It’s not even training camp but the Rams have already addressed OL concerns

When the Los Angeles Rams opened training camp in 2024, there were still many questions hovering over the offensive line. As camp wore on, those questions multiplied. In fact, many answers to the offensive line were not answered until mid-season. By that time, the Rams were fighting an uphill battle to win games and land a berth in the postseason.

The questions may be different in 2025, but there are many questions hovering over the offensive line this season as well. The difference? The answers are already in place. What do I mean?

Let's rethink the challenges facing the team in 2024. The Rams had extended LT Alaric Jackson for one year, extended RG Kevin Dotson for three years, and had signed LG Jonah Jackson to a three-year contract. The team drafted IOL Beaux Limmer and OT KT Leveston. And the Rams signed several undrafted collegiate free agents. But even with all of the roster slots filled, the offensive line was unsettled.

You already know the questions and challenges that the offensive line faced as the 2024 NFL season approached. So, let's take a hard look at the burning questions from one year ago and see if and how they have been resolved for the 2025 NFL season.

III - Who is the starting center?

The first question that comes to mind is determining who will be the starting center in 2025. Last year, the Rams did not have great options. Second year IOL Steve Avila tried to cross-train to the center position, but he struggled there and suffered injuries that derailed his efforts to secure the position. Veteran IOL Jonah Jackson took over, but struggled there as well, also facing injuries that derailed his securing the position. Rookie Beaux Limmer finally had to take over and did an adequate job due to the circumstances.

This year, the team has brought back former starting center Coleman Shelton, and that is the start of good news about the offensive line. Shelton is not an All-Pro, but he is a confident veteran who knows the offense, knows the quarterback, knows the coaches, and knows his teammates. Shelton was the starting center for the Rams in Super Bowl LVI. Better still, second-year center Beaux Limmer is a very capable backup. What was a huge concern a year ago is a huge strength for the offensive line in 2025.

II - Who will start in Week 1 on the offensive line?

The Rams opened Week 1 in 2024 with both starting offensive tackles unable to play. And so, the team started Joe Noteboom at left tackle, Steve Avila at left guard, Jonah Jackson at center, Kevin Dotson at right guard, and Warren McClendon at right tackle. But injuries to Joe Noteboom forced the team to sub in AJ Arcuri at left tackle. Likewise, an injury to Avila forced the team to shift Jonah Jackson to left guard, and sub in Beaux Limmer at center.

While injuries can still happen before Week 1, the Rams know who the projected starters will be already. They are:

• Left Tackle - DJ Humphries
• Left Guard - Steve Avila
• Center - Coleman Shelton
• Right Guard - Kevin Dotson
• Right Tackle - Rob Havenstein

The benefit to this configuration is the fact that four of the projected five starters know their roles and the Rams offense like the back of their hands. That means that much of the learning process about chemistry, coordination, communication, and continuity is already firmly entrenched. As far as starting DJ Humphries at left tackle until Alaric Jackson is medically cleared and ready to take over? Humphries is a far better backup than former swing-tackle Joe Noteboom.

Even knowing that Alaric Jackson is out for an unspecified period gives the group plenty of time to work out everything for the start of the 2025 NFL season. And as long as the remaining offensive linemen stay healthy, this could be a very strong group this season.

I - Does the offensive line have adequate depth?

The next and perhaps final question posed by Rams fans about the offensive line is whether or not the group has adequate depth. Well, the pads have not gone on, but this Rams offensive line appears robust. Not just in depth, but in talent and quality of players as well. Except for right guard, every position is at least two players deep with NFL starting experience.

And I'm not going to lie. I'm excited to see what undrafted rookie IOL Willie Lampkin can do in the preseason.

• Left Tackle - DJ Humphries | Alaric Jackson (IR) | Warren McClendon Jr. | AJ Arcuri
• Left Guard - Steve Avila | Justin Dedich | Wyatt Bowles
• Center - Coleman Shelton | Beaux Limmer | Dylan McMahon
• Right Guard - Kevin Dotson | Willie Lampkin | Ben Dooley
• Right Tackle - Rob Havenstein | David Quessenberry | KT Leveston | Trey Weddig

Is it too soon to feel this good about the Rams' offensive line? Perhaps. But as you look over the depth of this group, it's not too soon to smile and truly appreciate the efforts and accomplishments of GM Les Snead and the Rams front office in assembling a deep and competitive group. All Pros? Perhaps not. But this is a group that will do well in 2025. And if Alaric Jackson returns to health sooner than expected?

This offensive line could end the season among the top five offensive lines in the NFL. It’s not even training camp, but the Rams have already addressed OL concerns. Now, they simply have to remain injury-free. Easy peasy, right?

As always, thanks for reading.

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