NFL expert calls Rams C Beaux Limmer a sixth-round steal of 2024 NFL Draft

When it comes to the LA Rams and Day 3 of the NFL Draft, this team always seems to career-best a player who ultimately exceeds all expectations. In 2022, that rookie who has stunned NFL Draft analysts is former Notre Dame RB Kyren Williams. In just his third season, Williams is on track to put up his career best season, and whose 2024 season could place him among the Rams' elite rushers. That is quite a find in Round 5.

But the team surpassed that impressive selection by adding former BYU rookie prospect wide receiver Puka Nacua. In 2023, the Rams found Nacua on Day 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft. He then proceeded to set the NFL All-Time Rookie Receiving record. Truth be told, Nacua had more in him but was pulled from that Week 18 contest as soon as he set the NFL record. Perhaps even more impressive, it was backup quarterback Carson Wentz, and not Matthew Stafford, who threw to Nacua to give him the record-setter in the final game of the season.

So when the Rams entered Day 3 of the 2024 NFL season, there was a rather lofty tradition to uphold. While the team did not necessarily land an offensive skill player, the team may have added a player who is just as beneficial. You see, the Rams selected former Arkansas rookie prospect Beaux Limmer. Limmer was a projected Day 2 rookie who played as an interior offensive linemen, but who fell to Day 3 due to the number of very talented offensive prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Limmer is a huge 6-foot-5 offensive lineman who tips the scales at 302 pounds. is a very physical player who loves to block, but whose academic record indicates a very intelligent player who has the football IQ and acumen of a quarterback. But don't be overwhelmed by Limmer's smarts, as he is truly an intimidating presence on the offensive line, and whose power is only matched by his ferocity and passion.

But he fell to the Rams, a team that in hindsight was perhaps the perfect landing spot for the young offensive lineman.

A perfect fit for the Rams roster

The Rams have struggled with the ideal offensive center for years. And when the team opted to choose swift wide receiver Tutu Atwell over rookie IOL prospect Creed Humphrey in the 2021 NFL Draft, that oversight fueled an ongoing controversy that fans would not ignore or forgive for years.

Much like an inside linebacker position that would eventually be filled by the drafted ILB Ernest Jones out of South Carolina, the Rams center position would never be addressed directly. The team would struggle with a competition between veterans Brian Allen and Coleman Shelton. But as the team taxied for the 2024 NFL season, Allen was released and Shelton's contract was not extended.

The team planned to move rookie left guard Steve Avila to center, and backfill his left guard role with former Detroit Lions free agent IOL Jonah Jackson. But early season injuries to both Avila and Jackson put the kibosh to thos plans, forcing the team to promote rookie center Beaux Limmer to a starting role:

The Rams were fortunate that the abundance of interior offensive linemen did not shake them from adding the NFL-level talent of Beaux Limmer on Day 3 of the draft. We loved Limmer from the moment his name was called out in the 2024 NFL Draft. His steadfast and physical presence has been quite the eye-opener to many NFL experts, who simply viewed Limmer as a solid backup offensive lineman.

NFL expert cites Limmer as a sixth-round steal

If necessity is the mother of invention, then it is that necessity that birthed a 6-foot-5 302-pound starting rookie center for the LA Rams in 2024. He has been improving for the team throughout the 2024 NFL season. Per Pro Football Focus, Limmer has played 807 offensive snaps, committed five penalties, and allowed just one quarterback sack.

Of course, Limmer's grades do not reflect what we see on the football field. He has an overall grade of 60.3, which is respectable. But Limmer has been rapidly improving from a hesitant and uncertain rookie to an NFL center who exudes confidence and proficiency.

Rookie offensive linemen do not have an easy task. Not only must they demonstrate an ability to handle blocking in professional football, but they must integrate their skills with that of the offensive linemen who play next to them. And then there is the nuance of facing NFL defenders for the first time in their professional careers.

Limmer has not only handled that pressure, but has shown up in a huge way. In fact, he has stood out so well that CBS Sports NFL analyst Pete Prisco has deemed him worthy of naming him a sixth-round steal:

That's a pretty big deal, particularly for the Rams whose offensive line if finally starting to take shape. The Rams close out the 2024 NFL season in rather solid shape. Not only does the team have a solid starting offensive line of Alaric Jackson, Steve Avila, Beaux Limmer, Kevin Dotson, and Rob Havenstein, but the team has IOL Jonah Jackson as a veteran who can play all three interior offensive line positions.

The only question mark to this team is the backup offensive tackle position. The Rams have OT Warren McClendon Jr., and the untested rookie K.T. Leveston to compete for a roster spot in 2025. But the team may look to reinforce the ranks with another offensive tackle in the 2025 NFL Draft.

With any luck, the Rams will find another diamond-in-the-rough at offensive tackle on Day 3 of the draft. As always, thanks for reading.

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