Alaric Jackson injury shows Rams mishandled offensive line in offseason

The Rams are already dealing with uncertainty on the offensive line with Alaric Jackson injury

Heading into the offseason, the Los Angeles Rams had a need on the offensive line, specifically at tackle. Rob Havenstein was getting older and on the final year of his contract. He also hadn’t played a full season without injury since 2022. While they re-signed Alaric Jackson to a three-year contract worth $57.75 million, the former undrafted free agent also hadn’t finished a season without injury or missing games in his career.

Now, in the final week of organized team activities and before the team holds mandatory mini-camp in Hawai’i, Jackson has been diagnosed with blood clots. It’s a similar health issue that Jackson dealt with in 2022.

This isn’t to say that the Rams made the wrong decision bringing back Jackson. In the midst of a Super Bowl window, it makes sense that the Rams would want the familiar player at the left tackle position. The contract is also very flexible as the Rams have an out in the deal after 2026.

That part of the equation can be true.

At the same time, given Havenstein’s age and the fact Jackson hasn’t ever played a full season, it’s worth wondering whether the Rams should have done more at the tackle position this offseason.

The Rams have signed DJ Humphries and David Quessenberry as experienced depth options. Still, Humphries isn’t the pro bowl player that he was in 2021. He played 92 snaps for the Kansas City Chiefs last season, allowing 11 pressures in two games. In his final season with the Arizona Cardinals, Humphries was the 44th rated tackle via Pro Football Focus. Meanwhile, David Quessenberry is the same player that the Rams took advantage of in both games against the Minnesota Vikings last season.

Humphries is a good depth signing at this stage of the offseason, but it’s worth noting that Cornelius Lucas signed a two-year, $6.5 million contract in the offseason as a depth tackle. Lucas was one of the best depth tackles in the NFL in 2024. Andre Dillard has shown the ability to spot-start in his career and signed a one-year deal worth $1.2 million with the San Francisco 49ers.

Heading into the draft, some thought the Rams may still go offensive line early even after signing Jackson. A lot of that was due to the uncertain future of Havenstein. Even if they didn’t go offensive line early, it made sense to get a developmental option late despite it being a weaker offensive tackle class.

It’s understandable that head coach Sean McVay wanted to add a receiving tight end to the offense. It’s also worth noting that the Rams drafted a receiving tight end in Davis Allen in the fifth-round in 2023. At 26th overall, both Josh Simmons and Josh Conerly were available.

Had Simmons been healthy throughout the draft process, he likely would have been considered the top tackle in the draft class.

Throughout the entire draft process, Oregon’s Josh Conerly was consistently mocked to the Rams. Conerly had impressed at the Senior Bowl and Combine in addition to putting out impressive tape last season at Oregon. Aireontae Ersery went two picks after the Rams took Ferguson at 46 and Ozzy Trapillo went at 58.

However, neither player seemed to be in consideration for the Rams. While acquiring the additional first-round pick was important, the Rams nearly selected Terrance Ferguson at 26. Said The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue,

Ferguson was such a popular match with the Rams (including as a top choice on some scouts’ and coaches’ ‘Make Him a Ram’ survey) that they even discussed whether they should take him at No. 26

Later in the draft on day three, the Rams had opportunities to take Cameron Williams, Chase Lundt, Jalen Travis, or Marcus Mbow. Prior to the draft, the Rams had six selections on day three. By the end of it, due to trading up, they finished with four. Travis was taken by the Indianapolis Colts with the Rams pick at 127. Lundt, Travis, and Mbow were all day two caliber players. In the cases of Lundt and Mbow, neither player was drafted until pick 154 and pick 206.

Hindsight is 20/20, but again, the Rams came into the offseason with a need on the offensive line. That player didn’t necessarily need to be a starter, but this was a team that lacked tackle depth.

This part of the offseason is important for the Rams offensive line. Last offseason, the offensive line was never able to find consistency and cohesion due to injuries. Jonah Jackson didn’t participate in OTAs and then missed the entirety of training camp. Steve Avila took snaps at center all offseason before moving back to left guard.

While there is optimism that Jackson will play in 2025, a specific timeline is unclear. Last season, Christian Barmore was diagnosed with blood clots on July 28. Barmore wasn’t activated until November 16 and then was placed on injured reserve again on December 19 with recurring symptoms. The main point, however, is that the Rams are right back where they were at the start of last offseason.

A major reason for the slow starts over the last two years has been because of injuries to the offensive line. The Rams didn’t have their full starting five until late in the year last season. In 2023, Joe Noteboom was in and out of the lineup with injury and it wasn’t until Kevin Dotson took over, the Rams had some stability.

Heading into the 2025 season, the Rams have Super Bowl expectations. With that said, for the Rams to hit their potential, the offensive line being healthy is imperative to that. Jackson dealing with blood clots and missing time during a period of building cohesiveness is a huge setback.

Offensive tackle was a position of need for the Rams this offseason, even if it was just depth or someone that could be developed into a starter. Now, as the football calendar hits June and teams start to take the field, it may be too little too late.