[
theramswire.usatoday.com] analysis of Rams drafting Steve Avila: LA prioritizes the O-line
Cameron DaSilva
April 28, 2023 5:16 pm PT
Only two teams gave up more sacks than the Los Angeles Rams last season. They gave up 59 in 17 games, failing to keep any of the quarterbacks they started upright.
On Friday night, the Rams began to address one of their biggest holes. With the 36th pick, they selected TCU guard/center Steve Avila, adding some depth and top-end talent to the offensive line.
It’s hard to believe, but this is the first time the Rams have taken an offensive lineman in the top 100 since 2019 when they took Bobby Evans 97th overall. They essentially ignored the O-line in 2021 and 2020, only selecting one offensive lineman – and that was with their final pick in 2020, taking Tremayne Anchrum Jr. 250th overall.
The Rams prioritized the offensive line in 2017 when Sean McVay arrived by signing John Sullivan and Andrew Whitworth, but they haven’t exactly used premium assets since then. The earliest they’ve drafted an offensive lineman was in 2018 when they selected Joe Noteboom at No. 89.
Granted, they haven’t had a lot of top-50 picks in the last seven years, but it hasn’t seemed to be a priority. It is now with this selection of Avila.
It’s not as if the Rams didn’t have any better options. There were plenty of talented players available, from B.J. Ojulari to Luke Musgrave to Julius Brents. Yet, the Rams still went with a big man in the middle by taking Avila.
It’s hard not to love this pick. Avila primarily played guard in college, but he has impressive position flexibility, playing center and right tackle at TCU, too. The Rams now have a ton of versatility along their offensive line; Coleman Shelton can play guard or center, Alaric Jackson can play guard or tackle and Tremayne Anchrum Jr. can play inside or out.
Even if Avila doesn’t start from Day 1, he’ll get a chance to contribute as a rookie at either center or guard. That’s especially true given Brian Allen’s injury history, as well as Logan Bruss’. They need depth at guard and center, but more importantly, they needed a powerful blocker on the interior, too.
He’ll make the offensive line better early on in his career.
