Latest NFL data gives Rams fans a half dozen reasons to love Ryan Wendell

The Los Angeles Rams found incredible success in 2025, advancing all the way to the NFC Championship Game. One of the key contributors to the team's amazing success was the inspired play of the offensive line. That should not be overlooked.

This was the same unit that was an uncertainty in 2024. The team started that season without either starting offensive tackle, and had to install untested rookie center Beaux Limmer in Week 2. So the questions surrounding the group were as thick as morning London fog.

The situation drew bleaker when starting left tackle Alaric Jackson struggled with a medical issue that prevented him from participating in training camp. The setbacks did not end there, as veteran right tackle Rob Havenstein was injured once more, forcing the team to promote swing-tackle Warren McClendon Jr to the starting role.

Despite the challenges, the group rallied. After a shaky start, offensive line coach Ryan Wendell settled his players into a fine cadence, and that superb synchronization lasted all the way to and through the NFL playoffs.

Coach Ryan Wendall set team up for an even better 2026

There is a long-standing tradition among LA Rams fans to lobby hard for the team to invest heavily into offensive linemen annually. It seems as though as soon as another NFL draft rolls around, social media and online forums swell with fans giving reasons for general manager Les Snead to spend picks on a rookie OL prospect.

Sometimes it makes sense. Sometimes it doesn't. Right now, despite the retirement of veteran RT Rob Havenstein,m the need for fresh offensive linemen appears to be waning. How so? Well, the latest offensive line pressure rates shared by Danel Rotman. Per his data, the LA Rams pressure rates (rate of allowing a defender to disrupt offensive plays) were outstanding in 2025. There were:

• LT Alaric Jackson - 6.15% (18th ranked)
• LG Steve Avila - 2.95% (4th ranked)
• C Coleman Shelton - 3.02% (17th ranked)
• RG Kevin Dotson - 3.84% (11th ranked)
• RT Warren McClendon Jr. - 2.94% (1st ranked)

Some things to keep in perspective. Left tackle Alaric Jackson missed all of training camp and was restored to the starting left tackle role just days before the start of the season. Right guard Kevin Dotson had to fight off a nagging injury in 2025.

To sum it all up, even the players who did not finish among the NFL's top 10 can be expected to improve in 2025. Even center Coleman Shelton should improve in his second season after returning to the team.

If not, you can bet backup center Beaux Limmer would love to get in the trenches.

With the addition of former center Brian Allen to the coaching staff, there is every reason to expect bigger and better things from the group in 2026. It all gives fans even more reasons to love offensive line coach Ryan Wendell.

As always, thanks for reading.