Did the LA Rams stumble into bookend OTs of the future?

The LA Rams are by no means the NFL organization that plops sacks of cash, makes blockbuster trades, or even signs premier free agent veterans to the offensive line. It’s just not how this team rolls. But don’t think that the LA Rams are not planning for tomorrow. It’s easy to assume that, simply because this team makes some pretty big splashes in the water when the front office makes a move.  And yet, that’s not where all of the action is.

All in all, the LA Rams have done a pretty good job of building an NFL winner by looking in places where other teams don’t, and by choosing players that other teams overlook. It’s a curious trait for a team that seems to splash the headlines each year or so when there is another blockbuster trade, and the Rams are the team that has converted their first-round draft picks into some special type of veteran player.

But paying for 90 players in the offseason, and 53 players through the course of an NFL season takes a lot of cash. The Rams pay their stars, which leaves a much smaller share to pay the rest of the roster.  So planning for the future creates significant challenges for a team that doesn’t retain first-round draft choices.

So this team needs to plan ahead. That requires coordination with the team’s front office, a matter of some import as there will not be enough money to go around next year. That means that the team will need to consider the length of the contract when setting the final depth chart. Right now, the LA Rams have four players set at their two offensive tack positions, and only one is expected to be back in 2022. That’s three offensive tackles in one year? Go on, tell me another one.

But help is one the way. At the back of the roster right now are a couple of players who seem to be shaping up very nicely. So well, in fact, that I expect to see their play in preseason games to confirm if the LA Rams have something or not. So who am I referring to? Let’s find out: