LA Rams quick reaction NFL Draft grades 2022: AJ Arcuri

With the 261st pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, the LA Rams selected offensive tackle AJ Arcuri from the Michigan State Spartans. Here’s a little bit about Arcuri and what he brings to the Rams team. The Rams selected an offensive tackle with their 261st overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, the second rookie offensive lineman that they selected. Wisconsin’s OG/OT Logan Bruss was the first one, who they chose with their first pick, the 104th overall selection.

After losing Andrew Whitworth this offseason to retirement, and Austin Corbett to free agency, the LA Rams are trying to build back depth on their offensive linemen. Joe Noteboom, who’s been a good backup, is expected to be the starter. Behind him is a lot of unknown talent.

Adding Arcuri is simple – the Rams want to continue to develop talent like they did Noteboom, who was a third-round pick in 2018.

Why the Rams elected to select AJ Arcuri

AJ Arcuri performed this offseason at the Hula Bowl but did not get invited to any of the all-star games after that. His size is ideal for the tackle position, if not a little lean. He bounced between left and right tackle for Michigan State and appears to be better suited to play right tackle at the next level.  Still, that experience as a swing tackle for a Big-Ten school means that he has already faced some of the nation’s fiercest pass rushers.

The issue with Arcuri is that while he is powerful, he lacks the ideal quickness to handle a speed rush off of the edge and tends to play with his pad level too high. If you want to see some lowlights from him, watch him get eaten alive by Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo when the Spartans played Michigan. His quickness and set aren’t ideal. That’s what the Rams will be looking to work with him to improve.

But they are coachable traits. Things that cannot be coached are size and length, and Arcuri scores nicely in those areas.

How soon will we see him on the field?

AJ Arcuri is not likely to get on the field in the near future. He’s still at least two years away from breaking some of these habits and getting into good mechanics – especially with his footwork.

I think he can be a suitable backup in a year or two. The Rams got themselves a guy who has room to grow in his frame and learn to be a solid professional.

Pick 261: Michigan State OT A.J. Arcuri