As expected, this Rams free agent lands on logical and needy NFL team

As we paused to survey the 2025 NFL offseason for the Los Angeles Rams, one thing stood out. There simply were not many former Rams players still peddling their wares in the NFL Free Agency market. Only three players remained unsigned as April 2025 came to a close.

Two of the original three remain unsigned. The three were Conor McDermott, Joe Noteboom, and John Johnson III. Only McDermott and JJIII remain, as the Baltimore Ravens have announced that they have agreed to sign former Rams swing tackle Joe Noteboom. But does it make sense?

Noteboom disappointed Rams fans simply because he was destined to become the successor to veteran left tackle Andrew Whitworth. But Joe Noteboom struggles with durability. And when he started at left tackle, he struggled with blocking. After swapping roles with Alaric Jackson, the team hoped that restoring him to the swing tackle role would befit him. But he struggled to stay healthy as a backup as well.

His contract remained lucrative, but he no longer made economic sense to keep on the roster.

While we projected Noteboom to the Buffalo Bills (after all, they seem to sign many former Rams players), we noted that he would not be unsigned for long. And we even named the Ravens as a possible landing site:

"The Minnesota VIkings make sense because Noteboom can be linked to HC Kevin O-Connell. Of course, he could also be a solution for the Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans, Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, and Baltimore Ravens. He used to play for Buffalo Bills OL Coach Aaron Kromer. If he is willing to work for a roster spot, he should be signed by some team relatively quickly. "

Bret Stuter

Noteboom may not have worked out for the Rams, but he is a solid fit for the Baltimore Ravens roster. The Ravens need a plug-and-play veteran who can slide and play at multiple positions. Noteboom started for the Rams at four of the five offensive linemen positions. The Ravens need a guy who can step in and give them quality snaps.

With a change of scenery and a blank slate, he can do that as well.

No, this is not a veiled preamble to suggesting that the Rams needed to extend Noteboom. That ship sailed in 2024 when he was unable to stay healthy over the first two games of the season, as the team faced two vital games without either starting tackle. Thankfully, the team was able to bandage up Rob Havenstein in time to start in the second game of the season.

Joe Noteboom is playing for the Ravens. Rams fans no longer need to worry about his return to the team. We have much more to discuss about the players on the team and competing for playing time this season. So, let's get right to it.

As always, thanks for reading.

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