the 2017 OL controversy

Rams have their reasons for not drafting offensive linemen

Alden Gonzalez

http://www.espn.com/blog/los-angeles-rams/post/_/id/33711/rams-have-their-reasons-for-not-drafting-offensive-linemen

The Los Angeles Rams fielded what was widely considered one of the NFL’s worst offensive lines this past season, but did not select a single offensive lineman in this year’s draft.

What gives?

It makes a lot more sense once you dive deeper.

First, consider their free-agent signings. They splurged on a left tackle, as they should, signing Andrew Whitworth to a three-year contract that guaranteed him $15 million. They released center Tim Barnes, but replaced him with John Sullivan, a six-year fixture on the Vikings’ offensive line until back issues crept up in 2015. Whitworth, however, is 35, his window closing. Sullivan, 31, came over on only a one-year contract. And the Rams still don’t have a young, long-term solution at left tackle or center.

But this didn’t seem like the draft to get one.

It was deep at several different positions, but offensive linemen certainly was not one of them. For the first time in the common draft era, which dates back to 1967, no offensive linemen were taken within the top 15. Only two were taken in the entire first round. And only one, Garett Bolles at 20th overall to the Broncos, went within the top 31. The draft was especially devoid of left tackles. It had some intriguing centers for the middle and late rounds, but the Rams instead signed a couple of undrafted free agents — Jake Eldrenkamp out of Washington and Anthony McMeans out of New Mexico State — who will work out at center for them.

Last year’s Rams offensive line was rated 27th by Pro Football Focus. Behind it, Jared Goff absorbed 25 sacks over his last six games and Todd Gurley averaged the second-fewest yards before first contact. But there’s a key reason the Rams didn’t address it in the draft, outside the lack of talent available and the free agents they signed: new offensive line coach Aaron Kromer wants to mold the linemen he inherits.

“There are a lot of guys in our group that he wanted to work with and felt like they may be better than some of the rookies in this draft class,” Rams general manager Les Snead told reporters from the team facility on Saturday night.

“We really wanted a close look. ‘Do we need offensive linemen or do we not?’ Because if you go back, we had the ‘16 season and we had the ‘15 season. The ‘15 season, we’re probably a top-five rush team, we’re a top-five sacks-per-play-allowed team. Then, you go to ‘16 and we’re basically bottom 30 in both of those categories with probably the same starting lineup. So at some point, between ‘15 and ‘16, you’re on opposite ends of the spectrum. But these guys were young, got experience, and we felt like there was some upside there.”

One of the most appealing aspects of this job for Kromer was his ability to develop. He talked about it shortly after being hired, saying: “I’m excited about this group, and the reason is the youth. When you look at it, there’s not many offensive lines in the league that have second- and third-year players across the board.”

It’s a result of the Rams drafting seven offensive linemen from 2014 to ’15, six of whom remain on the roster.

Greg Robinson, the No. 2 overall pick in 2014 who will not have his fifth-year option exercised, will transition from left tackle to right tackle. Rob Havenstein, a second-round pick in 2015, is moving from right tackle to right guard. Jamon Brown, Andrew Donnal and Cody Wichmann, all headed into their third year, will get reps at different positions in hopes of finding their best fits. Aside from Whitworth and left guard Rodger Saffold, the Rams’ best lineman last season, starting spots are up for grabs.

“We feel good,” first-year Rams head coach Sean McVay said of his offensive linemen. “I think coming out of that minicamp really enabled us to have a better feel for our depth up front.”

BonifayRam wrote:

Jamon Brown is a compact large thick OL’er @ 6-4/325 pounds. JB has long arms (34 1/2) that he used effectively when he played OT in College. My big hope is he can ascend to match Saffold level play @ left OG. I maintain that JB should be a very good LG in the NFL. In my mind JB can play center without any problems. JB has shown he can play all four OL positions & there is NO reason he could not make it five.

Cody Wichmann is the bigger of these 3 OL’er in this center discussion. CW can get much thicker & stronger of all the 2015 class. It would not surprise me if CW’s over 6-5 frame is close to 330 pounds of good muscle when we see him in camp. CW also should be a serious solid candidate for starting center too. CW is a true phone booth dominator but has negative issues playing when hurt. But high ankle sprains will degrade most players & he had had back to back seasons with this issue. CW has proven he can be versatile in playing left or right. CW played OT in college too.

Andrew Donnal is a leaner type body frame of the three over 6-6 approx 316 pounder but gets lower & bends much better than JB & CW. AD was the most advanced technically sound of the four of the 2015 draft selections when the 2016 season concluded. AD was able to process through the offense better than any other OL’er & continued to improve even though he had a badly injured hip that required surgery in January. AD does not generate the power of the other 2 but is building a nice good size bag of tricks & uses his brain more than his brawn. AD is the most versatile of the 3 having played 4 of the 5 positions in NFL games. I bet AK wants to add to AD bag of tricks real bad.

There’s a reason that Snead did not utilize any of his valuable 2017 draft picks on the troubled OL. The above three are entering their 3rd seasons & have seen a ton of action in starts amongst them so they know what needs to be done to be effective wherever they end up playing.