The Los Angeles Rams are set to make a change at right tackle for the first time since Week 4 when starter Rob Havenstein returns to the lineup. Havenstein has been out since Week 5 with an ankle injury and is set to play on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. While Havenstein has been out, Warren McClendon has played well in his place and hasn’t given reason to make a change.
It was just last year that the Rams were in a similar spot. Last year, it was an experienced player in Jonah Jackson that missed six games in the early part of the season. In his place, Beaux Limmer had performed well at center, but when Jackson returned healthy, the Rams inserted him back in the lineup without question. Jackson performed poorly in a loss against the Miami Dolphins only for the Rams to insert Limmer back in the lineup the following week.
Havenstein is certainly a better player and more reliable than Jackson was. At the same time, the Rams have been able to play the same starting five on the offensive line over the past three weeks and that has included McClendon at right tackle. During that time period, Matthew Stafford has gone from being pressured at a 38.6 percent rate to a 31.5 percent rate. McClendon has been solid at right tackle, allowing just one pressure in each of the last two games. Is it really worth disrupting the chemistry and cohesion on the offensive line for the sake of experience?
Over much of the past decade, there have been few right tackles who have provided as much of a stable presence at right tackle as Havenstein. During the 2022 season, the only offensive lineman not to get injured was Havenstein. He has been the steady, veteran presence that the Rams have needed. At the same time, over the last two years, he’s struggled to stay healthy. Havenstein only missed his first game in Week 5, but he’s been on the injury report since Week 2 with an ankle injury.
It’s certainly possible that Havenstein re-injures his ankle and the Rams have to go back to McClendon in a few weeks anyway, needing to rebuild the chemistry that the offensive line currently has. Some of Havenstein’s struggles this season can be attributed to his injury. At the same time, he wasn’t that strong in Week 1 either. His level may simply be dropping at age 33.
From Weeks 1-4, Havenstein allowed 16 pressures which led the Rams via Pro Football Focus. It was also tied for the third-most pressures allowed among all offensive linemen. This was really a continuation from the end of last season. 13 of Havenstein’s 23 pressures came after he returned in Week 13. In four games this season, he’s allowed four or more pressures twice. That’s something McClendon has only done once and it came in his first start.
Havenstein brings a level of comfort and is predictable. The Rams know what they’re going to get from him and they know the type of pass rushers that he struggles against. Throughout his entire career, Havenstein has always struggled against speed rushers that can beat him around the outside.
That plan may work against most pass rushers as the outside is the longest way to the quarterback. However, against speed rushers, they are able to win faster and can also catch Havenstein off balance if they have the ability to convert speed to power.
While the decision to bench Havenstein would be a tough decision, it simply may be the right one. Havenstein was voted a team captain, but for a team that preaches a ‘we not me’ culture, it’s hard to see the Rams veteran not supporting McClendon and the offensive line in a different way. Havenstein can still lead and provide a role from the sideline.
It’s also worth noting the decision that the Rams will have to make at right tackle this offseason. The Rams are at 5-2 and shouldn’t have the offseason in mind. With that said, Havenstein’s contract expires and McClendon has one more year on his rookie deal. Even if the Rams were to opt for McClendon at right tackle, for this season, Havenstein would still be there as a security blanket in the event that the younger right tackle begins to struggle.
It is fair to note that the Rams have helped McClendon with a chip on several occasions over the past three weeks. That was especially the case in his first start against the 49ers and it continued in his most recent start against the Jaguars. At the same time, that doesn’t mean that he can’t hold his own. What McClendon did in the first half in pass protection against the 49ers was better than much of what Havenstein had shown in four games.
While PFF grades can be hit or miss on the offensive line, McClendon has a 58.2 pass-blocking grade to Havenstein’s 47.2. Those grades can be taken with a grain of salt, but that 11-point gap feels about right when watching the film. McClendon is stronger in pass protection and has held his own when asked to block 1-on-1.
McClendon does have a tendency to get beat outside with speed due to a slower get-off at times. He can also get his hands outside which is dangerous and can lead to holding penalties. For the most part, the Rams have done a nice job helping their young tackle when the situation dictates it.
In the run game, Havenstein has struggled to sustain through the play, especially in zone. He’s done well at the point of attack in power schemes, but defenders have been able to cut across him and make plays on the ball carrier. From Weeks 5-7, McClendon has been the sixth-best offensive lineman when it comes to run-blocking.
It’s hard to fault the Rams for going back to Havenstein, a familiar and dependable presence whose performance they can reliably predict. While it was Limmer that beat out Jackson last year, it’s worth wondering if Jackson makes the same mental mistake in the divisional round against the Philadelphia Eagles.
That communication and experience when it comes to stunts and different pass rush plans is likely a large reason that the Rams go back to Havenstein. McClendon showed the ability to communicate, but also allowed a free rusher at times. Havenstein and Kevin Dotson have been very good when playing next to each other over the past few seasons.
Over the second half of the season, the Rams will play the third, fourth, seventh, and ninth best defenses in the NFL when it comes to pressuring the quarterback. Sunday against the Saints will provide an opportunity for Havenstein to gain some chemistry with the current offensive line group. However, with how McClendon has played over the last three weeks, it’s worth wondering if a change is needed at all.
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