5 first rounders the LA Rams should consider who won't replace Matthew Stafford

Option IV: Rams land a franchise blind side tackle

There is no doubt that the LA Rams would love to pair an elite franchise blind side tackle alongside left guard Steve Avila. But the Rams may not be selecting soon enough to land Penn State offensive tackle Olu Fashanu. Thankfully, Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt, who stands 6-foot-8 and weighs 315 pounds, is neck and neck in terms of talent.

Whether the Rams nane Alt or Fashanu, the Rams offensive line would suddenly become quite powerful, particularly on the left side of the offensive line where the Rams will have parked the highest picks of two consecutive drafts. But this is more than just getting players with respected pedigrees.

The foundation of any NFL team is its offensive line, and that may be especially true for the LA Rams. After all, the Rams offense has a route tree that can challenge any secondary, but only if the starting quarterback has sufficient time to make the throw. Defensive coordinators have discovered this Achilles Heel to the Rams offensive strategy, and have learned to load up with swift pass rushers who can shorten the time possible per pass, essentially collapsing the Rams routes to short or intermediate distances.

But throw in a first year starting rookie offensive tackle on Matthew Stafford's blind side, and suddenly the pocket becomes a safe haven for him once more. With a strong offensive line, everything about the team sucdenly improves. A better offensive line bolsters both the run and the pass. A stronger offense puts up more points and controls the football for a longer Time of Possession. That, in turn, rests the defense and limits the opponents' offensive play options.

There are other gifted options in this NFL draft. Let's keep going.