LA Rams tipped to sign Cardinals OG in free agency

Positives, but not enough durability

There have been some positives, like during Week 13’s closely contested 27-23 setback against the Seattle Seahawks. Rams’ tackles Ty Nsekhe and Rob Havenstein performed well, but any progress has usually been followed by more decline.

That’s what happened when right tackle Havenstein “allowed five pressures and had three penalties” against Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby, per Sam Monson of Pro Football Focus. The same source also revealed:

"“The Rams line has allowed 158 total pressures on the season, the fifth-most in the league. They rank dead last in pass-blocking efficient on the season. – per Sam Monson of Pro Football Focus"

The Rams need a replacement interior offensive lineman, and Hernandez needs a new team. That makes sense, right?

Rams Free Agency should focus on signing veteran upgrades

This line needs an infusion of talent, but it also needs a more aggressive streak. Hernandez has never been short of aggression, from scrapping with Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt at camp last offseason, to getting thrown out of the game vs. the Carolina Panthers in Week 4 for shoving a referee while defending running back James Conner:

Hernandez has made $1.035 million in base salary this year, per Spotrac.com, so he’d be available within Snead’s projected cap limit of just over $2.3 million of free salary cap space.

Of course, the dollars must make sense (pun intended) for the LA Rams to pursue Hernandez, and the team has seldom pursued free agent offensive linemen since signing FA OT Andrew Whitworth. Is it time to rethink that strategy? Perhaps yes. Signing an accomplished veteran interior offensive lineman takes all the pressure off the LA Rams hitting the mark in the 2023 NFL Draft.

In the end, perhaps that is enough incentive to sign Hernandez. The Rams are better at drafting for fit and talent, then at drafting to fill an immediate roster need.