Yes, LA Rams have a huge need at offensive tackle in the 2025 NFL Draft

The LA Rams are quite happy with their starting offensive tackles. Why not? Left tackle Alaric Jackson and right tackle Rob Havenstein are veterans, both play consistent football, and neither has disastrous games. But in 2024, the players who back up the offensive tackles are far less dependable.

The team has swing tackle Joe Noteboom. But in 2024, Noteboom has been both erratic and injury-prone. That tendency to be injured opened the window for offensive tackle Warren McClendon Jr. to step up for the team in Week 11. While he still needs refinement, the team was pleased to find that he did not allow a single quarterback sack

Unfortunately, that was not the case in Week 12.

The Rams win whenever they keep veteran QB Matthew Stafford protected. In three games in 2024 without allowing a quarterback sack, the Rams have a record of 3-0. When they allow defenses to sack Stafford, they are 2-5. It's early in the third quarter, and the Rams have already allowed Stafford to be dropped like a sack of rice three times.

And Eagles OLB Brandon Graham simply runs right past right tackle Warren McClendon Jr. for a sack.

That creates more than a problem in Week 12. The Rams roster depth on the offensive line, once projected to be a strength for 2024, has not shown up as expected. The Rams interior offensive line, while still working on continuity, appears to be set for the future.

I had hoped that the Rams might have some potential in Warren McClendon Jr. as a successor to veteran Havenstein. But after a tough Week 12, I'm not so sure.

Let's be fair. The Rams win when they use two tight ends. But for whatever reason, they simply chose not to give McClendon a helping hand against the mighty Eagles pass rush. So if you want to assign blame, you have to start with the game plan. How could the coaches expect seldom used McClendon to withstand the Eagles pass rush and Vic Fangio's defensive scheme?

Based on what we've seen, that was a huge faux pas. And the Eagles, fueled by nearly 200 yards of offense from RB Saquon Barkley, have taken a commanding 27-14 lead.

This game was always going to be about the battle at the line of scrimmage. So far, the Eagles are winning the battle.

As always, thanks for reading.

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