3 reasons why LA Rams trade RT Rob Havenstein during NFL draft

Reason two – More certain than NFL rookie

The greatest struggle in drafting an NFL rookie offensive lineman is the sheer patience involved in waiting for that player to develop into a true NFL veteran.  Regardless of the round or pick, offensive linemen take time to become good. Some of that reason lies in the fact that the offensive lineman depends so heavily upon his teammates in a game.

NFL rookies at the offensive line must not only adapt to a new city, a new team, but also to a new group of teammates. Offensive lines are judged just as much as a unit as judged as five individual players. All of those changes and relationships take time to build, all of which happen simultaneously to learning an NFL playbook and understanding blocking assignments.

Life comes at you fast as an NFL rookie.

That is why the 2020 NFL Free Agency market for offensive tackles signing their second contract was so active. NFL teams understand that the most valuable time for an offensive tackle happens during their second contract, or from years five through eight.  The current market for offensive tackles is $10 million / year.  Right now, Havenstein is playing on a contract that extends to 2022 and pays less than $8 million per year. His price tag will not be the least bit discouraging to a potential NFL trade partner.