Matthew Stafford gave Rams fans reason to believe (tentatively) in Keagen Trost

The Los Angeles Rams have a glaring question at left tackle with Alaric Jackson almost certainly poised for a suspension to begin the year. While they have palatable depth on the interior, that is not so much the case at tackle. 

One option to fill in for Jackson is rookie Keagen Trost, and right now, he is likely the best option on the roster. Veteran David Quessenberry logged just 18 offensive snaps last season, and 110 the year before with the Vikings. 

Of course, starting Trost in Week 1 would be far from ideal. He is a third-round rookie, after all, and is coming off a rather quiet training camp. He did, though, show up to work in Tuesday's joint practice against the Cowboys, which prompted reporters to ask quarterback Matthew Stafford what he sees in his young tackle:

"He's gotten in there and competed, which is what you want, right?" Stafford said. "You want guys that go look like they belong. He definitely does that. He's had his opportunities to be in there with the ones, the twos, right side, left side. Never really blinks, just goes in there and plays ball.

"You can appreciate guys that show up and go to work like that. He's a rookie. He's got a lot to learn like everybody does, you know, but at the same time, when he's in there, I'm not batting an eye. Here we go. Let's go play ball."

Well, that's about what we could expect after not hearing much about Trost during camp. Reading between the lines, Stafford gives him his flowers without sounding overly confident in the rookie's abilities. Still, there's enough there to hope that Trost can use the preseason to grow and develop into a serviceable substitute to tide the team over until Jackson returns.

Keagen Trost has work to do, but he still has time

The cynical (practical?) perspective is that the Rams have no better answer to the hole at left tackle than they did last month ago when the reality of Jackson's looming suspension set in, despite having his charges dropped. Will Trost be ready? I dunno. It's easy to read too much into Stafford's remarks either way. He gave no glowing praise. It's also not like he was scrambling for something nice to say.

It's a tall order regardless asking Trost to start, but what his quarterback did say suggests that the No. 93 pick has enough grit and grind in him to make the most of three preseason contests. It's encouraging to hear that Trost already looks like he belongs, and that Stafford at least feels comfortable enough to operate with Trost in protection. 

It's also a positive that he's had reps on either side, given Warren McClendon's preference at right tackle, where Trost played at Missouri last season. The Rams will have more options if Trost can serve capably at both spots. 

It would help, of course, for him to gain experience with Stafford in the pocket, but that won't happen in the preseason. Instead, Trost will be tasked with blocking for fellow rookie Ty Simpson.

Head coach Sean McVay remains undecided on whether Stetson Bennett, Stafford's presumed backup, will get reps. It's also possible that undrafted rookie Matthew Caldwell could see the field, most likely in the final game. 

Nonetheless, any experience will be good experience for Trost. He'll have to continue maximizing his chances for the Rams to feel confident trotting him out against the San Francisco 49ers on September 10.

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