Rams agree to terms with G Jonah Jackson, continue to bolster and adjust O-line

Jourdan Rodrigue

https://theathletic.com/5333392/2024/03/11/jonah-jackson-rams-free-agency/?source=emp_shared_article

The Rams and Pro Bowl guard Jonah Jackson have agreed to a three-year deal worth up to $51 million, with $34 million guaranteed, two league sources said Monday.

The deal cannot be official until the start of the new league year on March 13.

Agreeing to terms with Jackson comes just days after the Rams extended right guard Kevin Dotson on a three-year, $48 million deal with $32 million guaranteed.

Beefing up both guard positions will likely mean a move for second-year offensive lineman Steve Avila, who started every game at left guard in 2023, to center. Avila played center for two seasons at TCU, and when he was drafted there was internal chatter about one day moving him to center. The Rams would have also been open to working out a deal with previous starting center Coleman Shelton, who voided the final year in his contract. Shelton had a market, and Jackson’s availability plus a natural possible switch inside for Avila was too enticing to pass up or delay on.

Jackson (6-4, 311) also has played a little center, and the Rams could try that out — but as of now, team sources have strongly indicated Avila will move.

How he fits: The Rams openly stated after a disastrous 2022 season that they needed to re-invest in their offensive line. Head coach Sean McVay changed his run scheme to emphasize more gap and power concepts, with his trademark mid and outside zone mixed in. That also meant getting bigger on the inside with Dotson (acquired via trade with Pittsburgh in the summer of 2023) and drafting Avila at pick No. 36.

2024 impact: Avila will probably move inside. A source briefed on the matter said the Rams also expect to tender left tackle Alaric Jackson, though have not yet determined the tender amount (and were waiting for other free-agency pieces to fall into place).

Of Jackson, The Athletic’s Colton Pouncy wrote: “A Pro Bowler in 2021, Jackson, 27, has been a mainstay at left guard on one of the best offensive lines in football. He’s mobile in space, powerful at the line of scrimmage and a remarkably consistent lineman when healthy — and he’s young.”

History: Rams fans will be very, very familiar with Jackson’s body of work because he played for familiar opponent Detroit. McVay has spoken highly of coordinator Ben Johnson’s run game and Jackson’s size and strength translates over well to the Rams’ current scheme.

Cap update: The Rams also agreed to a three-year deal with tight end Colby Parkinson, worth up to $22.5 million, his agency (Wasserman) confirmed.

I’ll note, despite questions this may not actually affect the injured Tyler Higbee in 2024, though could afterward. Higbee signed a two-year, $17 million extension last September and the Rams would incur $11 million in dead money if he were released. After 2024 that sum becomes more manageable, and the Rams do expect Higbee to return from ACL and MCL repair in-season.

Pending the full outline and cap numbers for 2024, the Rams have somewhere between $6 million and $10 million to work with at this point, with more money on the way pending a Joe Noteboom restructure or release.

Outlook: The Rams won an unexpected 10 games last season behind an offensive line that dramatically improved from 2022, a healthy Matthew Stafford at quarterback and a revitalized, physical run game. That seems to be the formula this group is sticking with in 2024.

nittany ram wrote:

Man, that interior of the Rams oline is going to bully people. Hill, Smith, Harrah part deux.

Except maybe better since the 2024 guys are a combo of movement and sheer size/power. You could say that of Harrah in the past but not really Hill and Smith, who didn’t have that kind of raw power (and the way they played, they didn’t need to either…but still…). Rams have never had a line like this. Plus Dotson is flat nasty (I don’t know about Jackson).

If you look at what’s happening in FA in the NFC west, the 9ers and Seattle are both spending money on their DLs. So this looks strategic too. Run it on them relentlessly and give Stafford time to eat a sandwich back there.

InvaderRam wrote:

have the rams tendered alaric jackson? last i heard they were still deciding.

The question is not will they, it’s what level of tender. Rodrigue has been saying they will. The only question is, for how much and kind of pick if any will be the compensation if he’s signed elsewhere?

Seahawks free-agent TE Colby Parkinson intends to sign a three-year, $22.5 million deal including $15.5 million guaranteed with the Los Angeles Rams, per sources. Before playing at Stanford, Parkinson attended Oaks Christian School in Westlake Village, California, which is right… pic.twitter.com/Z7h0Hbw0CC

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2024

This would have strong implications of Steve Avila moving to center, where he played at a high level for a time at TCU. https://t.co/D74HvMCVRD

— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) March 11, 2024

The #Falcons are signing Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract that includes a $50M signing bonus, per sources.

Another monster payday for Cousins, who gets $100 guaranteed — $90M in 2024 and ‘25, plus another $10M in 2026 — and a fresh start in Atlanta at age 35. pic.twitter.com/NkFNMzSjF5

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 11, 2024

From @GMFB: Russell Wilson lands with the #Steelers, the #Vikings are still working on Kirk Cousins, and Baker Mayfield stays home. pic.twitter.com/wb3b1oREUb

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 11, 2024

.

Russell Wilson is headed to the #Steelers on a 1-year, $1.2M deal.

His stats in 2023:

• 15 games
• 66.4% completion rate
• 3,070 passing yards
• 6.9 yards per attempt, 204.7 yards per game
• 26 pass TDs – 8 INTs
• 98.0 passer rating
• 341 rushing yards, 3 TDs pic.twitter.com/P6Qj6WOL2L

— NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) March 11, 2024

Called it.

The reason they use rape for Israel’s propaganda to justify genocide is:

1) they tested multiple messages to western audiences, especially with liberals and women who were being affected by the footage of genocide in Gaza and were changing their positions.
2) they… https://t.co/u1BL5FsAfp

— Firas 🇵🇸 (@FirasPalestine) March 10, 2024

You think Booms situation will be resolved before the start of FA? [me: ie. Noteboom]

Jourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigue
Yes, because either it’s a restructure or a cut

Most tackles for loss since 2021:

Maxx Crosby – 58
Nick Bosa – 56
Myles Garrett – 52
Micah Parsons – 51
TJ Watt – 48
Brian Burns – 46
Aaron Donald – 45
Danielle Hunter – 41
Josh Allen – 40
Khalil Mack – 39

— NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) March 10, 2024

From https://www.lafbnetwork.com/grade-los-angeles-rams-kevin-dotson-signing/

Matt Miller, NFL analyst, is grading many of the free agency moves for ESPN. The Los Angeles Rams made their first big move in free agency when they re-signed Kevin Dotson to a Three-year, $48 million contract with $32 million guaranteed.

Miller largely praised the move, writing

Kevin Dotson Contract Grade: B
The Rams are back to building through the draft and smart free agent signings, like this one, after years of ring chasing by acquiring pricey veterans via trades and free agency. Dotson is the type of cornerstone linemen savvy teams acquire for cheap and re-sign at market value contracts. Instead of going after an [Michael] Onwenu-type player, the Rams stay in-house with an ascending veteran who proved his worth in 2023.