Blake Hance quietly patches problems creeping up on Rams offensive line

Depth along the Los Angeles Rams' offensive line is not a luxury. Despite returning all starters from the NFL's top-scoring offense, the group needs to get deeper as training camp rolls through its first week. Pads are on, which means real football is back.

But Los Angeles has already lost key interior backup Justin Dedich to injury, at least for the time being. Meanwhile, uncertainty surrounds starting left tackle Alaric Jackson and his potential suspension to begin the year. Those challenges complicate things, even as early as camp's opening week.

In way of addressing both problems at once, the Rams earlier this week added six-year veteran Blake Hance, whose versatility lets him line up anywhere on the offensive front.

Blake Hance brings Rams veteran versatility

A bit of background: when the Cleveland Browns called up Hance start in the 2021 playoffs, quarterback Baker Mayfield walked up post-game and introduced himself to the unfamiliar face on his offensive line. Head coach Kevin Stefanski admitted that he had yet to meet Hance in person (subscription required).

In Los Angeles, don't expect Hance to be ignored. Hance is the second free agency signing along the Rams' offensive line, following the addition of veteran interior lineman Bill Murray. While Murray appears to be a response to Dedich's injury, Hance has the bandwidth and experience to slide out and spot-start at tackle as well.

Jackson continues to undergo medical treatment for a blood-clotting issue that has surfaced twice in his career. When he sat out practice to receive treatment, the team promoted veteran David Quessenberry to handle left tackle reps with the first string. But promoting Quessenberry limits options for the second-string unit. Hance's arrival corrects that.

While Murray may be training-camp depth, that is not the case for Hance. Over six NFL seasons, Hance appeared in 63 games and started 11. He has seen time at four of the five offensive line positions, but has gotten the most work at right tackle.

At 6-foot-5 and 310 pounds, Hance has the size and raw power necessary to play there. His work with the Browns, Jets, 49ers, Bills, Commanders, Titans, and Jaguars proves he can adapt to a variety of offensive schemes. He even brings playoff experience.

Hance is no Pro Bowler, but he's someone worth keeping on your radar. The 30-year-old journeyman has an impressive resume for a reserve and arrives in Los Angeles early enough to carve out a spot on the 53-man roster.

As always, thanks for reading.

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