It's not even training camp, but Rams big-bodied OL has chips on its shoulders

Looking back over time at the factors that have contributed to the success, or lack thereof, of the campaigns of the Los Angeles Rams, there is a solid argument to be made over the durability and health of the offensive line. That is to say, however, that wherever the Rams' offensive line goes, the team goes. And that has proven to be a huge problem for the team, but has also been a strong factor in the team's success.

If you look back over the two occasions when the team failed to make the NFL playoffs, the Rams' offensive line fell apart. In 2019, an injury epidemic forced the team to trade with the Cleveland Browns for IOL Austin Corbett. Corbett was quickly coached up and inserted into the starting lineup. In 2023, another outbreak of injuries forced the team to trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers for IOL Kevin Dotson.

It's clear that if the offensive line falls apart, the Rams front office sounds the alarm, working the phones and ensuring that the team has the best offensive line possible. That was true even in 2022 when the team signed offensive linemen off the street, some of whom were eventually promoted to a starting role.

The struggles out of the gate last season had many contributing factors, but opening the season on the road to face the Detroit Lions without both starting offensive tackles was a huge complication. In that first game, the team lost backup left tackle Joe Noteboom and left guard Steve Avila. The team rolled through multiple unsatisfactory iterations of the offensive line through the Week 6 BYE before settling into a sustainable group.

But with the latest news of left tackle Alaric Jackson suffering from blood clots, the same ailment that shut him down for the second half of the 2022 NFL season, fans are getting a bit nervous and anxious about the upcoming 2025 NFL season. Is this year doomed to struggle as well? Or have the painful lessons learned in the past put the team on the right track? It's not even training camp, but the Rams' big-bodied offensive line has chips on its shoulders

Will that be enough? Let's dig in and take a discerning look at the Rams' offensive line for the 2025 NFL season.

Left tackle

It's no secret that the key to the Rams' offensive line is the left tackle. And since taking over as the starting left tackle, Alaric Jackson has proven to be up to the task. Not only does he anchor the offensive line with admirable efficiency when he suits up and steps onto the football field, but any time he is unable to do so becomes completely obvious to Rams fans because the performance of anyone who takes over at the position leaves a lot to be desired.

Now that the Rams face the risk of starting the 2025 NFL season without Alaric Jackson, fans are anxious. But before that nervous energy becomes something negative, let's pause, ponder, and perpend.

Hope is not lost for Alaric Jackson to clear all medical flags and return to football practice in time to ramp up for the 2025 NFL season. But the ETA for Jackson's return is shrouded in mystery. Even if the team was confident in a returning offensive tackle to assume a starting role for the team until Jackson's return, the depletion of depth at the offensive tackle position is not a risk this team is willing to take after facing Week 1 without either starting offensive tackle last season.

The team signed veteran starting left tackle DJ Humphries as an extra insurance policy. While Humphries did not play often for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2024, he was signed at the end of November 2024 and was forced to try making his comeback at the end of the 2024 NFL season for a Super Bowl contender.

He was an eight-year veteran left tackle of the Arizona Cardinals and a Pro Bowler as recently as 2021. He is now 31 years old, but as we know, offensive tackles with vast experience can be huge assets for the team. He struggled in limited work in 2024, but he was coming off a very serious 2023 injury. Now, fully healed and getting the total benefit from training camp, Humphries could be an NFL Comeback Player of the Year candidate.

The Rams are prepared if Alaric Jackson is unable to go with DJ Humphries aboard. And with the team boasting two options to start at left tackle, the roster is set for a solid season. And the team does have a third option in AJ Arcuri, but he showed little promise in a limited role last season.