[ramsman34]

The Chargers and Seahawks are playing for their playoff lives. We will se how the OL and the offense holds up as well as how the “what’s that guy’s name” defense plays against them both and make our season conclusions as well as all opine on what we think needs to be done to get back to that SB level team.

[Elvis]

Here's the latest from Jourdan:

https://theathletic.com/4025345/2022/12 ... ed_article

Offensive line

The offensive line has finally gotten its footing after starting the 2022 season with 12 combinations in 13 games. Two of the three players the Rams invested in via multiyear extensions this offseason, left tackle Joe Noteboom and center Brian Allen, have suffered season-ending injuries.

In 2023: I believe the Rams’ best version of the offensive line looks like this: Alaric Jackson (if he’s healthy), Noteboom or other, Coleman Shelton, Logan Bruss/Tremayne Anchrum/other, Rob Havenstein. The Rams could add to the position in free agency and the draft, but some of the players thrust into larger roles this season — such as Jackson and Shelton — have displayed huge potential despite their “undrafted free agent” billing. Like it or not, the Rams don’t necessarily adhere to a lineman’s draft status when equating his role or fit in their system.

I also think the Rams should keep Oday Aboushi if they can, as he has proved to be a solid depth player in a pinch. They will get Bruss back, but he still needs time to develop, and Anchrum should also be back and can play guard and backup tackle. Chandler Brewer played well at right guard in limited snaps before his injury.

The Rams would incur $7 million in dead money in 2023 alone if they cut Noteboom after June 1, and the toll would be $13 million before that date. The financial hit is far less if they trade him after June 1, but it’s hard to believe other teams would do that without first seeing how Noteboom returns from injury. For that reason, the Rams’ best 2023 option may be to play Noteboom at guard. His contract becomes much more movable in 2024. If Allen is cut before June 1, the Rams incur a $4.5 million dead-money hit, but a post-June 1 cut is a $1.8 million hit. The Rams love both players as teammates, but durability has always been a concern and certainly is now.

[AvengerRam]

I think the Rams' best chance of really improving the OL will be to find an anchor for the unit with their first (second round) pick in the draft. If the class is deep enough, I'd prefer that person be a LT, but I would not be opposed to drafting an OG or C if the highest rated OL on the Rams' board is not a LT. With the addition of a young, talented, starter (and better health), I think the Rams can get the OL to back to the level it was in 2021.

[ramsman34]

I think the Rams' best chance of really improving the OL will be to find an anchor for the unit with their first (second round) pick in the draft. If the class is deep enough, I'd prefer that person be a LT, but I would not be opposed to drafting an OG or C if the highest rated OL on the Rams' board is not a LT. With the addition of a young, talented, starter (and better health), I think the Rams can get the OL to back to the level it was in 2021.

I hear ya but I don’t think the Rams use a high pick on OL unless that prospect is a cant-miss guy. I see them going edge with that pick if at all possible/there is high talent available. They could also go stud RB. But with Akers’ resurgence, that may not be in play either. It will be interesting to see which way they go with their first pick. As we know, a trade of that pick is very possible as well.

[AvengerRam]

I hear ya but I don’t think the Rams use a high pick on OL unless that prospect is a cant-miss guy. I see them going edge with that pick if at all possible/there is high talent available. They could also go stud RB. But with Akers’ resurgence, that may not be in play either. It will be interesting to see which way they go with their first pick. As we know, a trade of that pick is very possible as well.

In the drafts since McVay arrived, the Rams' highest selection has been the following positions:

2017 TE (Gerald Everett, pick #44)
2018 OT (Joe Noteboom, pick #89)
2019 S (Taylor Rapp, pick #61)
2020 RB (Cam Akers, pick #52)
2021 WR (Tutu Atwell, pick #57)
2022 OG (Logan Bruss, pick #104)

Not sure you can glean any trend or pattern from that, and we certainly have used our highest picks (3rd rounders due to trades) on OL during the McVay era.

[majik]

According to OvertheCap

Noteboom is $15.5M if he is on the team and $13M if he is not (save $2.5M)

Allen is $6.8 M if he is on the team and $4.2M if he is not. (save $2.6M)

These are both pre-June 1st cut figures if I am reading the OvertheCap 2023 chart correctly

[Elvis]

The Rams don't really have any hard and fast rules about this stuff. They seem to use an omni approach, maybe they draft a guy, maybe a free agent, maybe a trade, maybe they like who they already have.

Les Snead has claimed in the past that they would've take Bradbury (a center) with their 1st round pick in 2019 had Minnesota not taken him ahead of them. He's also said they figure you can get starting Oline a lot of ways so why not trade picks for proven guys like Ramsey or Stafford.

They said they were happy with who they had at center when they let Blythe go in 2020 and they meant it.

So i don't think we can rule anything in or out based on how they do stuff...

[PARAM]

I hear ya but I don’t think the Rams use a high pick on OL unless that prospect is a cant-miss guy. I see them going edge with that pick if at all possible/there is high talent available. They could also go stud RB. But with Akers’ resurgence, that may not be in play either. It will be interesting to see which way they go with their first pick. As we know, a trade of that pick is very possible as well.

Edge - TE with the first two picks, not necessarily in that order. There will be no "can't miss" LT available at #39 more than likely. I like the guy from Georgia.....Darnell Washington....6'7", 270 lbs....and being a TE who can block and catch, he fits two needs. Edge seems to be one of the deepest positions in the draft, so we ought to still be able to grab one in the third round.

We will get 4 comp picks and they're projected to be in the 5th (2), 6th and 7th rounds. Here's something from NFL.com in May....

Comp-pick analysis: For the second year in a row, the Rams will reach the maximum level of compensatory picks, as they allowed several free agents to walk (whether because of cap constraints or by choice). Miller's departure for Buffalo and Robinson's arrival cancel each other out. Among the Rams' qualifying losses, Joseph-Day is the most interesting, given that he could end up fetching Los Angeles a third fifth-rounder instead of a sixth, if he's able to play a higher number of passing snaps than expected for the Chargers. Ogbonnia Okoronkwo's signing by the Texans appears set to bring the Rams a seventh-round pick, with the Texans' failure to draft a defensive end putting Okoronkwo in position to earn playing time this season.

SJD has started 14 games, and has played over 70% of the snaps in 8 of them. He's played over 60% in 5 others. Obo has played every game for the Texans, starting 6. He's got 4.5 sacks and 39 tackles. Corbett has played 100% of the snap this year.

What I'm getting at is we may get a better haul of comp picks than what was projected. If we do, we'll have options, particularly with our total picks sitting at 10. If we get three 5th round comp picks and a 6th or 7th, we could move up with our first couple of picks. Or move into a higher round with our comp picks and perhaps a 2024 pick thrown in, as we will have the full compliment there. It's going to be interesting to see what we are given and how Snead/McVay use them to maneuver around the board.

[PARAM]

The Rams don't really have any hard and fast rules about this stuff. They seem to use an omni approach, maybe they draft a guy, maybe a free agent, maybe a trade, maybe they like who they already have.

Les Snead has claimed in the past that they would've take Bradbury (a center) with their 1st round pick in 2019 had Minnesota not taken him ahead of them. He's also said they figure you can get starting Oline a lot of ways so why not trade picks for proven guys like Ramsey or Stafford.

They said they were happy with who they had at center when they let Blythe go in 2020 and they meant it.

So i don't think we can rule anything in or out based on how they do stuff...

Bradbury is a free agent this year. If they can sign him, it should be a smooth transition from O'Connell to McVay. And he should be much cheaper than any quality UFA LT.

[PARAM]

In the drafts since McVay arrived, the Rams' highest selection has been the following positions:

2017 TE (Gerald Everett, pick #44)
2018 OT (Joe Noteboom, pick #89)
2019 S (Taylor Rapp, pick #61)
2020 RB (Cam Akers, pick #52)
2021 WR (Tutu Atwell, pick #57)
2022 OG (Logan Bruss, pick #104)

Not sure you can glean any trend or pattern from that, and we certainly have used our highest picks (3rd rounders due to trades) on OL during the McVay era.

I can. Offense 5 out of 6 years.