St. Louis Rams Rookie Preview: Rob Havenstein, Offensive Tackle

It was no secret entering the 2015 draft that the St. Louis Rams needed help on the offensive line, and they needed it right away. With the 10th overall selection in the first round, many mocks had them selecting one of three top tier lineman. Ereck Flowers out of Miami, Andrus Peat out of Stanford or La’el Collins out of LSU. Flowers and Peat would go on to become first round picks. Flowers at ninth overall and Peat shortly after at 13th overall. Collins would go un-drafted, but eventually sign with the Dallas Cowboys. The Rams would go on to select running back Todd Gurley with the 10th overall selection.

St. Louis would begin to address their offensive line needs in the second round starting with Rob Havenstein out of Wisconsin with the 57th overall selection. Havenstein was a leader of the Wisconsin offense. He would start 42 of the 55 games he played in and was named All- Big Ten honors in 2014. Havenstein excels in run blocking schemes which is right up head coach Jeff Fisher’s alley. He has a large frame, trimmed down to just over 320 lbs., long arms and quick feet to help open running lanes.

Havenstein may not look like much, but his tape is impressive. Scouts have said his stiffness can be an issue at times, and he occasionally struggles to get underneath defenders which may lead to problems down the road. Many reviews limit him to the right tackle position. Havenstein was projected as a 3rd or 4th round selection in the right situation. The Rams jumped up and took him in the middle of the second round. We won’t consider this too much of a reach because of his above-average run blocking ability. Something the St. Louis Rams needed desperately.

Look for Havenstein to plug right into the right side of the line. His zone blocking will need improvement, but he can move better than most and create holes for Tre Mason and Todd Gurley. Havenstein should help hold down the right side of the line for the next 3-5 years.