Les Snead steps up as the LA Rams rumored to reinforce roster for 2nd time

When the LA Rams offensive line was not quite 'there' as the season approached in 2023, GM Les Snead did what he always seems to do. He found a keystone player on the Pittsburgh Steelers bench in IOL Kevin Dotson who would become the strongest offensive lineman on the Rams roster last season.

Has lightning struck again? Perhaps.

After just one joint practice with the Los Angeles Chargers, the Rams offense was anything but polished and prepared. While that can be expected for the Rams, pitting a makeshift offensive line that included three backups against the Chargers dominating pass rush, it was not something that the team nor Head Coach Sean McVay was content with at this late stage of the offseason.

The Rams have LT Alaric Jackson (ankle), LG Jonah Jackson (shoulder), and RT Rob Havenstein (foot/ankle) sitting out right now and are on week-to-week designations. In their place the Rams have promoted Joe Noteboom (LT), Zach Thomas (LG), and Warren McClendon (RT).

One player whose name stuck out as struggling to contain Chargers elite pass rushers like Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa was backup RT Warren McClendon. McClendon did see some action in 2023, but it seemed that he is not quite ready to step up and handle the starting role in the absence of Havenstein. That poor performance ignited rumors that Rams GM Les Snead would take immediate action.

Now, it seems that he will.

Per NFL Insider Mike Garafolo, the LA Rams are expected to sign OL Conor McDermott to reinforce the Rams thinning roster. McDermott specializes at right tackle, but can line up on either side of the football. While not an outstanding tackle, he is more than capable of suiting up and playing as a spot starter to give starter time to heal.

Best of all, it looks like he will be joining the team.

What does this mean for the Rams depth chart? Is there some unspoken concern that Rob Havenstein will not suit up for Week 1? At this point, all we can say is that the team appears to be reinforcing the roster at right tackle.

Will more be on the way? I suppose that all depends on how well Conor McDermott works out.

It is the right move for now. But if it's anything like adding Kevin Dotson, this could be a much bigger deal than you might think. And Les Snead continues to wast no time in doing so.