4 free agent offensive linemen to get LA Rams to NFL Playoffs

OT Peters

The LA Rams did not have any other options for the left tackle on the roster, so the decision to re-sign left tackle Andrew Whitworth was made before the offseason began. But that creates a problem of a different nature for the team. Who can step up if Whitworth goes down? That’s likely as Whitworth had surgery this off-season, and is one of the oldest offensive linemen starting in the NFL today.  A solid veteran to compete for snaps is the offensive tackle, Jason Peters.

While Peters held out for a starting left tackle role, one hasn’t happened yet. Meanwhile, adding a textbook veteran like Peters not only is a minimal impact on snaps for younger players, but he becomes the perfect mentor for young offensive linemen like Joseph Noteboom or Nate Trewyn who need that last bit of sage advice to get over the hump as an NFL starting lineman.

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Old man bookends?

While Peters is just one year younger than the Rams starting left tackle Whitworth, adding him does give the team other options. Putting Peters at right tackle allows the Rams an opportunity to put Rob Havenstein on the trading block, and mentor Bobby Evans as the heir to the right tackle role. Havenstein’s play declined dramatically in 2019, and there is no assurance that he recovers for the 2020 season.

Peters is an ideal player to bring onboard to help coach up the Rams mini-army of young offensive linemen. And adding him to the roster could sway him to remain on with the team after playing to learn the coaching role for offensive linemen. Far fetched? Perhaps.  But the Rams must prepare to turn over the offensive line soon. Veteran Austin Blythe is on a one-year deal. Whitworth is signed for three years, but his age places him on a game by game watch list. And Havenstein is coming off an injury and his worst NFL season.  The Rams had been stockpiling offensive linemen for this moment. Peters will help the team today, and coaching up players for tomorrow.