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We know that the Los Angeles Rams may have a priority in the draft: interior offensive line help. Three seasons ago, the Rams had John Sullivan at center, Rodger Saffold at left guard, and Jamon Brown at right guard. Two seasons ago, on the way to the Super Bowl, LA still had Sullivan and Saffold, with Austin Blythe taking over for Brown. Then came last season.
Taking over at center was Brian Allen, a fourth round pick in 2018. He started the first nine games before an MCL injury put him on IR. Blythe was at guard, having a disappointing season, then moved over to center. Blythe was re-signed on a one-year, $3.9 million deal and he says that center is his “bread and butter” position.
Amid offensive line troubles early in the season, Les Snead traded a fifth round pick to the Cleveland Browns for reserve lineman Austin Corbett, an early second round pick in 2018. Corbett was a massive disappointment with the Browns (though being on the Browns, he was just a regular appointment) and then he started seven games following Allen’s injury and Blythe’s move.
Havenstein returned to right tackle, now much more expensive than previous years, and was having his worst season until an injury allowed for Bobby Evans, a third round rookie, to take his place. Evans seemed to be an improvement and Havenstein wasn’t seen again last season, even when he appeared healthy.
At the start of the season, Joseph Noteboom, a third rounder in 2018, was set to replace Saffold at left guard. At least as best he could. He started the first six games and a torn ACL landed him on IR. We can’t say for sure what shape he’ll be in when training camp starts or when training camp starts. David Edwards, a fifth round rookie, started the final nine games of the season. Jamil Demby, a sixth rounder in 2018, started one game and played in 146 snaps spread out over three games.
It was thought that the LA Rams objective was to replace Saffold and Sullivan, and that was the only problem — though we knew it would be a significant challenge, as those are really good players. Unfortunately, it didn’t take long into the season to realize that:
A) The replacements weren’t nearly as good
B) The replacements were injured
C) The mainstays were also disappointing
As it stands, the Rams are set to bring back pretty much every one of their offensive linemen, including Whitworth, who was re-signed to a three-year deal. We know that Whitworth will be the left tackle. Everything else seems up in the air.
So long as he’s not traded, Havenstein is too expensive to not at least begin festivities as the starter at right tackle. That being said, Evans may have played his way into the conversation and potentially enough so for Havenstein to be talked about at guard. At the time Whitworth was signed in 2017, with Greg Robinson still on the roster, it was believed that Havenstein would be moved to guard then. If Evans has outplayed him as a tackle, perhaps that talk will return.
Center seems to be a battle between Blythe and Allen, but it is possible that neither is good enough. Corbett, scouted as a center in the draft, may also be involved. And it seems like just about every name listed will be in the conversation at guard.
This is of course an article written before the draft and therefore is not yet taking into consideration rookie options, even though this author realizes that rookie options will become part of the equation. Maybe even the front line of the equation. What the author is looking to do instead is evaluate the scenario that LA is in today, before the draft. Who would be the starting five today?
Knowing that Andrew Whitworth is at left tackle, who would you like to see at the other four positions — TODAY.
Poll
The Rams starting left guard today should be
This poll is closed
-
3%
Austin Blythe
(27 votes) -
29%
Austin Corbett
(244 votes) -
0%
Jamil Demby
(7 votes) -
29%
Joseph Noteboom
(239 votes) -
23%
David Edwards
(196 votes) -
5%
Rob Havenstein
(42 votes) -
7%
Bobby Evans
(60 votes) -
0%
Brian Allen
(2 votes)
Poll
The Rams starting center today should be
This poll is closed
-
76%
Austin Blythe
(606 votes) -
11%
Austin Corbett
(91 votes) -
10%
Brian Allen
(82 votes) -
2%
Coleman Shelton
(17 votes)
Poll
The Rams starting right guard should be
This poll is closed
-
3%
Austin Blythe
(31 votes) -
9%
Austin Corbett
(74 votes) -
0%
Brian Allen
(7 votes) -
21%
Rob Havenstein
(167 votes) -
0%
Jamil Demby
(4 votes) -
38%
David Edwards
(303 votes) -
20%
Bobby Evans
(162 votes) -
4%
Joseph Noteboom
(39 votes)
Poll
The Rams starting right tackle should be
This poll is closed
-
52%
Rob Havenstein
(417 votes) -
47%
Bobby Evans
(380 votes)