LA Rams must decide among 4 feasible O-Line configurations

2019 Retro O-Line option

The LA Rams may not have enough time to sort out positions on the depth chart with good old-fashioned mix and match. So it could force the Rams into another retro offensive line configuration. That certainly seemed to be the approach to forming the 2020 offensive line. Of course, that resulted in a rather significantly improved offensive line.

Now the Rams will need to address the vacated offensive center position, and the simplest solution is to promote the now-healthy 2019 starting center Brian Allen to the position. While the LA Rams will be staring at three positions facing the 2022 NFL Free Agency market in Joseph Noteboom, Brian Allen, and Austin Corbett.

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

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

This configuration has the added bonus of not depending upon any rookies or untested players into a starting role right out of the gates, a situation both Snead and McVay wish to avoid. Of course, position battles at the left guard or at the center position could invert the depth chart at either spot.

I believe this depth chart option is as likely as the first option, as the need to manage change for the new offensive line coach Kevin Carberry may force taking this direction. Since the starters have all played a significant number of games at these roles, it will give the offensive line a huge advantage in synching up with one another.