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

AJ Jackson

The LA Rams were expected to add two or three offensive linemen to the roster this year via the 2021 NFL Draft. With so many players in the last year of their contracts, it only made sense to add some reinforcements to the roster just in case. And yes, some of the players who were available when the LA Rams selected are making a name for themselves already.

While the Rams did not grab a new offensive center or an offensive tackle during the draft, they may have grabbed the best of the bunch of offensive linemen who remained.  The Rams picked up longtime Iowa offensive tackle Alaric Jackson, a.k.a. A.J. Jackson, after the draft.  He was projected to be a day two selection, but due to the depth of quality offensive linemen, and some less than ideal measurables at his pro day, he fell to the LA Rams.

AJ Jackson, just like Tremayne Anchrum, showed up in a very positive light against the Dallas Cowboys defensive linemen in their joint practice.  In fact, he appeared to be one of the better offensive linemen on the field at the time.

Pads are on now. This is AJ Jackson’s wheelhouse. Now is his time to shine. The guy has played offensive tackle for a very good Iowa offensive line for what seems like forever. Jackson is a huge 6-foot-7 315-pound young man who showed up for the LA Rams at 285 pounds. He is taking the entire football thing incredibly seriously. So seriously that he changed his diet completely to get leaner, have more pop in his game, and improve his endurance.

This guy is a mean ole sonofagun who loves to block. Now, paired with Tremayne Anchrum, they show the promise of two guys who will compete for a starting role in 2022.  The only trick for the Rams is, how can the team carry them from now until then?