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The closer the Los Angeles Rams get to the 2019 offseason, the more the 2018 NFL Draft begins to make sense.
The Rams spent three draft choices on offensive linemen, all of which play a different spot on the offensive line: a center, an interior offensive lineman and a tackle. G Jamil Demby from the Maine Black Bears was one of them at pick #192. Demby was a college LT who was a powerful run blocker in college, road grading defenders routinely and creating massive lanes for his teams running game. Demby has displayed plenty of skills in pass pro too, ultimately landing him as a sixth-round selection.
Roster battle
The road to playing time is quite cluttered for Demby - or any Day 3 rookie offensive lineman for that matter - to crack, as the Rams return all five starting offensive linemen from last year.
Things seemed to have opened up since RG Jamon Brown was suspended for the first two weeks of the season, opening up his starting spot for one of the backup players. Most likely that spot will be manned by Austin Blythe (roster preview) who received playing time and impressed last season, though the competition will truly decide who receives the playing time.
As the two starting guards in Rodger Saffold and Jamon Brown are locks to make the roster, Demby will be competing with Blythe, Aaron Neary (roster preview), Jake Eldrenkamp (roster preview), and Jeremiah Kolone (roster preview).
Expectations
I do expect Demby to crack the 53-man roster, though playing time will likely be scarce if available at all. Demby is likely a project for Offensive Line Coach and Run Game Coordinator Aaron Kromer. Being a big-bodied powerful lineman who will need to work on refining his game, there isn’t a coach I’d feel more comfortable about handing Demby to than Kromer.
Chances of Making Final Roster (7.5/10)
As you can see, I believe there’s a very good chance for Demby to crack the 53-man roster. The Rams would probably like to stuff Demby on the practice squad, but the chances of him getting snapped up by another team are real. I believe for this reason the Rams should continue to groom him as he holds a roster spot.