5 OL questions LA Rams must answer before 2021 NFL Draft

Time for some younger guys?

The LA Rams have quietly gathered young, talented, and solid depth for the team at the offensive line position.  Now the question is, which of those young players are ready to step up? After all, the mad-scientist of the Rams offensive line is the very accomplished offensive line coach Aaron Kromer. Ever since he orchestrated a masterful job of duct taping the offensive front together through the 2019 season, he’s been working at an express lane pace.

The Rams have plenty of ‘young talent’ to work with. The Rams have 2020 rookie OL Tremayne Anchrum, returning OT Chandler Brewer who opted out of the 2020 NFL season. The team will have another year of OL Jamil Demby.

And of course, the usual younger linemen who saw little to some spot duty in 2020 like C Brian Allen, OT Joseph Noteboom, and versatile OL Bobby Evans. The team even has an opportunity to re-sign center Austin Blythe, IOL Coleman Shelton, and TE Johnny Mundt this offseason. And they will all have the benefit of getting another year of quality development from Coach Kromer.

But like a kink in the garden hose, young players need to progress to the next step. At some point, the Rams will need to give younger offensive linemen the opportunity to shine. Clearly, OL David Edwards was ready for a larger role on the team. The same can be said for teammate Austin Corbett.

Some will panic, and throw shade at any discussion about the offensive line. After all, it was ‘good enough’ to get the Rams into the playoffs, wasn’t it?  Well, the Rams are going to need a much-improved running game in 2021 to compliment the throwing arm of new quarterback Matthew Stafford. And that means, before the LA Rams plan for the 2021 NFL draft, they will need answers about their offensive line.

The 2021 NFL season will not benefit from any rookies selected in this year’s draft. So the Rams will need to upgrade in other ways for this season. But 2022 is just around the corner, and rookies chosen in the 2021 NFL Draft will certainly have a great deal to say about the starting five in that year.