Rams landed a Top 10 rookie prospect that almost nobody is talking about

The Los Angeles Rams seldom draft offensive linemen outside of Day 3. But as was the case for many roster moves this offseason, general manager Les Snead broke from tradition and pulled the trigger on a promising offensive tackle who has a background at playing at every OL position. Of course, it's Missouri rookie OT prospect Keagen Trost

There was little consensus on major draft boards. Trost was projected as early as a Round 2 prospect, and as late as Day 3. But there is more than meets the eye to Trost's value on LA's roster. And it's that intrinsic value specifically to Los Angeles that many draft analysts fail to comprehend.

Thankfully, here are some of the key factors in why he was added on Day 2:

• A versatile offensive lineman who can plug and play any position
• An instant competitor for Warren McClendon's vacated swing-tackle role
• A mature and massive offensive lineman who knows physical play
• A veteran with 42 starts in four different offenses
• A true competitor who will benefit greatly from LA coaching

The team had already divvied out all five starting roles to veteran offensive linemen. So the need was not a starter, but a backup who could master coaching for a year. And Keagan Trost checks all the boxes.

Keagen Trost meets a wide array of Rams OL checklist items

A versatile offensive lineman who can plug and play any position

It's virtually impossible to draft a swing tackle unless they have demonstrated the ability to succeed at both tackle positions. But Trost has a full body of work that proves his versatility at every offensive line position. While he is unlikely to be tasked with more than performing at offensive tackle in 2026, the potential to be a rostered reserve for multiple positions is too valuable to resist.

An instant competitor for Warren McClendon's vacated swing-tackle role

While this may appear to be restating the obvious, it's not. Trost arrives and instantly becomes the front-runner for McClendon's vacated role. That's huge, because the team faces expiring contracts for four starters. With Trost likely to earn that swing tackle role, he becomes the natural successor for right tackle if McClendon prices himself out of an extension.

A mature and massive offensive lineman who knows physical play

The physicality of LA's offensive line will suffer a setback if a backup struggles to bully his defender. That's unlike if the 6-foot-5, 311-pound Trost steps into the lineup. He has a reputation for a physical and fast first step out of his stance that puts defenders back on their heels. He loves to block and eagerly moves to linebackers and defensive backs to extend running plays.

A veteran with 42 starts in four different offenses

While many interpret versatility as the ability to plug and play in offensive line positions, Trost brings additional versatility of starting if four different offensive philosophies. That becomes a huge advantage for a college player trying to learn an NFL playbook. His book of business already covers most, if not all, of the blocking concepts he is about to be exposed to.

And as Los Angeles learned with offensive tackle Alaric Jackson, extensive college experience is a huge plus for offensive linemen.

A true competitor who will benefit greatly from LA coaching

Keagen Trost is a rookie offensive line prospect who was viewed among the nation's most promising. But he is both coachable and passionate about football, a combination that general manager Les Snead loves to add to the roster. Unlike many teams that drafted rookie offensive linemen, LA has the luxury of keeping Trost on the bench for his rookie season.

He is the type of gifted rookie whose development will accelerate in the NFL as the coaching and competition hit the next level. Not all rookies have that type of promising upside, but LA believes that Keagen Trost does. And that should be good enough for most fans.

As always, thanks for reading,

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