Can the Rams trust Joe Noteboom at right tackle if Rob Havenstein can’t play?
Just when the Los Angeles Rams were starting to build some cohesiveness along the offensive line, another injury hits. Over the past four games, the Rams have finally had a consistent starting five after Rob Havenstein returned from injury. However, Havenstein’s status will be in question on Saturday as he injured his shoulder during practice this week. If Havenstein is unable to go on Saturday, Joe Noteboom will get the start.
Rams head coach Sean McVay said on Thursday,
“I think Joe [Noteboom] would be the guy that’d be ready to go. Warren [McClendon] has done a lot of really good stuff this year, but Joe’s played in a lot of games for us, a lot of big-time games and has done a great job of being able to play on either side. It’s a good option. It’s a good problem to be able to have, but Joe would be the guy.”
The thought of Noteboom starting a game for the Rams at this point with the games as important as they are is a scary thought. At one point in his career, Noteboom was a quality spot starter. With that said, due to the injuries that he’s suffered, it’s been a while since he’s shown that level. If Havenstein is unable to suit up, the Rams will turn to Noteboom, a player who has stepped up in critical moments before but has struggled to replicate that form in recent years.
Noteboom has started two games this season in Week 1 and Week 10. In those games, the Rams swing tackle has given up nine pressures and two sacks while the Rams are 0-2. Noteboom played at right tackle back in Week 10 and gave up six pressures on his own. No other offensive lineman gave up more than three.
Unfortunately, Noteboom has become a difficult player to rely on both on the field and off the field. Noteboom has always been injury prone since he was first asked to be a starter going into 2019. However, when he filled in, he was mostly a stable presence. A prime example of that was in 2021 when Noteboom filled in for Andrew Whitworth during the playoff run. That stretch of games gave the Rams confidence to give him a new contract.
That was the last time Noteboom really played well. When he returned from injury following the 2022 season, he simply has not been the same player. Among offensive linemen with at least 200 snaps in Weeks 1-4 of the 2023 season, Noteboom was the fourth worst tackle or guard via PFF while allowing 13 pressures. Three of those starts came at right guard. Noteboom played two games at right tackle in Weeks 8-9 and had the worst run-blocking grade over those two weeks.
It’s true that Noteboom has played in some big games for the Rams. However, he is no longer the player that succeeded in those moments. Noteboom continues to be a player that the Rams can’t admit a mistake on and it has delayed their process of finding a future left tackle. Now, it’s delaying their process in getting Warren McClendon much-needed game reps as the Rams need to decide whether or not he has a future at right tackle. While McClendon may not offer more than Noteboom, he at least has more upside. The Rams drafted McClendon in the fifth-round last year.
We’re at a point in the season where the games are vitally important. If the Rams win, they could clinch a playoff spot as early as this week. The Cardinals may not have a player as talented as Chop Robinson or a daunting pass rush. They currently rank 30th in pass rush win rate. It’s possible that the Rams can get away with Noteboom at right tackle this week. However, it’s still quite the risk given what Noteboom has shown when he’s been on the field much of the last two years. Again, Noteboom has been a liability more than a quality sixth-man that the Rams have expected him to be.
Hopefully Havenstein is able to play on Saturday against the Cardinals. Havenstein already missed time earlier this season with an ankle injury. The Rams run game has been crucial to their recent success and Havenstein is the fifth-highest graded tackle in run blocking via PFF over the past four weeks. He’s also the 14th-highest graded tackle overall.
To put it simply, Havenstein’s presence has been a cornerstone of the Rams’ offensive line, particularly during their recent stretch of success. With his status now uncertain due to a shoulder injury, the Rams will have to prepare for a potential shift on the right side of their line. Havenstein’s presence is especially felt on the right side in the run game. He’s consistently been a ‘set it and forget it’ player. Havenstein and Kevin Dotson are one of the better tackle-guard combos in the NFL.
We’ll have to wait to see if Havenstein is able to go, but if the Rams have to resort to Noteboom, there will be a lot of uneasiness at right tackle heading into the game against the Cardinals.
