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As pads go on, here are 3 Rams who are defying expectations at training camp

Summer training camp is getting hotter all the time, and these 3 Rams players are heating up as the pads go on.

By Bret Stuter

Los Angeles Rams OTA Offseason Workout. Steve Avila
Los Angeles Rams OTA Offseason Workout. Steve Avila / Ric Tapia/GettyImages
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III: The (epi)center of this Rams earthshaking offensive line

The versatility of LA Rams rookie left guard Steve Avila was one of the reasons why he was chosen 36th overall in Round 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft. At the time, the team needed to resolve all three interior offensive linemen starting roles. After all, there was no continuity from 2022, as the team did not re-sign LG David Edwards, the likelihood of young IOL Logan Bruss was up in the air, and the team was not sold on either center, Coleman Shelton or Brian Allen.

In the end, Avila won the starting role at left guard, Coleman Shelton returned to start at center, and the team traded for veteran Kevin Dotson, who secured the starting role at right guard. For 2023, that worked out well enough. But that was then, this is now.

Now, the Rams are moving Avila to the center position. On an offensive line, the center is the role that calls out protections, surveys the defense, and must keep his head on a swivel to stop A-Gap blitzes, help out his teammates on any necessary double teams, stop burly nose tackles, and frequently block at the line of scrimmage and downfield on running plays.

But all of that comes second nature to Steve Avila. He has the smile of a rabbit but the heart of a lion. And when it comes to football, he means business.

Looking over the play of the offensive line in 2023, it was impossible not to see Avila not only blocking his man but staying incredibly active in helping out his teammates. He was all over the place, even blocking well downfield on running plays.

So far, his role has been about recognizing defensive alignments and calling for the proper blocking assignments. Now that the pads are on, toss theory to the side and prepare for the rubber to hit the road. Avila has been described by some reports as being in line for a Pro Bowl type of season, and that remains on the table. He is defying expectations, proving to be a true powerhouse on this offensive line.

But he is not the only one.

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