State of 2025 Rams offensive line: Will the bottom fall out?

The Los Angeles Rams have a positive outlook heading into the 2025 season. However, all of that could be moot if the offensive line becomes an issue as it has during portions of 2023 and 2024. Last season, the Rams had injuries at center and left guard while in 2023, it was injuries on the right side that limited the offense’s ceiling.

For the Rams offense to hit its potential in 2025, the offensive line has to do what it hasn’t been able to over the past two years. It was arguably the key to the Rams winning the Super Bowl in 2021. If the Rams are going to hit their ceiling, the offensive line needs to be a borderline top-10 unit and they have to stay healthy.

That’s something that has already become problematic as Alaric Jackson is out for an indefinite period as he manages blood clots after signing an extension in the offseason. As proven by last year’s musical chairs in training camp, this is a group that has to be able to build cohesion in the summer and that should pay dividends come September.

There are legitimate questions to be had about this version of the Rams offensive line and whether or not they managed it properly this offseason. Let’s take a look at how the Rams have built their offensive line.

The Starters

LT Alaric Jackson

As mentioned previously, Alaric Jackson will be out for an indefinite period after recurring blood clots. Jackson dealt with blood clots in 2022 and was forced to miss the second half of the season. While he is now managing them before Week 1 and the start of the year, it’s impossible to know how much time he will miss.

The best example may be to look at Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore last summer. Barmore was diagnosed with blood clots last July and wasn’t activated until November 16. Jackson’s diagnosis came a month earlier, but it’s also worth noting that Barmore went back on injured reserve with recurring symptoms on December 19.

There is a realistic possibility that Jackson simply doesn’t play this season. At the same time, he could be back in October or even sooner. Blood clots are serious which makes it difficult to narrow in on a specific timeline.

It’s fair to wonder whether or not the Rams made the correct decision to sign Jackson to a three-year, $57 million contract. At 26th overall, they could have drafted Josh Simmons from Ohio State. That’s also something that could have been done outside of Jackson’s injury. Still, as a team on the cusp, it made sense to bring back a familiar presence at left tackle. Jackson may not be a top-15 player at the position, but he is solid. Rarely will Jackson be the weak point on an offensive line.

Again, ideally Jackson is back for the start of the season or misses only the first 4-6 weeks. However, there is a realistic scenario in which the Rams are without their starting left tackle all season.

LG Steve Avila

We’ll likely never know whether or not Steve Avila’s transition to center didn’t go as planned or if he was moved back to left guard because of an injury to Jonah Jackson. Either way, Avila is back at left guard to start the summer where he played all of last year as well as his entire rookie season.

Heading into the year, Brandon Thorn of the Trench Warfare Substack ranked Avila as the ninth-best left guard in the NFL. Said Thorn,

“Avila is coming off of a 10-start season where he missed seven games due to an MCL injury. When on the field, he played at a similar level as his rookie year in 2023. At 6’4”, 340 pounds, Avila has the requisite power and play strength to impose his will on defenders, and his light feet elevate his floor into this tier as long as he’s healthy.”

The Rams need Avila to take a step forward in 2025. While he dealt with injuries last season, he ranked 51st out of 59 guards in pass protection from Weeks 10-17. However, he still managed to rank top-10 against the run.

Injuries are certainly something to contextualize with Avila’s 2024 season, but he never took the step forward that some were expecting. The Rams took Avila with the 36th overall pick with the idea that he would be the foundation of their offensive line. This is going to be a big season for him as he heads into year three. Is Avila a Pro Bowl caliber player or is he simply a replaceable starter? That is a major question when it comes to this version of the Rams offensive line. Another full offseason where he can focus on just one position should help.

C Coleman Shelton

It is somewhat surprising that the Rams didn’t opt to ride it out again with Beaux Limmer at center following a rookie season in which he got a lot of experience. Replacing Limmer with Shelton almost feels like an overreaction to one play in the NFC Divisional Round against the Philadelphia Eagles.

At the same time, it’s also an indication of what the Rams want on the offensive line which is familiarity. Shelton ranked seventh in pass blocking and 15th against the run last season according to PFF. He may not have a high ceiling, but he likely raises the floor at center. You are only as good as your weakest link on the offensive line and the Rams learned that the hard way.

Shelton brings a familiarity with Stafford and is a player that already knows the offense. He may not bring the interior size that the Rams leaned into last season, but it’s clear what the coaching staff is valuing in this group. Shelton isn’t going to get named to a Pro Bowl any time soon, but he also isn’t going to have the mental mistakes that Limmer had at times. The best way to put it is that Shelton is a floor raiser at the position. While the ceiling still isn’t very high and he is replacement level, that floor is higher than it was with Limmer.

RG Kevin Dotson

Dotson has taken the role of Rob Havenstein on the Rams offensive line. He may not ever be good enough to make a Pro Bowl or earn an All Pro designation. Still, he will likely always be within the top-10 at his position. Dotson has become the epitome of consistency on the Rams offensive line. He consistently plays at a top-10 level, but doesn’t get the recognition that other guards get. Thorn ranked Dotson as the sixth best right guard in the NFL. Said Thorn,

While Dotson doesn’t have the same recovery skills as the previously mentioned guards, he is a 6’4”, 335 pound battering ram with the power, play strength and physicality to displace and anchor on command. What Dotson offers an offense is no secret. After moving back to his natural home at right guard when he signed with the Rams in 2023, he has leaned into those strengths to solidify his standing as a top six right guard.

Ever since the Rams traded for Dotson, he has elevated the offensive line to another level. From Weeks 10-17, Dotson was the third best interior offensive lineman according to PFF, ranking third against the run and 17th in pass-blocking.

Dotson has been a valuable asset as the Rams have incorporated more gap scheme runs into their offense. His “battering ram” mentality allows him to move bodies in the run game. He does have lapses in pass protection, but remains solid, especially with Havenstein in the mix. An argument can be made that Dotson is the best offensive lineman that the Rams currently have.

RT Rob Havenstein

Havenstein is as consistent as it gets on the Rams offensive line and there is a chance that 2025 is his last. The Rams will certainly have Havenstein back as long as he wants to continue playing. Still, it’s worth mentioning that he is 33 and going into the final year of his contract. Havenstein has also missed games due to injury each of the season two seasons.

With that said, when Havenstein has been out, his lack of presence is felt. In Week 1, Warren McClendon allowed five pressures in a loss against the Detroit Lions. In Week 10, Joe Noteboom gave up six pressures in a loss to the Miami Dolphins. McClendon allowed three pressures and was the sixth-lowest graded tackle in Week 12 in the loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Havenstein gave up three or more pressures in three games last season. That happened in three of the four games that Havenstein missed.

Thorn ranked Havenstein as his 12th-best right tackle heading into 2025. Said Thorn,

“Despite battling an assortment of injuries over the last two seasons, including nagging ankle injuries, Havenstein has started 14 (2023) and 11 (2024) games over that span while displaying a similar level to his play in previous years. Havenstein is 6’8”, 325 pounds with a good sense of leverage, timing and spacing that manifests itself in the run game, where he does a nice job of walling off defenders on the front and backside. He is a solid pass protector who can compete with most competition. Although, he struggles with the upper-tier opponents (e.g. against Nick Bosa), especially in the Rams’ balanced, play-action heavy system. Despite being on a slight descent over the last couple of seasons and standing closer to the end than the beginning of his career, Havenstein’s situation and technical proficiency should net him another solid season.”

At the end of the day, Havenstein is always going to struggle against a certain type of player as Thorn suggests. That was seen in the NFC Wild Card loss against the Lions in 2023. Havenstein has also struggled against Nick Bosa. However, most weeks Havenstein is going to provide above-average level of play at right tackle. Again, his lack of presence was felt in games that he missed last season. The Rams have simply been unable to find a player to fill in on that side and not be a liability.

This could be Havenstein’s last go-around in 2025 and not many would complain if he went out the same way that Andrew Whitworth did back in 2021.

The Depth

OT DJ Humphries

Humphries is arguably the most important depth piece for the Rams on the offensive line heading into 2025. The reason for this is that he will go into the summer as the team’s starting left tackle in place of Jackson. Humphries did not play well last season for the Kansas City Chiefs. However, he has experience in the NFC West and should be someone that can be relied on over a month. Humphries is no longer someone that a team should be comfortable with over the course of the season. Still, he’s an experienced player that the Rams should be able to trust while Jackson recovers.

OT Warren McClendon

It should say a lot that when the Rams found out Jackson was going to miss time, they went out and signed not one, but two experienced left tackles. Heading into year three, that is something that McClendon should have been trusted with at this point in his career. That doesn’t mean that he can’t be quality depth, but it’s clear that the Rams don’t trust him to start over a long period. McClendon had good moments last season against the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks. However, he gave up three or more pressures in three of his four other starts. McClendon is likely seen as a Joe Noteboom replacement and depth behind Havenstein on the right side.

iOL Beaux Limmer

The Rams may still see Limmer as their center of the future, but a year to learn behind Shelton isn’t the worst thing. At the end of the day, Limmer was the worst center in pass protection last season via PFF. That experience from his rookie season was valuable, but he may be more suited as depth heading into year two. There is still a lot to like about Limmer’s game and you can do a lot worse for a sixth-round pick. He did well considering he was thrown into the fire much earlier than the team expected. A year to develop could be a good thing.

KT Leveston

Leveston isn’t a player that should be completely written off. While he didn’t play as a rookie, he provides depth at guard, but could play tackle if needed. Leveston may be competing for a roster spot this season, but he provides interior depth at guard that the Rams lack otherwise.

The Rest/Practice Squad

There’s no reason to spend too much time on the practice squad, but there are a few guys worth pointing out. All eyes will be on Willie Lampkin heading into training camp. He may provide good interior depth, but is an anomaly at the position. There are always exceptions, especially when it comes to size. Hopefully Lampkin is one of them.

Justin Dedich has some experience at left guard, playing well in a start against the Las Vegas Raiders last season. Additionally, Dylan McMahon shouldn’t be ruled out as a player the Rams claimed off waivers after roster cuts.

If there is a tackle to watch, it is Trey Wedig. Wedig was one of the better undrafted free agent tackles. Could he be another player like Jackson that the Rams develop into a starter? David Quessenberry may be a veteran player that the team keeps readily available.