This season, the Los Angeles Rams have made it clear that they value a high floor over a high ceiling. It’s why they approached the cornerback position in the way that they did. It’s also why they brought back Coleman Shelton and opted to play him over Beaux Limmer. This approach may also explain why rookies such as Terrance Ferguson and Jarquez Hunter haven’t played as much as some would like.
At some point, the Rams may need to take the risk of playing a younger player and side with the higher ceiling. As I wrote last week,
‘With so much on the line in the NFL, it makes sense that a coaching staff would want younger players to prove themselves before giving them opportunities. Still, over the last two seasons, the Rams have been a beneficiary of younger players outperforming expectations and proving themselves on the field on Sundays. However, in raising the floor, the Rams also lowered their ceiling in some ways. While young players can bring inconsistency, that variation in outcomes may also be what the Rams need to take the next step.“
Opting for experience and a high floor has been a consistent theme for the Rams in 2025 and it is likely the way they will continue to approach the season. However, if the Rams are going to hit their ceiling, they may need to make some difficult decisions. One of those decisions comes at right tackle.
Over the past two weeks, Warren McClendon has been the team’s starting right tackle as Rob Havenstein manages an injury. With Havenstein in the final year of his contract and McClendon in year three, there has been some speculation on whether or not he is the replacement at right tackle. McClendon has never gotten a consistent run of games at the position, filling in as a spot starter. At the same time, the Rams also haven’t drafted anybody else despite plenty of opportunities to do so.
At the very least, the Rams have gotten a strong look at McClendon over the past two weeks. Still, it’s worth asking the question of whether or not Havenstein should take the starting right tackle spot back when he returns. Pro Football Focus should not be taken as gospel by any means. With that said, PFF and the eye test would suggest that Havenstein has dropped a level this season.
This season, Havenstein has allowed 16 pressures on 154 pass-blocking opportunities. That’s one pressure once every 9.63 snaps. That’s by far the worst in his career as is his 94.1 pass-blocking efficiency. Throughout his career, Havenstein has consistently been good in the run game. His 58.1 run-blocking grade is his worst since 2019.
There’s no questioning that Havenstein has been a stable presence for the Rams at right tackle over the past decade. However, it’s worth wondering if he is still the best option. A few things can be true over the last two weeks. McClendon has played well on the right side in place of Havenstein. At the same time, the Rams have faced two bottom-five pass rushes in pressure rate. It may be risky to bet on him as the future right tackle, but he’s also shown he’s more than a capable backup.
Through the first six weeks of the season, the Rams have had four different starting offensive line groupings. The starting five of Alaric Jackson, Steve Avila, Coleman Shelton, Kevin Dotson, and Rob Havenstein have played all of 15 snaps together back in Week 1. For the sake of consistency and cohesiveness, the Rams may be better just sticking with McClendon in the immediate future. It’s possible that the Rams may end up back at McClendon anyway given Havenstein’s recent run of injuries.
Additionally, just because the Rams go to McClendon now, doesn’t mean that they can’t go back to Havenstein. While that’s not necessarily what you want on the offensive line, it is still an option if McClendon were to struggle. In the same way that the Rams went back to Beaux Limmer after Jonah Jackson struggled at center last season, they could do the same at right tackle. It would also allow Havenstein to get 100 percent healthy.
However, McClendon has played well over the past two weeks. It’s worth mentioning that the Rams have helped McClendon a lot in pass protection by giving him a tight end or running back to provide a chip block. At the same time, he allowed zero pressures against the Ravens and had a run-blocking grade of 82.3.
Since 2023, McClendon has 25 or more snaps in seven games at right tackle for the Rams. On three separate occasions, he’s allowed zero pressures and had a run-blocking grade over 75. McClendon is essentially offering similar level play with a higher ceiling than Havenstein at this point.
This isn’t to make a case for McClendon to start moving forward, but it should be something that is considered. The Rams have navigated through a lot of change along the offensive line this season and, right now, it’s McClendon that provides stability at right tackle.
Rams linebackers impress
The story of this game was clearly Nate Landman. He had a team-high 17 tackles and also had the forced fumble. Landman is among the best free agent signings for any team this offseason. However, it’s also worth talking about Shaun Dolac. For a player in his first action on defense, he played well.
Dolac was quick to the ball and his short-area quickness and change of direction was evident. On the play below, he’s on the ball as Justice Hill makes the catch. Dolac was also disciplined in the run game and didn’t have a single missed tackle. There was a play later in the game in which Dolac crashes down from the outside and hits Derrick Henry in the backfield. Dolac’s average depth of tackle in the run game of three yards was the best among Rams linebackers. He also had a run stop rate of 13.3 percent. It’s a limited sample against a team that wasn’t at its best. However, Dolac made a case that he should see the field more on defense.
Better play from Rams secondary
The star of the Rams secondary this season has been Quentin Lake. On Sunday against the Ravens, Lake had his first career interception and also had a fumble recovery. He’s playing at a Pro Bowl level and is earning the conversation for an extension this offseason. Lake was the second-highest graded safety via PFF in Week 6.
It is also worth noting that while it came against a weaker wide receiver group and a backup quarterback, Darious Williams and Emmanuel Forbes both played well. Williams had a pass breakup while Forbes had a forced fumble. Both were sticky in coverage and had a much better game than last week. Still, the Rams would benefit from trading for a cornerback.
Davante Adams Drops
At some point, Davante Adams needs to start making the tough catches. Adams was only credited with one drop, but he had three balls that hit his hands that a receiver of his caliber should come down with. It’s true that Stafford should make the ball easier for Adams in the back of the end zone. Still, Stafford changes his arm angle and has to keep the linebacker in the middle of the field in mind. The ball hits Adams in the hands and he still has a chance at it.
This season, Adams has a drop-rate of 13.3 percent. That would be his highest since 2018. Some of Adams’ lack of success early can be attributed to his connection with Stafford possibly not being all there yet. At the same time, there are some things in Adams’ control. He certainly hasn’t been a free agent bust as his 1.94 yards per route still make him a very good WR2. Still, he hasn’t necessarily been the 1B to Puka Nacua’s 1A.
Honorable Mention
Davis Allen has taken a huge step forward as a blocker and it’s worth wondering why the Rams brought Colby Parkinson back this season. He’s a similar blocker as Parkinson and offers more as a receiver. The Rams have utilized Allen in pass protection and as a run blocker this season and he’s excelled in those roles.
The Rams may not have put on their best display when it comes to stopping the run. However, they stopped it when it mattered. This was a defensive line that stopped back-to-back tush push plays. On fourth down, Poona Ford’s presence was felt. Ford immediately penetrated into the backfield to force Henry outside and then Jared Verse and Troy Reeder were there to get the stop.
This embedded content failed to load.
See More:
