Making LA Rams offensive line a strength in 2023 in 3-2-1 steps

The LA Rams’ offensive line has gotten a lot of negative press this season. Of course, that does tend to be the case when a five-man NFL unit has 12 different versions in the first 12 weeks of play. Injury after injury has shaken the offensive foundation of this team’s ability to score and forced the Rams’ front office to work waiver wires and NFL free agency profiles to keep this roster stocked with healthy players.

But with the Rams roster now showing 16 offensive linemen right now, the question logically turns to who has shown enough resolve/durability/production to make sense in returning for next season? It’s all a bit ambiguous right now, isn’t it? I mean, after all, this was a season that never seemed to get a good look at so many offensive linemen, because their period with playing time and health seemed to be over in the blink of an eye.

Don’t expect perfect decisions from imperfect data

But a five-man unit, trying to make the perfect decisions with no better than imperfect data, will be a very difficult matter for this team. It’s been clear with the decisions made throughout the season that the Rams have struggled between objective assessment and loyalty to players. The offense started both Bobby Evans and Jeremiah Kolone over more accomplished NFL veterans Oday Aboushi and Matt Skura.

But it was quite clear that the Rams’ offensive line, even when the team did seem to start the best five healthy offensive linemen, was stuck in a loop of injuries that would negate those decisions before the final gun sounded of the next game. So ultimately, no matter who started in which game, all roads led to this point of the season, and with these players.

So who do the LA Rams have under contract in 2023? Who should the Rams count on next season?  Where must the Rams add depth to ensure that injuries to the group do not derail the success of the entire team? We think it can be done in three steps. Of course, the first step is a bit complex, so it comes in three parts. Let’s get started so you see what we mean: