4 Rams offensive linemen bound to be claimed long before practice squad

The Los Angeles Rams roster is truly bursting with talent right now. If needed, the team could fill a 70-man roster and still have regrets over the players forced to be cut. Trimming the roster to 53 players seems almost impossible to do without some real difficulty and, perhaps, a bit of pain.

LA's offensive line might be the most challenging group of all. The team is dealing with starting LT Alaric Jackson’s battle with blood clots, durability concerns surrounding veteran RT Rob Havenstein, and Ironman RG Kevin Dotson pushing through a bruised chest. That combination puts added pressure on the team to carry enough depth on the roster.

The team managed to sneak some excellent players onto the practice squad last season, but not all made it. The New England Patriots claimed Zachary Thomas off the Rams’ waiver wire last year. The same fate could await these four offensive linemen if the team tries to slip them through to the practice squad.

Look out for these 4 Rams linemen to find new homes if cut

This team knows they'll need to carry plenty of offensive linemen on the roster this season. However, knowing and doing are two very different things. Despite them already releasing their first unofficial Rams depth chart, the more accurate picture after a preseason game shakes out like this:

LT - Alaric Jackson*, DJ Humphries, Warren McClendon Jr., AJ Arcuri
LG - Steve Avila, Wyatt Bowles
C - Coleman Shelton, Beaux Limmer, Dylan McMahon, Willie Lampkin
RG - Kevin Dotson, KT Leveston, Justin Dedich, Ben Dooley
RT - Rob Havenstein, David Quessenberry, Trey Wedig
* Alaric Jackson could start the season on IR for 4 weeks
Underlined names started in Game 1 of preseason

Head coach Sean McVay sat his five starters, Humphries, and McClendon. That suggests those seven will make the roster. That leaves a lot of guys on the outside looking in. And these four seemingly have the steepest hills to climb:

(4) - IOL Justin Dedich

The Rams are loaded with offensive line talent this year, and Dedich presents the first real challenge for the team. He won’t start over Beaux Limmer and is locked in a neck-and-neck battle with McMahon for a roster spot. But with his starting experience from 2024, his versatility in playing all three interior offensive line positions, and his affordable price, he would almost certainly be claimed the moment he hits the Rams’ waiver wire.

(3) - David Quessenberry

The plan was to have a veteran right tackle in reserve in case Rob Havenstein struggled to bounce back after offseason procedures cleaned up his shoulders. Quessenberry has proven to be far more than just a warm camp body or an insurance policy.

Per Rams beat writer Eric Lambkins II, both he and Justin Dedich displayed athleticism and range in Game 1 of the preseason. If the 34-year-old is released, another NFL team looking to strengthen its offensive tackle position will scoop him up quickly.

(2) - Willie Lampkins

The NFL wasn’t quick to give 5-foot-11, 290-pound rookie Willie Lampkin a chance. Now, with legitimate game footage showing him manhandling and pancaking NFL defensive linemen, multiple teams would line up to add him to their active roster. Strengthening that case is his inclusion among Pro Football Focus’s top-graded offensive players.

The eyes don’t lie — the 23-year-old is a future NFL star. The challenge is that he’s fighting for a roster spot on a team with very few to spare. If the team tries to sign him to their practice squad, could they lose him to another team? After his latest performance, it would take a miracle to sneak him through.

(1) - Wyatt Bowles

Shrine Bowl scout Noah Chang loved the Rams’ signing of Utah State's Wyatt Bowles — and so did we. He racked up 51 pancake blocks at Utah State, and now the 6-foot-5, 300-pound behemoth is manhandling NFL defensive linemen. The Rams clearly liked what they saw, giving him nearly the entire game at left guard.

He reportedly played 24 pass protection snaps, and did not allow a single pressure.

Bowles might sneak onto the practice squad if his workload is limited in the final two preseason games. However, that strategy would defeat the purpose of preseason — preparing players for future roles in the regular season.

Tough choices await LA's coaching staff and front office. Some talented offensive linemen will almost certainly be released. But after surveying those who may fall victim to the numbers game, fans should prepare for some, if not all, to be claimed off waivers before making it to the Rams’ practice squad. As always, thanks for reading.