Which witch put the hex on the LA Rams offensive line this year?

Who will likely return and start next season

While we could debate which starters from the 2022 NFL season do not deserve to start, we’ll conduct this list with the presumption that the Rams will simply reset the 2022 starters in 2023. Of the group, only left guard David Edwards may not return. Of course, the Rams already have sufficient returning veterans from this year to fill any potential roster openings.

But if the Rams open competition for all positions, that could shake up the offensive line, couldn’t it? Let’s save that conversation for a future article. For now, these are the players who will return and likely start in 2023:

Joe Noteboom, Offensive Tackle, IR, will return and likely start in 2023
The Rams promoted Joe Noteboom to left tackle to fill the void left by venerable Andrew Whitworth’s retirement. While Noteboom struggled, he never got the chance to grow into his new starting role. He started six games and played 325 offensive snaps. Over that time, he committed three penalties and allowed five quarterback sacks.  But in Week 6, he ruptured his Achilles Tendon, ending his season.

Brian Allen, Interior Offensive Lineman, will return and likely start in 2023
The LA Rams extended veteran offensive center Brian Allen before the 2022 NFL season, hoping to have him anchor the offensive line for years to come. But he suffered a knee injury that required surgery after Week 1, placing him on the inactive list for five weeks. He has since returned to his starting role and has performed as expected. In 243 offensive snaps, he has not committed any penalties but has allowed four quarterback sacks.

Coleman Shelton, Interior Offensive Lineman, will return and likely start in 2023
Just as the LA Rams extended veterans, Joe Noteboom and Brian Allen, the team extended interior offensive lineman Coleman Shelton with the intention to have him assume a starting role in this Rams 2022 season and going forward. But as has been the case for offensive linemen, Shelton suffered a high ankle sprain, sidelining him from Weeks 5 through 9. He returned to start in Week 10, but at the left guard position. Arguably the best starting offensive lineman, Shelton has played 254 offensive snaps, committing three penalties and allowing just one quarterback sack so far this season.

Rob Havenstein, Offensive Lineman, will return and likely start in 2023
The baton of Alpha-male for the LA Rams offensive line was handed off from Andrew Whitworth to Rob Havenstein in the offseason, and Havenstein has certainly done his best to show up and play to the best of his ability all season.

He is the only Rams offensive lineman to play in and start all nine games so far. He has played 554 offensive snaps, committing four penalties and allowing three quarterback sacks so far this season. He has played stable and solid so far this season, but his performance is easily lost in the chaos.