LA Rams: Lamont Gaillard waived. Will Rams submit another claim?

When the Arizona Cardinals released offensive center, Lamont Gaillard, earlier this year, the LA Rams were one of several teams that attempted to claim him off the waiver wire. Due to the fact that the Rams had enjoyed some success in 2020, they found themselves at the bottom of the priority list for waiver claims. Gaillard found himself also getting some interest from both the New York Giants and the Cincinnati Bengals.

Due to the waiver wire priority, the team with the worst record, the Bengals, was awarded the former Cardinals offensive center, Lamont Gaillard. But the Bengals did not keep him, and Gaillard was released on August 22, 2021, once more.

Now that the 6-foot-3 and 305-pound offensive center is free once more, the question becomes, will the LA Rams submit a second claim to add him to the roster? There are valid reasons for both decisions.

Why the Rams should submit another claim?

The Rams situation at the offensive center is far from cemented in stone. It was clear that the Rams front office valued the potential of Lamont Gaillard in late July 2021, and just one month later, have another chance to claim a promising prospect to reinforce the ranks of the offensive line. Many believe that the Rams reversal of Austin Corbett to offensive guard and promoting Brian Allen was less about Allen’s rising surge and more about what the coaches saw from Corbett at the center spot and Bobby Evans at right guard after the pads went on.

It would be unwise to settle at the starting snapper under the pretext of ‘the best of the bunch’ when the Rams have invested so much into starting quarterback Matthew Stafford.  Even if the Rams do not have a roster spot, getting Gaillard here and now gives the team a chance to stash him on the practice squad and have him available to compete for a role in the 2022 NFL season

Why the Rams shouldn’t submit another claim?

While the Rams offensive line may not be ironclad perfect, the unit has made significant progress in a short period of time. In terms of promising prospects, the Rams essentially have the makings of a full backup offensive line with AJ Jackson, Chandler Brewer, Coleman Shelton, Jordan Meredith, and Tremayne Anchrum. That alone places Bobby Evans, Jeremiah Kolone, Joseph Noteboom, and Max Pircher in limbo. Adding another offensive lineman, while benefitting the 2022 roster situation, will complicate any effort to create an optimal offensive line for the current 2021 season.

Of course, there is always the subliminal messaging that accompanies any moves by the team’s personnel department. After the team has realized significant improvement from the offensive line reserves, it may not be a very well-received message to send to the players after progress has been made. Ultimately, even if the team submits a claim, they may not be awarded the player.

Stay tuned. This is just one of the rapidly developing stories for the LA Rams today.