Rams finally tap UFL with the latest Rams free agency trio of offensive linemen

The LA Rams have been quite busy so far this offseason. As players have been getting banged up, the team has done an admirable job of finding replacements to reinforce the Rams Roster. In fact, the latest Rams free agency shopping spree resulted in the team adding three offensive linemen. But that is unlike Rams GM Les Snead. So let's talk about this bizarre event.

It's not as though the LA Rams do not know who will start on the offensive line. That was prescribed in the off-season when the Rams extended LT Alaric Jackson, RG Kevin Dotson, and signed FA left guard Jonah Jackson. But as the team has navigated training camp, Alaric Jackson suffered an ankle injury, RT Rob Havenstein suffered a foot/ankle injury, and LG Jonah Jackson suffered a shoulder injury.

While none of the injuries are considered to be major, the matter did complicate the team's first joint practice against the Los Angeles Chargers. But, it seems that was just the tip of the iceberg against the Chargers, as two more offensive linemen, Warren McClendon and KT Leveston were dinged up as well.

That puts a third of the team's offensive linemen, or five, as banged up already. That, in turn, has exceeded the team's tolerances for workload management. And so, Rams GM Les Snead did not stop with one free-agency signing. Rather, he signed multiple offensive linemen, as we had written about and expected him to do.

While we know that the Rams are struggling to repair offensive linemen, the team needed to act now. With multiple joint practices slated throughout the preseason, the team needs to get starters synched up as rapildly as possible. But nothing works if the offensive line is not able to block. And with five offensive linemen injured, the team's doubling up of joint scrimmages for starters (who are injured) will create an overload on players who must fill in for starters, while also drawing duty in preseason games.

So now we are left to unpack the decision as to why the Rams opted to sign three offensive linemen now, and what should fans expect as a result of these signings?

Rams reinforcements arrive

The LA Rams front office wasted no time in adding offensive linemen to the mix. For now, where they slide into the Rams depth chart and when we might see them in action is up in the air. But it's quite clear that the team needed to get some fresh blockers in Horns. So that is exactly what the team has done:

The LA Rams signed OTs Matt Kaskey and Conor McDermott, while also adding IOL Alec Lindstrom. The trio are, for now, fresh offensive linemen who will ensure that this team has enough healthy offensive linemen to handle the intensive workload before their Week 1 opener against the Detroit Lions. For now, I would not read more into their signings beyond that. But, anything is possible.

Is there more to the Conor McDermott signing than meets the eye?

While some fans may have hoped for some big ticket recognizable free agency signings, there is more to the Conor McDermott signing than meets the eye. McDermott is a robust 6-foot-8, 310-pound offensive tackle who can play on either side of the football, but who has spent more of his NFL career at right tackle. He has been a solid, ir not outstanding, offensive linemen who has seen plenty of action over his seven NFL season career.

Appearing in 55 games, and starting 17, McDermott has been a vital plug-and-play swing tackle for several NFL teams, including the Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, and finally the New England Patriots. Because he has starting experience, you have to believe that a strong showing for the Rams could put him in place to bump someone off the 53-man roster. Versatility is paramount for effective backups, and his history has been a glowing representation of exactly that.

With the team in the last contract year of both offensive tackles Alaric Jackson and Joe Noteboom, Conor McDermott could be a third option if he plays well. His most active season was 2022, in which he played 437 offensive snaps, was called for four penalties, and allowed just one quarterback sack. In 2023, he played 227 offensive snaps, committed three penalties, and allowed two quarterback sacks. He earns consistently respectable grades from Pro Football Focus, scoring 67.8 in 2023.

While I am not sliding him into a 53-man roster slot just yet, I am open to the possibility. The team must optimize every roster slot, and a swing tackle who has solid NFL experience can be vital for the team's success if he has a good showing. Right now, four offensive tackles on this team are banged up. So having a healthy option for the near-term and long-term future may be a very wise path to take.

Rams finally tap UFL for a former Rams offensive lineman

After realizing the LA Rams had not signed any former UFL players to compete in 2024, the front office doubled down on two former UFL players. Offensive tackle Matt Kaskey originally signed with the LA Rams as an undrafted free agent out of Dartmouth in 2019. At the time, he was battling drafted offensive linemen Bobby Evans and David Edwards for a roster spot. Evans and Edwards won the battle.

Kaskey was featured in an article by The Athletic's Kevin Fishbain just before his Pro Day in 2019, and to be honest, he said everything you want to see from an offensive lineman:

"You put in so much work, it’s kind of a release, getting on the field and being able to go all out and kind of be an asshole out there. It’s a competitive advantage. They don’t play as hard when they’re worried that you’re a huge douchebag out there. It’s the best way to play offensive line and the most fun way.”"

Matt Kaskey

Since that time, Kaskey has been playing hokey-pokey on the Carolina Panthers practice squad roster from 2019 through 2021. He subsequently played for the Birmingham Stallions in 2022, Kaskey very much looks the part, standing 6-foot-7 and weighing 325 pounds.

Kaskey competed in 10 games for the Stallions in 2023, starting four. He is another extremely versatile offensive lineman, playing at both guard and tackle. He started in both postseason games for the Stallions.

One of the bonuses with signing offensive linemen who are emerging from the UFL is that they have a lot of recent experience, and are arriving in game-ready shape. Of course, there is still the new city, playbook, coaches, and teammates to learn. But Kaskey knows the routine from his first stint in 2019.

Rams load up with former Cowboy before hosting 'Boys in Game 1

It is beyond my ability to imagine what it must be like for former Dallas Cowboys interior offensive lineman Alec Lindstrom to continue to pursue his dream of playing football after suffering two back injuries. But respect and admiration certainly come to mind. If yo do not recall, Alec Lindstrom was a promising center out of Boston College who signed with the Dallas Cowboys after the 2022 NFL Draft.

He had an outstanding training camp, and even played in preseason games for the Cowboys. But he was fighting for a limited number of roster spots, was cut from the Cowboys 53-man roster, and signed to their practice squad. He was activated for Week 2 in 2022, but did not see any action. He suffered a back injury in November 2022, and was placed on the team's practice squad injured reserve.

He returned to the Cowboys in 2023 on a Reserve Future contract, but aggravated his back injury in preseason and was released. That second false start to his NFL career sent him to seek the expertise from doctors at Brigham & Women’s and New England Baptist hospitals in Boston. There, a plan to rehabilitate his injured back was developed. After getting medically cleared to resume football-related training, Lindstrom resumed working out in the gym. He even added boxing to his workout regimen, training at EverybodyFights, a boxing gym in Boston’s Seaport.

"We used to do (boxing) as a ragtag thing, holding mitts for each other, then we got really into it. (As an offensive lineman), your hands are so important, your hand power and hand speed. It’s a great workout."

Alec Lindstrom

In January 2024, Alec Lindstrom signed a contract to play for the UFL Memphis Showboats. While the Showboats finished with a record of 2-8, Lindstrom's season was a huge success. He proved to have restored his body (and back) to a point where he can not only hold up to the taxing play of an offensive lineman, but proved to have the right mindset to flourish in the face of adversity.

If Lindstrom is truly 'back' (pun intended), then he could pick up where he left off with the Cowboys, which was one of the more impressive young offensive linemen. For now, the Rams have added three players who have the right resumes to pick up their roles quickly and can become contributors. But there is always that chance that someone plays far better than expected.

Stay tuned. And, thanks for reading.