They have to move on from some guys- some being obvious like Evans and Kolone, etc. I think realistically with Allen they cannot count on him. Too many things are piling up with him physically to believe he can ever start 17 games again. Probably the same with Noteboom.
But they also cannot think they will go out and find 3 new starters for 2023. They do have to get something from guys they have that were hurt this year wile also infusing some new talent.
To me Jackson was their best, most consistent OL of 2022. So yeah, they need to get him back and have him start.
Bruss and Anchrum should be expected to compete but certainly not handed anything. Maybe one wins the RG spot. Maybe both are gameday backups like they were supposed to be this year. But I think they do have to expect both to be among their top 8 OL on the roster.
They absolutely need to find a plug-and-play free agent OL. No question. Is that a LG? Center? Left tackle? Hard to say. Depends on where they think Jackson is best suited and also just who shakes loose in free agency since the Rams will want to go after someone released elsewhere. So that's a very fluid situation/market. A good thing is that Jackson and others can play multiple positions so they can adapt based on free agent availability.
Same with the Draft. They absolutely need to draft an OL with one of their top 2 selections. But does it have to be a center? Guard? Tackle? Could be any.
I think something like this could play out well for them:
LT- Jackson
LG- FA signing
C- Shelton
RG- Bruss/Anchrum/Brewer open competition
RT- Havenstein
Depth: Day 2 draft pick, whichever two don't win the RG spot, Arcuri as a swing backup OT,
And hypothetically if they drafted a center in the 2nd round that then becomes an open competition with Shelton and maybe he ends up the top interior backup- a role he's well-suited for.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/20/2022 05:59AM by LMU93.
