Despite allowing the fewest sacks in the NFL this season, the Los Angeles Rams offensive line was the weakest part of the team. Andrew Whitworth was the only one who started every game at the same spot, which is a massive change from the previous two seasons when the Rams had the same players start just about every game up front.
Rob Havenstein, Joseph Noteboom and Brian Allen all suffered what turned out to be season-ending injuries, thrusting Bobby Evans, David Edwards and Austin Corbett into the starting lineup. Austin Blythe also had to switch to center when Allen went down.
The Rams’ offensive line depth was tested, and for the most part, it passed. Edwards was an upgrade at guard, Blythe played better at center and both Corbett and Evans held their own as starters.
Heading into 2020, Blythe and Whitworth are both free agents. Whitworth intends to play another season and returning to L.A. would be his top choice. Blythe should be cheap enough for the Rams to re-sign, if they so choose.
Assuming Whitworth returns, the front office’s priority shouldn’t be to find more backups and bolster the depth. It should be to add top-end talent – a task that’s far easier said than done, of course.
Here’s how their depth chart could hypothetically look if Whitworth and Blythe are back.
- LT: Andrew Whitworth, Joseph Noteboom
- LG: Austin Corbett/Joseph Noteboom
- C: Austin Blythe/Brian Allen
- RG: David Edwards/Austin Blythe
- RT: Rob Havenstein, Bobby Evans
It may not be the best offensive line in the NFL, but it certainly doesn’t lack depth. Every player listed above started at least six games last season, which is valuable experience heading into 2020.
Where the issues really show themselves is on the interior – as was the case last season. It’s reasonable to think the Rams could have open competitions at both guard spots and center. Corbett and Noteboom are evenly matched at left guard, so that battle could go either way. At center and right guard, Blythe would be in contention at both. He looked like a better center than guard last season, and Edwards far outplayed Blythe when he was at guard.
At right tackle, there shouldn’t be much concern as long as Havenstein can return to the way he played in 2018 when he looked like a Pro Bowler. If he can’t, Evans gained valuable experience as a starter last season.
None of this is to say the Rams should ignore the offensive line just because they have good depth. In fact, it’s just the opposite. They need to prioritize the offensive line by committing assets to the unit, be it with their first pick in the draft (No. 52 overall) or by spending for someone like Joe Thuney or Connor McGovern.
Spending fifth- and sixth-round picks on the offensive line won’t do much to solve the Rams’ biggest issue. Those players aren’t likely to become starters in Year 1, and Los Angeles doesn’t need to spend resources on backups right now.
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