3 reasons we all missed how LA Rams OT Alaric Jackson will shine in 2024

Reason II: He's a smooth operator

It became clear throughout the Rams 2023 training camp that the offensive line would be a focus of some dramatic changes. The players who were added in the draft were of a different ilk. The Rams prototypical offensive lineman gravitated away from versatile and more towards athletic, powerful, and physical.

The changes may have seemed minor to fans, but they ended up being a major reason why the team opted to give Alaric Jackson the nod to start at left tackle. Keep in mind that this was a huge vote of confidence in a player who went undrafted in 2021, and was battling health issues for his NFL career in 2022. In 2023, he was in a fierce battle for the premier starting offensive line role for this team:

In terms of his first season as the starting left tackle, Alaric Jackson performed quite admirably. He was dinged up in Week 3, forcing him to miss Week 4. He also was out in Week 17 as well, but did play the entire game in Week 18 to prepare for the 2024 NFL Playoffs. While the team did manage to play to a 2-1 record without Jackson, the games were much closer in terms of the final score than you may have expected.

In terms of individual performance, Pro Football Focus attributed 968 offensive snaps, three penalties called, and one quarterback sack allowed by Jackson in 2023. In terms of the 2024 NFL Playoffs, Jackson played 58 offensive snaps, was not called for a penalty, and did not allow a single quarterback sack.

Not bad for his first season as a starter, eh?