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http://www.ocregister.com/articles/rams-713419-last-draft.html
This is the fifth in a series of stories examining who the Rams might draft at each position group leading into their first season back in Los Angeles. Next is a look at available offensive linemen, should the Rams feel the need to further protect their soon-to-be new quarterback.
The Rams, planning ahead, secured the bodyguards long before they selected the body.
Whether it is Jared Goff or Carson Wentz joining the Rams this week, the new quarterback will need some help. It wouldn’t be shocking to see the Rams use one of their other four draft picks on an offensive lineman, but the team stocked up on that position a year ago.
In 2015, the Rams picked up tackle Rob Havenstein (second round), guard Jamon Brown (third), tackle Andrew Donnal (fourth), guard Cody Wichmann (sixth) and tackle Isaiah Battle (supplemental pick). All five linemen were either starters or primary backups as rookies last season.
“I’ve said this for a long time, we were able to accomplish it last year,’’ Coach Jeff Fisher said recently. “I’ve always wanted to draft four or five offensive linemen in the same draft and we did that. They all got to play and all developed. A need now becomes a strength for us.’’
There’s still some work to do, though. The Rams’ line allowed the fewest sacks in the NFL last season and blocked for a 1,000-yard rusher in Todd Gurley, but the team could benefit from some health and consistency. Injuries forced the Rams to shuffle the line several times last season.
The Rams caught a break last month when starting center Tim Barnes re-signed for two years, a few days after he hit the market as an unrestricted free agent. The idea of bringing along a rookie quarterback with a new center might have been daunting.
And while last year’s draft haul gave the Rams enviable depth, there’s still one big question: is Greg Robinson the long-term answer at left tackle?
Drafted with the No. 2 overall pick in 2014, Robinson was publicly criticized by Fisher last year but seemed to show improvement late in the season. There’s still plenty of time for him to grow, but as Robinson heads into his third season, the Rams would like to see a marked improvement.
If not, a player such as guard Rodger Saffold might be able to transition to tackle. That’s the value of depth, and it will be interesting to see if the Rams are tempted to add to it during this week’s draft.
“We now have a lot of young guys who have started games,’’ General Manager Les Snead said last month, “and that's going to be organic, built-in competition, because they've now all tasted playing in that starting unit and they want to play there.
“The other thing is, the guys who don't make it to the starting five, you can go to bed at night knowing that if there is another injury, and there always is in our league, we have a viable candidate that can come right in and play.’’
This is the fifth in a series of stories examining who the Rams might draft at each position group leading into their first season back in Los Angeles. Next is a look at available offensive linemen, should the Rams feel the need to further protect their soon-to-be new quarterback.
The Rams, planning ahead, secured the bodyguards long before they selected the body.
Whether it is Jared Goff or Carson Wentz joining the Rams this week, the new quarterback will need some help. It wouldn’t be shocking to see the Rams use one of their other four draft picks on an offensive lineman, but the team stocked up on that position a year ago.
In 2015, the Rams picked up tackle Rob Havenstein (second round), guard Jamon Brown (third), tackle Andrew Donnal (fourth), guard Cody Wichmann (sixth) and tackle Isaiah Battle (supplemental pick). All five linemen were either starters or primary backups as rookies last season.
“I’ve said this for a long time, we were able to accomplish it last year,’’ Coach Jeff Fisher said recently. “I’ve always wanted to draft four or five offensive linemen in the same draft and we did that. They all got to play and all developed. A need now becomes a strength for us.’’
There’s still some work to do, though. The Rams’ line allowed the fewest sacks in the NFL last season and blocked for a 1,000-yard rusher in Todd Gurley, but the team could benefit from some health and consistency. Injuries forced the Rams to shuffle the line several times last season.
The Rams caught a break last month when starting center Tim Barnes re-signed for two years, a few days after he hit the market as an unrestricted free agent. The idea of bringing along a rookie quarterback with a new center might have been daunting.
And while last year’s draft haul gave the Rams enviable depth, there’s still one big question: is Greg Robinson the long-term answer at left tackle?
Drafted with the No. 2 overall pick in 2014, Robinson was publicly criticized by Fisher last year but seemed to show improvement late in the season. There’s still plenty of time for him to grow, but as Robinson heads into his third season, the Rams would like to see a marked improvement.
If not, a player such as guard Rodger Saffold might be able to transition to tackle. That’s the value of depth, and it will be interesting to see if the Rams are tempted to add to it during this week’s draft.
“We now have a lot of young guys who have started games,’’ General Manager Les Snead said last month, “and that's going to be organic, built-in competition, because they've now all tasted playing in that starting unit and they want to play there.
“The other thing is, the guys who don't make it to the starting five, you can go to bed at night knowing that if there is another injury, and there always is in our league, we have a viable candidate that can come right in and play.’’
