Puka Nacua and Rob Havenstein will not be on the field early Sunday morning when the Los Angeles Rams take on the Jacksonville Jaguars in London.
It’s unfortunate when players lose their starting jobs because of injury, though Havenstein’s absence has created a massive opportunity for Warren McClendon. Can McClendon capitalize and become LA’s full-time right tackle for the remainder of the season?
Why this week is different
McClendon has performed admirably while filling in for Havenstein; however, in his two starts the Rams have faced the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens. These two teams are among the NFL’s worst at pass rushing, and according to Pro Football Focus (PFF) they rank 22nd and 26th respectively. The 49ers have pressured opposing quarterbacks only 84 times. The Ravens are at 85. These totals pale in comparison to the Jaguars who have posted 115.
This is a much different test for McClendon, and he could be in line to take Havenstein’s job if he holds up against a formidable Jacksonville pass rush.
John Hines-Allen is tied with the Rams’ Byron Young at ninth in pressures among EDGE rushers at 26. Travon Walker has 16 and would lead the Ravens and rank second on the 49ers’ defense behind Bryce Huff at 19. It’s safe to say that these two pass rushers are individually the toughest matchups the Rams tackles have faced in the last three weeks.
Giving the job to McClendon makes financial sense
Havenstein is in the last year of his contract and it’s unlikely at this point that he’ll be back next season.
McClendon will play in 2026 on the final year of his rookie deal, and as a fifth-round pick he will account for a minimal amount of money against the salary cap.
It would be a huge financial benefit for the Rams if they gain the understanding that McClendon is a capable starting right tackle. They’d enter the offseason without an urgent need at an expensive position, which would allow them to allocate salary cap resources to other areas of the roster—like corner or beginning to extend their promising young players in Puka Nacua, Kobie Turner, or Byron Young.
Havenstein has been very, very bad
There are 82 tackles who have played at least 86 snaps this season per PFF.
Havenstein ranks 60th in overall grade. He’s 55th in run blocking and 67th in pass blocking. For comparison, McClendon current ranks 25th in overall grade, 4th in the run game, and 47th in pass protection (though as mentioned he’s faced relatively weak competition). Alaric Jackson—who the Rams rewarded with a contract extension this past offseason—is 14th, 18th, and 13th in these same categories.
On paper this is the second-worst year of Havenstein’s career. He also had an injury-plagued season in 2019 where he played just over 600 snaps before being shut down in favor of Bobby Evans. Sure, the veteran bounced back to play well in the following five seasons; however, it’s fair to question at age 33 whether he has much left in the tank.
This could very possibly be the end of Havenstein’s career with the Rams. He’s the last holdover from the team’s days in St. Louis and the Jeff Fisher era of the team.
