What the selection of Bobby Evans means for Joseph NoteboomWith their fourth and final pick on Day 2, the Los Angeles Rams drafted Oklahoma offensive lineman Bobby Evans. Many Rams fans were clamoring online for some offensive line help, and they got their wish with the 97th overall pick.
The drafting of Evans could have a particularly big impact on last year’s third-round pick, Joseph Noteboom. When Noteboom was drafted out of TCU last year, it was believed he could be the successor to Andrew Whitworth at left tackle. Noteboom showed well in the preseason, and the coaching staff is still high on him.
But Whitworth decided to return for at least one more year, and Noteboom’s services are needed elsewhere at the moment. With Rodger Saffold departing in free agency, Noteboom is widely expected to kick inside and start at guard this year.
Last month, the Rams insisted they still were hoping Noteboom would take over for Whitworth one day. But the drafting of Evans makes that less likely, and suggests the Rams are expecting Noteboom to stay at guard for the foreseeable future.
Evans played tackle his entire time at Oklahoma, and there wouldn’t be much of a reason to invest a third-round pick in him if they still thought Noteboom would be their future left tackle. Rob Havenstein is locked in at right tackle, so there will only be one open spot when Whitworth eventually decides to retire.
Evans started at right tackle as a freshman and sophomore for the Sooners, then switched over to the left side for his junior season. He started all 14 games last season, and was a second-team All-Big 12 selection.
Whitworth will turn 38 this season, and the Rams can’t count on him too much longer. If they weren’t going to count on Noteboom to take over they were going to need to make a move, and it looks like they made that move tonight.
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theramswire.usatoday.com]
