Rams OL thread

from Warren McClendon leads Rams PFF offensive grades at RT: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/los-angeles-rams-scores-results/128410/pff-grades-is-it-time-to-replace-rob-havenstein-at-rt

Warren McClendon, RT: 75.9

I will preface all the offensive line grades with a note that the Ravens do not have much of a pass rush. PFF grades do not account for strength of competition, so it’s not surprising to see three linemen crack the top five.

With that said, it’s time to have a difficult conversation. Rob Havestein is one of the worst tackles in the NFL this season by nearly any measure. Warren McClendon has filled in for two games and performed better than Haventein has at any point this year. The Rams must ask themselves in McClendon should be the starter moving forward, which does make sense for the future since he’s on a cost-controlled rookie deal and Havenstein is slated to become a free agent this offseason.

McClendon graded better in run blocking than in pass protection at 82.3 and 60.2, respectively. He did not allow a single pressure on Matthew Stafford.

Kevin Dotson, RG: 74.4

Dotson allowed one pressure and earned an average pass blocking grade of 55.9. He made his mark in the run game and drew a grade of 76.3.

Alaric Jackson, LT: 73.7

One of the most underdiscussed Rams this season has been Alaric Jackson. He’s performing at the bar he set last year before the Rams rewarded him with a multi-year contract extension. He was near-elite in pass protection in this game at 85.6 and did not allow a single pressure. You have to give credit for not letting his play dip after cashing in on a big deal.

Wyatt Miller@wymill07
In Warren McClendon Jr.’s 2 games, he’s allowed just 2 pressures on 76 dropbacks, via @NextGenStats

His 2.6% pressure rate allowed is 5th-best in the NFL (min. 25 pass block snaps) & best among RTs.

If Havenstein doesn’t play Sunday, McClendon has shown he can fill that void.

KyTheRamsGuy@kytheramsguy
Warren McClendon @PFF grades so far this season:
Run Blocking: 82.4 (5th)
Pass Blocking: 58.2 (54th)
Overall: 70.0 (29th)

Rob Havenstein PFF grades so far this season:
Run Blocking: 58.1 (52nd)
Pass Blocking: 47.2 (67th)
Overall: 55.0 (58th)

PFF isn’t the Bible, but it’s a solid metric — especially for offensive linemen. At this point, should McVay and company just ride it out with McClendon?

Los Angeles Rams PR@TheLARamsPR
Coleman Shelton has only allowed one sack on 290 pass blocking snaps in 2025, according to TruMedia. He also ranks 7th in offensive grade (74.4) and 5th in run blocking grade (83.3) among all centers (min 50% snaps played), per
@PFF
.

Communication and clarity lead to offensive line success in both the run and pass game, even if it’s not always appreciated outside the Rams’ building

Wyatt Miller

https://www.therams.com/news/feature-communication-and-clarity-lead-to-offensive-line-success-in-both-the-run-and-pass-game-even-if-it-s-not-always-appreciated-outside-the-rams-building

A heel-click into a first-down signal might be what fans expect from a star wide receiver, but not a 332-pound blocker.

Yet, that’s what Rams offensive lineman Steve Avila did in Week 7 after the Rams got the Jaguars’ defense to jump across the line. Two weeks later, he hit the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Dragon Ball Z celebration when the Rams drew another neutral-zone infraction against the Saints.

Steve Avila's reaction to the offsides penalty is too funny 😂 pic.twitter.com/DMgc0rl7u4

— NFL (@NFL) October 19, 2025

“I always tell people, I’m like, ‘Dude, no one cares about offensive line,'” Avila said. “So anytime that I have the chance to do something, I’m going to do it. Like, I want to be able to show a little personality on the field, cause we don’t really get that many opportunities.”

While most observers don’t pay the Rams’ offensive line much attention, the players and coaches who rely on them to facilitate offensive success are grateful for the unit’s efficiency so far this season. They’ve quietly (or garishly in Avila’s case) been one of the best units in pass protection and run blocking through nine weeks through increased communication and clarity.

The Rams' offensive line has been efficient in both the run and pass game through 8 games: pic.twitter.com/KJWy8QFfrn

— Wyatt Miller (@wymill07) November 4, 2025

L.A. ranks sixth in pressure rate allowed (28.3%) and seventh in sack rate allowed (7th), according to Next Gen Stats, giving quarterback Matthew Stafford more than enough time to make plays. He’s rewarded that effort with an MVP-caliber season thus far.

“I can’t do any of that stuff if I’m not standing upright,” Stafford said. “So our guys up front are doing a hell of a job.”

There’s been a notion among fans and some analysts, due in-part to the Rams’ poor PFF pass blocking grade, that the line hasn’t performed well in pass protection, even though they rank well statistically. People inside the organization would disagree.

“The one thing that I think is really sticking through is giving (Stafford) an extra click, just fighting, grinding, scratching and clawing to make sure they keep the defense off of him,” said offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur.

On in-structure plays, where the quarterback doesn’t scramble around behind the line, the Rams also rank sixth in pressure rate allowed (25.8%), fifth in sack rate allowed (3.9%), and their 2.65 average seconds to throw is the 14th-slowest in the league, according to Next Gen Stats. That means Stafford is far from rushing through progressions, but actually getting more time than the average passer to scan the field and deliver strikes.

The continuity within that unit, having brought back four starters and signed another former starter (Coleman Shelton) in free agency, has certainly helped them play cohesively. Kevin Dotson said the addition of Shelton has been valuable because of his attention to detail. He has the offensive line in constant lockstep.

Their understanding of the offense means they know the timing of each play, and that “if they can give ‘nine’ just one extra click, usually good things will happen,” LaFleur said. And if there are questions about specific roles or feedback that a player has, such as wanting a double team, the coaches have been more than willing to listen and implement changes, something Dotson said he’s benefitted from.

“We understand timing pretty well and I think that’s the thing that helps us keep the pocket clean,” Dotson said. “… It has (improved this year) and I think that play-calling has been really good, too. So those things work together, coaching and players taking advantage of what we know the play to be.”

The reality is, a veteran quarterback like Stafford doesn’t need all the time in the world, he needs as much time as the play requires, and the big men up front have provided that consistently.

In the run game, Pro Football Focus ranks the Rams as the No. 1 run blocking team in the NFL with an 85.5 grade, more than seven points higher than the next-closest unit. On designed runs (not including quarterback sneaks), L.A. ranks first in rushing success rate (48.7%) and has the fourth-lowest stuff rate (14.2%), which consist of carries that total zero or fewer yards, according to Next Gen Stats.

The Rams’ nine negative rushing plays are the fewest in the league, according to nflverse data, and the offensive line has played a major role in that. Running back Kyren Williams said the rushing operation, from the blockers to the running backs, “definitely” feels more connected than it did last season.

“There’s a lot of clarity going into the run game and we’re just kind of living off what we know how to do best,” Williams said. “We’re running those runs to perfection and there’s a lot of strain up front from the guys that has really allowed us to be able to get positive yards running the ball.”

Similar to the passing game, Williams said the coaching staff’s willingness to hear and implement feedback has led to more precise execution, rather than guys just guessing what they need to do on certain plays. He described Shelton as “the glue of this offense,” apart from Stafford, with his command and communication of calls they need to get into or out of at the line of scrimmage.

“I think they got a good connection right now amongst the five,” LaFleur said. “Even though we’ve had some (injuries)… like everyone, you’re always going to have some, you have to adjust and guys that are in there one week and not the other.”

The Week 1 starters, Alaric Jackson, Avila, Shelton, Dotson and Rob Havenstein, have only played two games together, but L.A. has still enjoyed sustained success. Because some of the rotational pieces are players that got run with the team last season, Stafford said that experience has carried over. However, they are set to have all five starters again this week against the division rival 49ers.

San Francisco has been decimated by injuries up front, specifically on the edges with Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams both out for the year. In Week 5, L.A. allowed just a 20.8% pressure rate against San Francisco, their second-lowest of the season. They will look to continue that success on Sunday in Santa Clara, even if they don’t get the same recognition from fans for their contributions.

Avila didn’t plan his jubilant celebration against the Jaguars in London, that was just “pure instinct,” he said. And if they get San Francisco to jump on Sunday, expect to see more genuine joy from him, because if they aren’t going to be praised for their play, they’ll at least get a shout when they bust a move.

“That just falls in line with having fun on the field,” Avila said. “We’re on a stage where people are watching us all over the world. So I want to do something, have fun while I’m out there playing.”

Los Angeles Rams PR@TheLARamsPR
According to @PFF, Steve Avila ranks 5th in offensive grade (79.6) and 8th in run blocking grade (80.0) among all NFL guards in 2025.

Avila’s Week 10 performance vs. SF (67 snaps, 37 PBLK):
🔵0 pressures allowed
🔵0 hurries allowed
🔵0 quarterback hits allowed
🔵0 sacks allowed

Pass protection as measured by two independent sources pic.twitter.com/8nM5uktXPk

— Computer Cowboy (@benbbaldwin) November 25, 2025

Los Angeles Rams PR@TheLARamsPR
Leading up to Week 13, Warren McClendon Jr. ranked 6th in run blocking grade (82.2) among all offensive tackles in the NFL this season (min 20% snaps played), according to @PFF
.

Los Angeles Rams PR@TheLARamsPR
Rams Offensive Line through 12 Games, according to TruMedia:
– 1st in Penalties per/G (4.33)
– 2nd in Sacks Allowed (12)
– T-3rd in Hurries Allowed (90)
– 4th in Pressures Allowed (132)

from Nate Atkins: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6860028/2025/12/05/rams-mailbag-no-1-seed-nfc-super-bowl/?source=emp_shared_article

McClendon’s growth has been a bright spot this season. The Rams saw trouble early in the season when offensive-line injuries disrupted their short-yardage plans and passing-game rhythm. Losing a cornerstone tackle like Rob Havenstein to injured reserve was a cause for some concern. But, to McClendon’s credit, he has answered the call.

The 2023 fifth-round pick has now made five starts at right tackle, and the best thing you can say about him is he’s been hard to notice. He has yet to be charged with a single sack on 177 pass-blocking snaps, according to Sports Info Solution, and his blown block rate across 276 total plays is 1.4 percent. For context, Lions first-team All-Pro right tackle Penei Sewell has a blown block rate of 1.5 percent on a little more than double the volume.

McClendon has settled in nicely at right tackle after spending his first two years trying to learn both sides of the line as a swing tackle. It’s worked in tandem with a steady Alaric Jackson to protect the edges for Stafford, and his ability to string consecutive starts together has also paid off on the Rams’ zone blocking runs. They just had their best rushing performance of the season in Carolina with 152 yards on 7.2 yards per carry.

It could get tricky when Havenstein comes back, because this isn’t just any starter on this team. He’s one of the leaders of the offensive line and the most tenured member of the franchise. He has 13 career playoff starts, which shouldn’t be overlooked when talking about a move to a young and inexperienced player. And though his performance has not been at the level of McClendon’s this season, it’s worth noting that he dealt with the ankle injury that sent him to injured reserve in almost every game. Projecting how the two will measure up when that ankle is healed is more of a challenge.

Given the Rams’ need to answer this spot for the future with Havenstein turning 34 next spring, plus the high cost of tackles in the draft, it would be ideal in some ways to let McClendon take the reins. It just won’t be that simple if Havenstein can get healthy, given the interpersonal dynamics.

Consider the next couple of games an ongoing audition for the permanent role.

from PFF, NFL offensive line rankings ahead of Week 15: https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-offensive-line-rankings-week-15-2025?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=dhtwitter&utm_content=null

Ranked #2. Los Angeles Rams
Projected Week 15 starters:

LT Alaric Jackson
LG Steve Avila
C Coleman Shelton
RG Kevin Dotson
RT Warren McClendon Jr.

The Rams’ offensive line turned in an excellent Week 14 outing in a win over the Arizona Cardinals. On 31 passing plays, the unit allowed just two pressures, with no sacks and two quarterback hits. The group’s 96.8 PFF pass-blocking efficiency rating ranked first in the league in Week 14.

Left tackle Alaric Jackson was dominant in the running game, with the Iowa product earning a league-high 94.5 PFF run-blocking grade against the Cardinals.

Best player: Kevin Dotson
Dotson’s 84.8 PFF overall grade this season ranks fourth among all guards.

Warren McClendon Jr. has quietly been one of the best offensive tackles in pass protection this season.

Among OTs with 200+ snaps, he's allowed the lowest pressure rate (1.9%) and is tied for the lowest sack rate allowed (0%). pic.twitter.com/rPiAx6os59

— Wyatt Miller (@wymill07) December 10, 2025

Run block and pass protection composite ratings pic.twitter.com/D8sN7zkNby

— Computer Cowboy (@benbbaldwin) December 10, 2025

Los Angeles Rams PR@TheLARamsPR
Coleman Shelton has not allowed a sack, pressure, hurry or quarterback hit in his last two games. He’s allowed only 1 sack all season (TruMedia).

He also ranks 7th in offensive grade (76.4) and 4th in run blocking grade (83.8) among Centers (min 50% snaps played), per @PFF.