LA Rams must decide among 4 feasible O-Line configurations

High probability starters

This starting lineup is gaining steam among those who have access to head coach Sean McVay. So what is the underlying theme?  In short, what factors are considered important enough to drive the  LA Rams to decide this offensive line depth chart is the most promising?

Los Angeles Rams

Well, for starters, it consists of bigger-bodied offensive linemen, and it has an underlying interest in pass protection with the additional inclusion of the jet sweeps. Whew! That’s a lot of information in one sentence.  Let’s start again. The Rams pass protection is likely the most important feature of the offensive line this year. So bigger bodies are considered better candidates to absorb and redirect the onslaught of a determined pass rush. But that’s just the beginning.

The Rams love to attack the edge, and with a front of bigger bodies, the coaching staff believes that the advantage will flow to the offense with outside zone plays. Of course, this configuration will need time to gel and any of the four options listed here. The key will be who the Rams prioritize at the center position. Many expect the LA Rams to shift the successful right guard to center.  That creates a hole that will also need to be addressed, most likely by promoting a 2020 back up into a starting role in 2021.

Position                            Starter                                 Backup
Left tackle                        Andrew Whitworth          Joseph Noteboom
Left guard                        Bobby Evans                      Coleman Shelton
Center                               Austin Corbett                   Brian Allen
Right guard                     David Edwards                  Tremayne Anchrum
Right tackle                     Rob Havenstein                Chandler Brewer

Practice squad: Jamil Demby, Alaric Jackson, Max Pircher, Jordan Meredith

The trouble facing the Rams is that one-in-the-hand-two-in-the-bush quandary.  In short, the Rams know that a player on the roster is worth two from the draft. So is it a given that the Rams would dabble three offensive line positions just to five one? While I don’t share that assumption, many do.

While this offensive line may be the most likely, it creates plenty of question marks over the quality of the interior line pass protection, an area that will be ultra-critical for the Rams with veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford. Many are on board with this starting lineup, so we’ll start here.  The backups are simply the most logical positions for the players who have been praised by the Rams GM Les Snead and HC Sean McVay.