LA Rams frugal free agency fix for 2020 offensive line

Rams Interior Linemen

The LA Rams failed to replace outgoing free agent left guard Rodger Saffold and current free agent center John Sullivan. The 2019 result of sliding Joe Noteboom to left guard ended poorly, even moreso when he fell to injury in week six, where the Rams fell to 3-3.  Noteboom scored poorly before the injury, grading out as 74th of 79 NFL guards. Now coming back from a torn ACL/MCL, his future as starting left guard is precarious at best.

Brian Allen, Sullivan’s replacement, suffered an MCL injury during a week nine loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Allen failed to deliver in Sullivan’s wake as well, grading out as one of the worst centers before his injury.

Left guard

Austin Corbett – 2020 cap hit $1,163,490 – 6-foot-4 306 pound Austin Corbett left guard Corbett was obtained via a trade with the Cleveland Browns for the Rams 2021 fifth round pick.  Corbett was the 33rd pick for the Browns in the 2018 NFL Draft. He could not crack the starting lineup for the Browns, but was almost immediately promoted to the starting role. First at center, then at left guard upon moving Austin Blythe to center.  Corbett is an ideal athletic type offensive lineman, and should be considered as the starting left guard for 2020.

Grade: Start

Joseph Noteboom – 2020 cap hit $922,440 – 6-foot-5 321 pound Joe Noteboom hasn’t had much luck in his short NFL career. He was selected with the 89th pick from the 2018 NFL Draft.  A natural tackle, Noteboom switched to interior offensive lineman in the wake of Saffold departing the team via free agency. Going from Pro-Bowl veteran to rookie playing a new position set up the team and fans for disappointing results. But his injury has reset his training cycle and slowed down the pace of information flying at him.  Noteboom had little opportunity to succeed as a rookie.  But sitting on the bench as a backup for 2020 seems like the perfect role for Noteboom.

Grade: Backup