Is the LA Rams offensive line a strength or weakness for 2021?

50, er, 4 shades of the offensive line

So which version of the Rams offensive line are you talking about? Well, if you think that they were porous, and allowed the Green Bay Packers to dominate the line of scrimmage, then you are likely focused upon the worst version of the offensive line.

If you see the 2020 LA Rams exceeding expectations, opening huge running lanes, moving the pile in short-yardage situations, and creating a clean pocket for quarterback Jared Goff, then you are likely focused upon the best version of the offensive line.

Both were true in 2020. You see, each new iteration of the Rams offensive line in 2020 brought its own set of capabilities and shortcomings. Since the Rams had 4 different units in the 2020 season, the normal fluctuations from game to game were amplified that much more by a newly configured line.  So how do we rank the 4 shades in 2020? This way.

Worst – Andrew Whitworth (post-rehab), Bobby Evans, Austin Blythe, Austin Corbett, Rob Havenstein. This was the offensive line that faced the Seattle Seahawks after Edwards left the game with an ankle injury and Green Bay Packers in the playoffs. This line struggled to protect the middle and the left side.

Third – Joseph Noteboom, David Edwards, Austin Blythe, Austin Corbett, Rob Havenstein. This was the offensive line that played the second half of the NFL season.  While the team played a 5-3 season to end the year, this offensive line struggled to move the ball against the Seattle Seahawks in the rematch in Seattle.

Second – Andrew Whitworth, David Edwards, Austin Blythe, Austin Corbett, Rob Havenstein. This is the lineup that formed after Joseph Noteboom injured his calf against the Buffalo Bills. The line put up some good games but finished just 3-3. Of note, this was the offensive line that struggled against the Miami Dolphins and San Franciso 49ers.

First – Andrew Whitworth, Joseph Noteboom, Austin Blythe, Austin Corbett, Rob Havenstein. This is the full-strength offensive line and was the only undefeated configuration. The Rams were 2-0 with this group.

Now let’s talk about the extreme versions, and how the LA Rams must address each differently in the offseason.