LA Rams NFL Draft 2021: A deep-dive dissection of all selections

Fun fact recap

From the moment the LA Rams traded for veteran and older starting quarterback Matthew Stafford from the Detroit Lions, there has been a whiff of anxiety in the air. The specter of that 2019 meltdown of the Rams’ offensive line has been tough to shake off. And the fact that it peered out at fans once more during the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs when Bobby Evans took over for injured David Edwards at left guard was enough to cause downright panic.

So we fired up online draft simulators and were tickled to get good grades for finding an early center. Over and over again we mocked and shared, pleased with our immediate feedback of an A draft that featured OC Creed Humphrey or Landon Dickerson, or Quinn Meinerz.

But that was never how the Rams saw it.

Their board had other players valued much higher. Here are some samples of relevant Fun Facts:

First – Austin Blythe is 6-foot-3 and 298 pounds. Former offensive center John Sullivan was 6-foot-4 and 312 pounds.

Second – Before the LA Rams entered the draft, the Rams players had already opted out of voluntary OTAs.  In that scenario, the ability of the Rams rookie offensive line coach to quickly turn any rookie addition to the roster into a functioning NFL starter would have been iffy.

Third – LA Rams offensive line coach Kevin Carberry has yet to work directly with any of the offensive linemen. Since he has not had that opportunity to work with them, the Rams may have decided to roll with 2020 and prescribe who starts at center. No competition.

Fourth – Has anyone translated what the new direction of the offense will be, beyond the presumption it will be a more explosive and dangerous offense? What does that really mean in terms of the offensive line? The Rams stressed the fact that it would be difficult to expect a rookie to start in 2021.

Fifth– The LA Rams want a more explosive offense.  That likely means heavier reliance upon the passing game, and ipso facto, an offensive line built to support the pass.

Sixth – I hate to say it, but the LA Rams continue to be misers when it comes to that NFL offensive line. It should be apparent to us all that if the Rams are content to rank 30th in the NFL on spending on the offensive line, they are likely not targeting any offensive lineman with their most valuable pick.