Do Rams Have NFL’s Worst Offensive Line?

According to a new countdown, the Los Angeles Rams have one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL.

The Los Angeles Rams used the first of 14 draft picks in the 2023 NFL Draft on left guard Steve Avila, with general manager Les Snead and coach Sean McVay taking the TCU product with the 36th overall pick. 

But while the addition of Avila should help to bolster the offensive line in Los Angeles, it still hasn't changed the perception that the Rams have one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL. In fact, Sharp Football Analysis recently ranked the Rams' offensive line 31st in the NFL, an ominous sign as quarterback Matthew Stafford tries to stay on the field in his age-35 season. 

"The Rams’ failure to upgrade at left tackle was one of the shocking non-moves of the offseason. Joe Notebloom allowed a 10 percent pressure rate last year, ranking 34th out of 35 qualified left tackles," Ryan McCrystal of Sharp Football Analysis wrote. "On the other side, Rob Havenstein ranked 28th out of 36 right tackles and also returns. Good luck keeping Stafford healthy." 

Two-time All-Pro left tackle Andrew Whitworth retired after the Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI. A failure to replace Whitworth is especially troubling given that Stafford was never particularly mobile, and figures to rely even more on playing in the pocket as he ages. However, two stints in concussion protocol limited Stafford to just nine games last season, and not having a solution to protect his blindside makes you wonder how realistic it is for the veteran quarterback to play a full season in 2023. 

The good news for the Rams is that they are scheduled to have a first-round pick in 2024, which would mark the first time since 2016 that they made a selection in the top round of the NFL Draft. That pick could potentially be used to take an offensive lineman. 

Then again, the Rams have almost no proven talent at linebacker or in their secondary, and given that future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald has flirted with retirement the past two offseasons, there's no guarantee he'll be with the team beyond 2023. And if Los Angeles is bad enough, taking a quarterback in the first round might become a consideration. 

It wasn't that long ago that "F them picks!" became a rallying cry for Rams fans. But never picking in the first round -- among other rounds -- has caught up the Rams, and that's perhaps most evident when looking at their offensive line. 

You can follow Tim Kelly @TimKellySports on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

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