Baldy's Breakdowns reveals the pickle that Rams coaching staff faces now

The ascension of the LA Rams offensive line since hiring OL Coach Ryan Wendall has been both dramatic and beneficial for the team. Long the overlooked group to the team, Wendall has in many ways transformed this group from the Andrew Whitworth and all others incorporated gang into a group of young, hungry, physical, and impressive players who take every opportunity to exert their will.

Just look at how this offensive line has changed in the past two seasons? In 2022, the Rams starting offensive linemen were named as: LT Joe Noteboom, LG David Edwards, C Brian Allen, RG Coleman Shelton, and RT Rob Havenstein. In 2023, the starters were LT Alaric Jackson, LG Steve Avila, C Coleman Shelton, RG Joe Noteboom -> Kevin Dotson, RT Rob Havenstein.

In 2024, the Rams have had six different iterations of the offense line, and I would argue that each has performed better than the starters of 2022. But that being said, the Rams' offensive line depth has performed magnificently even as backups have stepped into starting roles. Former Arkansas interior offensive lineman Beaux Limmer is one such player who has stepped boldly into the spotlight.

Despite falling to Round 6 (he was projected as early as Day 2 in the 2024 NFL Draft), Limmer has had an NFL's starting offensive lineman presence. I'm not saying that he is a lock as a Pro Bowler. But for the Rams, a team that has the reputation of undervaluing interior offensive linemen in the offseason.

In a shot summary, Limmer has stepped cold into the Rams offensive line and not allowed a single quarterback sack. That is the stuff that gets noticed by NFL Insider and analyst extraordinaire Brian Baldinger, who called the faceoff between Limmer and Seattle Seahawks star DT Byron Murphy a draw:

So why is that something to tout for the LA Rams? Well, Murphy was selected in Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft, while Limmer was selected in Round 6 of the same draft. But Limmer is not alone in his stellar play. The entire Rams offensive line has been ultra-protective of QB Matthew Stafford after the BYE week:

What that means is that this team, complete with two rookies, have forged an impenetrable Phalanx of Protection in recent games. And that complicates the task of coaches who must now weave returning starting offensive linemen Jonah Jackson, and eventually Steve Avila, into the starting offensive line without destroying the chemistry that this group has forged.

The upside? The Rams rushing offense could benefit tremendously from savvy veterans like Jonah Jackson and Steve Avila. The downside? Infusing new players, even NFL veterans, runs the risk of destroying the team's communication and chemistry on the offensive front.

With RT Rob Havenstein injured, the most likely change will be to install swing tackle Joe Noteboom at right tackle. The next priority will likely be swapping out Justin Dedich at right guard for Jonah Jackson, Then, the team must decide how to configure the offensive line with Avila's return. Ideally, the team would be wise to consider a starting lineup of Jackson, Avila, Limmer, Dotson, and when healthy Havenstein.

That configuration gives the team swing tackle Joe Noteboom, plus veteran Jonah Jackson as a swing interior offensive lineman. While the team invested in Jonah Jackson as a starter, the team invested in Noteboom to start at left tackle, but retreated from that position due to his durability issues. Those same durability issues are in play now.

No matter which decisions the Rams coaching staff makes, the team faces a real pickle over what to do about the offensive line. But in deciding among Justin Dedich, Beaux Limmer, Jonah Jackson, and Steve Avila, there truly may not be any wrong answers.

Thanks for reading.

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