Chargers guard Forrest Lamp has been one of the most highly anticipated players over the past couple of seasons. Unfortunately, he has let those down after failing to stay on the field due to various lower body injuries.
Lamp has shown flashes of a solid NFL lineman, but it’s been injuries that have held him back from reaching his full potential.
Primarily the team’s backup left guard behind Dan Feeney, Lamp has only made two starts in three seasons.
However, Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski believes that Lamp is capable of emerging as a surprise starter this upcoming season. The only thing is, it wouldn’t be at left guard. It would be the starting left tackle.
Too much of an emphasis is placed on body type and arm length when evaluating offensive linemen. The quality of a prospect’s film is often overlooked when he doesn’t fit a certain mold.
The Los Angeles Chargers’ Forrest Lamp serves as a perfect example. Lamp played as well or better than any tackle prospect in the 2017 draft class. The Western Kentucky product ranked first overall in pass-blocking efficiency during his senior season, per Pro Football Focus.
Yet he never had an opportunity to play the position in the NFL before moving to guard.
Now, the Chargers have a left tackle problem after trading Russell Okung to the Carolina Panthers. Trey Pipkins and Sam Tevi, who previously started at right tackle, will compete for the starting spot. Give Lamp a legit shot to win the job, and he may just surprise.
The former Western Kentucky product was exclusively the Hilltopper’s left tackle from 2014-2016, but was moved inside due to his average height and arm length. But in each of his three collegiate seasons, Lamp was one of the most elite tackles in college football.
The coaching staff said that Lamp could be an option at left tackle since there will be a competition to fill the void at the position. But it’s a bit hard to believe that he would make the transition from guard to tackle, especially coming off of a broken leg.
Instead, it’s more likely that Lamp will push Dan Feeney for the starting left guard spot. In the end, I expect Feeney to win the job. Lamp’s only opportunity to see the field will be if an injury occurred to anyone along the offensive line, if he is able to stay healthy, that is.