I agree. Saffold was a top tier OG. No question. While Noteboom and Allen played very limited reps this year I do consider them much further along than other OL in similar situations given the first team practice reps (like Blythe received in 2017). Also the simple fact the staff had enough confidence in them to be their top two reserves does say something. They could have wallowed in street clothes most of the year but did not.
If you also buy into the idea of players making their biggest developmental jumps between years 1 and 2 then some optimism there too. But man for man, yeah, they are likely downgrades. No denying that.
But.... to me high quality OLs are almost always greater than the sum of their parts and success is based on continuity. Hopefully the Rams have a 3rd straight year of such continuity.
And yes, here coaching REALLY matters. Not just in the fall but starting in OTAs and through camp. They know what these two kids excel at so far and what they do not. Kromer carries great importance getting them ready. McVay too. I am confident they will bring out their best, whatever that is.
But indeed the OL depth and longer term future does still need to be addressed. If the plan is for Noteboom to play next to Whitworth for a year to develop and then slide over to LT in 2020 then drafting another OG who can play a game day reserve role is essential. And I do believe a veteran swing backup is also important. There is just no way you go into a year with two starters AND the top two backups having zero regular starts.
