The o-line is new and it's young but I for one have seen enough to know that there is real promise in these guys. The problem was the residual vets, in Blythe, Havenstein, and Whitworth. Last Sunday it was mostly Whitworth and Blythe struggling more than the new guys. Do you think rookies next year on the o-line will play better than the guys we got already? No way.
Edwards will probably move to RT and Evans to RG, with Blythe leaving and Allen returning. Noteboom will replace Whitworth and Corbett probably stays at LG. IMO the only question on the o-line is what they do with Havenstein. Rob will have a cap number of $7.5M which is a lot for a backup. But he carries a $6.1M deadcap number so they must carry him one more year probably as the swing but Shelton and Brewer will probably have the game day swing covered. $7.5 M is too much to have sitting on the bench. So the only place for him would be to play at OG for a year, probably at RG to allow Evans or Edwards to continue to develop. Then Evans and Shelton can be the game day swings.
There simply are no glaring holes in the starting lineup to think they need higher draft picks. More to the point, Snead is very good at moving around on draft day by trading picks without trading players. They are only missing 1st and 5th round picks with probably a second 3rd round pick coming as compensatory. With what they have and packaging NRC that's all Snead needs. Like I said this draft is more about depth not finding starters.
I am very interested in Edwards at guard....surprisingly, he has some trouble pass blocking,d espite very good athleticsm....technique (plays high?). I thnk that will be solved. Evans, too, has some huge technique problems, but at guard he will be very, very good....maybe in the Saffold range in 4-5 years.
Rob Hav will start next year. His physical skills (which never inlcuded great feet) didn't drop off the table--he will return to 2018 form....he is only 28 or so. He never was quickt.....he will get it 'back'...I am sure. We need some stability anyways. Too many newbies if Hav doesn't start.....if we get a veteran center that would help....a Whitworth of centers, lol.
Evans got off to a slow start, he will be appreciably better next year at guard (or at tackle). He is a tough guy with good feet. If Edwards and him are at guard we will run the ball, and both have the good feet.
McVay will rethinkg the O line a bit. And, after he 'seeks' counsel, he will recognize the fact that the Rams O line needs to establish physicality---all 5....not just Hav and Evants (and Edwards is mostly physical,too).
McVay this week looked weary in interviews. I think he is in over his head with his own emotions because he recognizes that a team giving up 44 points in a 'must win' is cause for gret concern---football is about attitude, and the defense in a must win game laid down. If we had won out, we are in the playoffs (Vikes will lose 1 more game).
Rams will be back in 2020, just like the 2001 Rams came back--fast, aggressive and sound on defense (thanks Lovie). Ya, Goff is the centerpiece, and yes, he has to play better....and he will.
