Article .How can the Rams fix the offensive line in 2023?

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Left Tackle
When it comes to the left tackle position this offseason, the Rams have a lot to figure out and will need to figure it out quickly. However, that’s easier said than done. Orlando Pace left the Rams in 2008 for the Chicago Bears. Between 2009 and 2017, the Rams had failed experiments with Alex Barron, Jason Smith, Rodger Saffold, Jake Long, and Greg Robinson at the left tackle position. It was a revolving door to say the least.

For the first time in nearly a decade, Andrew Whitworth finally brought stability to that position and the results were immediate. It’s not easy, but the Rams need to find that once again.

To say the least, Joe Noteboom was not the heir apparent to Whitworth that they wanted him to be. While he filled in well in spots as depth in 2020 and 2021, notably the NFC Divisional Round playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Noteboom has been an injury-prone player throughout his career.


In 2019 as the the day one starter at left guard, Noteboom tore his ACL in Week 6, ending his season. As the day one starter at left tackle this season, he tore his achilles in Week 6, once again ending his season. The Rams can’t go into 2023 with Noteboom as the starting left tackle and they’re paying him too much to be a depth piece. Noteboom has been a five-year project that they need to move on from.

Thankfully, the Rams didn’t lock themselves into a deal with Noteboom. Yes, he’s signed to a contract through 2024, but it is very team-friendly. Outright cutting Noteboom pre-June 1, isn’t an option. The team would eat $13M in dead money while only saving $2.5M according to OverTheCap.

However, if they find a trade partner, that would be a best case scenario and teams might bite. It’s not often that a player with tackle and guard starting experience becomes available. If the Rams were to trade Noteboom pre-June 1, they would eat $8M in dead money while saving $7.5M. That would bring their current 2023 cap space to $13M.

If the Rams can’t find a trade partner, they could cut Noteboom post-June 1 and save $8.5M while eating just $7M in dead money. It’s worth noting that trading Noteboom post-June 1 saves $13.5M with only a $2M cap-hit.

That’s a lot of numbers, but simply put, if the Rams trade Noteboom before June 1, they save $7.5M. Noteboom gives the Rams depth at tackle and guard, but on his current contract, it might be best for both sides to move on. Noteboom’s extension is one of a few mistakes that the Rams need to admit this offseason.

Parting ways with Noteboom would leave the Rams with Alaric Jackson at left tackle. Jackson was the team’s highest-graded player in pass-blocking this season according to Pro Football Focus, giving up 13 pressures with 155 snaps at left tackle. However, he was diagnosed with blood clots and put on injured reserve this season. Going into the season with Jackson as the starting left tackle would be another risk.

Jackson has played well, but even if he is the day-one starter next year, the Rams need insurance. With Jackson’s experience at guard, they may prefer him inside or as depth anyway. This leaves free agency and the draft.

The free agent pool at left tackle is very thin. Orlando Brown at 26-years of age is currently projected as a free agent at left tackle this offseason. However, the Chiefs have $28M in cap-space and there is very little chance that they allow Brown to leave. This was a primary reason why they traded away Tyreek Hill last offseason.

Andre Dillard and Isaiah Wynn will both be free agents. Dillard has been a depth piece with the Philadelphia Eagles and Wynn has an injury history and been inconsistent with the New England Patriots.

However, the one player that makes the most sense is Elgton Jenkins. While the Rams are in bad shape from a cap standpoint, the Green Bay Packers have just over $3M in cap space going into 2023 and not a ton of wiggle room. They can restructure some contracts, but this locks them into aging players.

If the Rams can save money by trading Noteboom and then restructure some contracts to open up some money, they might be able to bring in Jenkins and pay him as a left tackle. This is something that the Packers wouldn’t be able to do with David Bakhtiari.

For example, restructuring Cooper Kupp and Jalen Ramsey would open up close to $28M according to Spotrac. It's still a long shot, but it might be the only option in free agency. This leaves the draft and potentially starting a rookie at left tackle next season.

At the top of the second round, Matthew Bergeron from Syracuse would be an option there. However, outside of Paris Johnson Jr. from Ohio State, this isn’t an elite or deep class at tackle. Darnell Wright from Tennessee has played well as primarily a right tackle, although he did play at left tackle as a junior.

This is what makes left tackle so complicated. The Rams invested poorly last season in Noteboom. There isn’t necessarily an Andrew Whitworth in free agency this year and it’s debatable if there’s a starting-caliber left tackle at the top of the second round. Options are limited.

The best option might be to draft someone like Darnell Wright if he doesn’t return to school or Matthew Bergeron and have them compete with Alaric Jackson at left tackle in training camp. Tremayne Anchrum will also return as depth next season. It doesn’t exude confidence heading into Week 1 of 2023, but it might be the only option.

The Rams backed themselves into a corner here. They made their bed and now they have to lay in it.