5 reasons LA Rams offensive line goes from rags to riches

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Reason 5 – They’re not done improving

First-time offensive linemen in the NFL take time to mature and play well. For the 2019 NFL Draft, six offensive linemen were selected in the first round. These were the best of the class, the most heavily scouted and evaluated group of offensive linemen to become NFL starters. How did they do? Of those six: Kaleb McGary, Tytus Howard, Garrett Bradbury, Chris Lindstrom, Jonah Williams, and Andre Dillard, they averaged a mere 49.4 from PFF for their first year’s average grade. Even if factoring out OT Jonah Williams no score, this group of first-round selections averaged just 59.3.

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For the six Rams players who saw action for the first time, and selected several rounds later, they averaged 51.45 for the year. Center Brian Allen scored 58.6, while right guard David Edwards scored a 61.0.

Even players who struggled mightily in 2019 like Joseph Noteboom have had plenty of time to process the blur of information he confronted as the starter for the Rams. So many fans form instant decisions about players from such a small sampling, particularly when that decision is negative. Players practice and improve. If the top draft picks barely tilt move the needle in their first season, you can bet other players with fewer natural athletic abilities will use the time to improve their second season in the NFL dramatically.

Even left guard Rodger Saffold had down seasons. His 2015 season graded at just 51.0 from PFF. He graded at 72.6 in 2016, and 80.3 in 2017. Not all of the LA Rams offensive linemen will improve as dramatically. In fact, not all will improve. But some will. And perhaps one or two will land in the 70+ or 80+ range at the end of the 2020 season.

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We’ve said it before. Patience is the most important factor required for the LA Rams offensive line now. As the team works to improve the offensive line play, don’t be surprised if the team trades a player or two to another NFL team. The Rams offensive line is about to go from rags to riches.

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