Can LA Rams QB Matthew Stafford throw deep behind as-is OL?

Offensive guards

The Rams interior offensive line may be their strong suit, as the Rams have gotten some great mileage out of starters Austin Corbett and David Edwards. Of course, that could change as NFL offensive lines trend with a unit rather than individual play.  So as the LA Rams work to fill the vacated center spot, the team could see a backslide at the interior.

Rams Right guard – Starter Austin Corbett, backup Tremayne Anchrum

The LA Rams offensive line seemed to snap into place when Austin Corbett lined up at the right guard position, allowing Austin Blythe to take over at the center spot. 6-foot-4 306-pound Corbett has been an iron man for the team over the past two seasons, as he has not been injured for the Rams since starting in 2019. In 2020, he started over 1100 offensive snaps and surrendered just one sack. His backup, 6-foot-2 315-pound offensive lineman Tremayne Anchrum is a promising young man who has been getting plenty of solid work on special teams.

Lions Right guard – Starter Oday Aboushi, backup  Logan Stenberg

The Detroit Lions were a bit unsettled at right guard, as shown by the number of players who rotated into the position. The Lions finally settle on 6-foot-5 315-pound Oday Aboushi at the position for the final six games. He surrendered a sack in 622 snaps. The backup for the role was 2020 rookie Logan Stenberg, a 6-foot-6 322-pound offensive lineman who was pretty much seldom used in 2020.

Rams Left guard – Starter David Edwards, backup Bobby Evans

The Rams had a tag team at left guard, but after David Edwards subbed in for Joseph Noteboom at left guard, the team never looked back. The 6-foot-6 308-pound Edwards played 14 games, over 1000 offensive snaps, and allowed just three sacks. This was the second season that Edwards claimed and played well at the position. Backup Bobby Evans subbed in during the playoffs and struggled mightily. Not only did he offer little resistance to motivated defenders intent on sacking quarterback Jared Goff, but other linemen around him struggled as they attempted to compensate.

Lions Left guard – Starter Jonah Jackson, backup Matt Nelson

The Lions draft their starting left guard and instantly set the 6-foot-4 305-pound rookie from Ohio State to trial-by-fire. Jonah Jackson struggled a bit in 2020, to no surprise. But he showed flashes of a promising NFL career. While he gave up five quarterback sacks, he continued to battle. His backup, Matt Nelson, is also a backup at left tackle.

I don’t want to sound homerish, but I have to give the nod to the LA Rams on the interior line as well. I think the Lions have sound young players, but they need time to develop. ADVANTAGE: RAMS