The 11 All-Time best Rams offensive linemen in franchise history

Ah, offensive linemen, the horsepower to the LA Rams offense. As much as we all love to see that football arc through the air from end zone to end zone for an explosive offensive play, the guys who never seem to get enough credit are the elephants in the room. Rather, the five dancing elephants whose sole purpose is to keep defenders away from anyone with the football in their possession.

Offensive linemen are a special group of football players. While we can single out individuals to praise and bestow accolades upon, it is the cohesion and function of the entire group that spells success or disaster for the team. As such, I felt that the perfect way to honor this groups special interactions was to honor not ten, but 11, players. That is the same number as the number of players that takes the football field at any one time.

It seemed to be the perfect way to honor a group that is so dependant upon one another.

Whether it comes down to protecting the quarterback for a long enough interval to ensure that he can diagnose the defensive coverage long enough to make a completion, or opening running lanes for the running back, Rams offensive linemen dictate the tempo, the urgency, and quite often the outcome of football games.

It has certainly become a priority for the team in 2024.

Criteria for selection

Ranking five different positions in one list can be very imposing. The problem is that its similar to ranking all offesnive skill positions, which is a lot like fruit salad. But there is a cohesive element to all offensive linemen that includes pass-blocking, run blocking, and how effective these players were in comparison to their peers. These offensive linemen in this article were chosen based on a combination of:

• Statistical Achievements
• Impact on Success
• Longevity
• Memorable Moments

Now that we have that established, let's rank our offensive linemen:

11: Rodger Saffold

Offensive guard Rodger Saffold was selected by the Saint Louis Rams in Round 2 of 2010 NFL Draft with the 33rd overall pick, and proceeded to play for the team for nine seasons. During his tenure, he was a staple of the offensive line, playing 114 games for the team and starting 111 of those games. Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 325 pounds, the former Indiana Hoosiers offensive lineman was one of the reasons that the Rams competed in postseason competition in both 2017 and 2018.

Saffold, while a game-changing offensive lineman for the Rams in 2018, signed a massive four-year $44 million contract to play for the Tennessee Titans in 2019. Saffold did not allow a single sack for the Rams in the 2019 NFL Playoffs, not even against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LIII.