The Los Angeles Rams spent significant resources rebuilding their offensive line after a disastrous 2022, which was marked by historic injuries. The culmination of this process (so far) is the 4th most expensive offensive line room in the league, which includes Steve Avila on a rookie contract and Alaric Jackson being paid less than a first-round rookie. (It also includes paying Joseph Noteboom $11.6 million to ride the bench).
The big-ticket items, though, are a re-signed right guard Kevin Dotson and adding left guard Jonah Jackson. With all that money spent, it should vault this team up in offseason offensive line rankings. And in one it has. The Rams rocketed up Sharp Football Analysis rankings 18 spots, but that only landed them at #13, as they were ranked 31st heading into last year.
Analysis of Less Than Stellar Los Angeles Rams OL Ranking
Unfortunately, Sharp’s analysts don’t provide much context as to why they aren’t ranked higher. Their write-up follows the Joe Friday rule; Just the facts, ma’am.
After spending his rookie season at left guard, Steve Avila will move to center this season, and former Pro Bowler Jonah Jackson comes over from Detroit to start at left guard. Alaric Jackson allowed just one sack in his first year as the team’s left tackle.
Not only is there little to take from it, but the one bit of analysis praises the player most thought to be the line’s one weak link, Alaric Jackson. Only four starting tackles in the NFL allowed one sack or fewer last season.
Sharp isn’t completely off their rocker ranking the Rams as they did. Not one of their offensive linemen made neither ESPN’s Top 10 nor honorable mentions. Pro Football Network puts them at 12. Pro Football Focus also puts them there. But others recognize the line’s potential. The Rams Skinny put them at #5 and FTN ranked them 4th.
Sharp was wrong about the Rams’ offensive line last season and only time will tell how wrong they are about this year.
