Do you love or hate Alaric Jackson’s 2 Rams OL scenarios for 2023?

Scenario II:

Starters (left to right): Alaric Jackson, Tremayne Anchrum, Brian Allen, Coleman Shelton, Rob Havenstein
Backups: Joe Noteboom, Chandler Brewer, Matt Skura* and Ty Nsekhe* with Oday Aboushi*, AJ Arcuri, and Max Pircher
* expiring contracts mean re-signing these veteran free agents

I am much more comfortable with this scenario as the foundation for the LA Rams 2023 version of the offensive line. But even in this scenario, I believe that some tweaks are in order. I like the left side of the offensive line in this one but would add that a drafted rookie left tackle with the 37th overall pick (if one is selected there) deserves to compete for the coveted left tackle position.

I have and will continue to be of the opinion that Coleman Shelton is the better option at the offensive center. I love Brian Allen’s mean streak, but his durability is always going to be a huge question mark for me until he proves he can remain healthy for an entire NFL season. He has not done so yet in his NFL career.

Scenario II revised

With Shelton at the center, that opens a slot for either Logan Bruss or, if the LA Rams extend him into 2023, for Matt Skura to start in 2023.

If the LA Rams needed to commit draft picks towards getting a blue-chip edge rusher, cornerback, and or safety in the 2023 NFL Draft, then I actually could get behind this scenario.

Do I know more than Alaric Jackson? Goodness no. But through the course of the season, I have noted that the only time that a Rams running back has rushed for 100+ yards, Coleman Shelton was the center. That has been the case for the past two seasons and includes the final three games of 2022.  Coincidence? Sure, let’s call it that.

But the LA Rams need those coincidences in 2023 because we have witnessed that no matter who the quarterback is, without a strong running offense, NFL defenses are more than happy to pin their ears back and commit to sacking the LA Rams quarterback. Perhaps I’m a bit misdirected, but you can’t argue with the results.

Okay, so let’s wrap this up with a recap: