LA Rams Johnny Mundt adds 2 TE formation value to offense

LA Rams offensive line must improve pass protection for QB Goff. TE Johnny Mundt‘s blocking acumen perfectly suited to solve OL woes

The LA Rams offensive line struggled throughout much of the 2019 season. Between injuries and inexperience, the team gave the appearance of a new starting five in each game. While that is an exxageration, the frequency of changing players became so intense that the Rams needed to trade for offensive linemen in mid-season. They did so by trading for backup guard Austin Corbett from the Cleveland Browns.

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Hopefully, this off-season will be less about wholesale changes to the offensive line, and more about taking a deep breath and allowing so many young offensive line thrown into the starting lineup last season to develop fully through training camp this season.

The team could also hedge their bets by re-signing free agent veteran offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth,  While Whitworth is no longer among the NFL’s top five left tackles, the Rams have failed to create multiple options for the position in 2020. Even the team’s depth chart has no one learning the left tackle position in the past, one of the most critical positions on the offense.

Mundt’s blocking is good.  For a tight end, he’s exceptional. That warrants some 2020 offensive schemes to take advantage of that skillset.

Mundt’s blocking gives team options for offense

Tight end Johnny Mundt gives the team some additional options for the 2020 offense. In short, lining him up in any given play increases the likelihood for success.  The Rams use run/pass option plays.  Mundt adds blocking for running plays, and protection for passing plays. He can even run routes and become an outlet receiver for the team if Goff is under pressure.

Mundt is one of the diamonds-in-the-rough who has helped propel the Rams to success in recent years. He signed a two-year deal with the LA Rams for a league minimum on April 29, 2017. This season, he is an exclusive rights free agent. That means the Rams can offer him a one-year league minimum contract and his options are to either sign or not play in the NFL.

So while he is technically not signed, there is no fear in retaining him should the Rams choose to do so.

Two TE sets

Why are two tight end sets so important for the Rams future? The offensive formation adds deception and protection to the offense, without sacrificing either pass or run options. McVay’s spread offenses were very successful by forcing defenses to cover too many receivers. Quarterback Jared Goff typically has an open man to throw too, given enough time.

Defenses have now adjusted. They have upped their blitz packages, flooding the offensive line with pass rushers, all designed to give Goff no time to find the open receiver.  In 2019, the scheme worked.  But as the season wore on, McVay began to adjust as well.  He started to lean towards two tight-end sets.  In doing so, defenses were forced to guess which TE was the blocker or receiver.  In some cases, both stay in. In other plays, both run routes.

That tweak set the offense back on track, albeit too late to salvage the 2019 season.

Heading into 2020, the two TE sets will be a common sight for the Rams offense. Not only does it slow down a fast pass rush, but it gives the offense multiple options to run or pass.  While Johnny Mundt will not likely be an every down starter for the Rams, his blocking ability combined with the ability to catch passes makes him a strong candidate for playing time in the 2020 season.