that Danielle Hunter will be a UFA.. he'll be expensive, but just in $$.
My feelings on being willing to pay what it takes for someone like him and some other parts.. is that this gives them more of a rolling reset opportunity in 2026.
2026 would be the year that most of the reset happens.. and you can trade multiple first rounders for your next QB.
They would likely have some serious dead money issues in 26.. but will also have a young base to work with, moving forward, in my *ideal* scenario.

I have a similar belief ! I think they're gonna buy the offense and draft the defense though. But I hope they hear up for one last run.

 

[WestCoastRam]

I think you try to sign Dotson... but there are like 5 decent to very good answers for that spot if you don't which I imagine will help cap the price we're willing to spend.

 

[Merlin]

In gap scheme running - of which we run a majority of run plays now - the RB is responsible for making the 2nd level LB miss once into and through the gap.

The line has been good not great but looks even better with Kyren returning cause his skill at the above is way beyond any other RB we've had on the roster.

Williams is definitely a big part of that potency we have going right now. Which is why I said we cannot afford to lose him. If he goes down the road gets a lot tougher for us. Won't be any miracle playoff runs where we scare the top seeds if that happens.

 

[dieterbrock]

I would rather have Dotson on the team as opposed to Noteboom. Releasing Boom saves 5 mill that could be allocated towards Dotson's value. Having G locked up for the next 2-3 years with Avila and Dotson would be awesome
I'm not as high on A Jackson as much as others, and would go with the 2nd round tender

 

[Merlin]

I would rather have Dotson on the team as opposed to Noteboom. Releasing Boom saves 5 mill that could be allocated towards Dotson's value. Having G locked up for the next 2-3 years with Avila and Dotson would be awesome
I'm not as high on A Jackson as much as others, and would go with the 2nd round tender

Yeah I keep going back and forth on Dotson but what sells me on him in spite of the risk is the idea of our OL coming out game one on fire. In a good way.

 

[Classic Rams]

Dotson's gonna get a payday, but afraid it won't be w/the Rams. McVay rather than pay the huge bucks would have his staff "coach the next guy up." Dotson looks about as solid as Saffold was for us in his last few years and I wouldn't let him go.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Not worried about where we stand in the draft by the end of the season considering this coaching staff’s ability to find and develop players (see Nacua, Kupp, Jones, etc)

Well, the higher you pick, the greater the chances of hitting on it. Which you already know.

One great draft doesn’t mean every draft will be the same of course.

But yes, I’d rather have the Rams make the playoffs than get the earlier draft pick, and I said why in my post that you replied to.