With the Los Angeles Rams returning their offensive line intact, it gives them a big leg up on another playoff run in 2026. With Rob Havenstein’s retirement, Kevin Dotson becomes the de facto leader, Alaric Jackson and Steve Avila are proven on the blindside, Warren McClendon stepped in for Hav to earn RT#1 and although many fans would like to see Coleman Shelton replaced, he’s now started 60 straight NFL games.
The quintet gave a rock solid performance in 2025. Even though the unit fought through injuries, L.A. had the NFL’s #1 offense and ESPN rated them at #5 in pass block win rate and #2 in run block for the season. Jackson was absent Week 17, Avila left early Week 1 and then missed the next two, Dotson was out Weeks 17 and 18, while missing parts of five others, and finally, Havenstein missed Weeks 5, 6, and 7 before shutting it down after Week 11.
Behind the returning starters, the Rams have four linemen under contract for 2026. Center/guard Beau Limmer got off to a rough start last season and appeared to fall out of favor, tackle AJ Arcuri opens his 5th year in L.A. as a perennial practice squadder, while two more center/guard’s Dylan McMahon and Garrett Bowles had the same designation. Another center/guard, Justin Dedich, was last years primary interior backup and as a Exclusive Rights Free Agent, the Rams can bring him back on a cheap contract, if they so choose.
This current registry seems skewed towards backup interior players and light on the outside. The Rams could sign a couple of inexpensive retreads like last year, DJ Humphries and David Quessenberry as bookend support. Maybe they could spend some real money on higher brow free agents. Or they could draft a player or players with the experience and versatility to function in multiple roles.
Here’s five of my favorites and all will likely be available from Round 3 on.
Brian Parker – Duke – 6’5” 305 lb. 32 1/4” arms 9 3/4” hands
Recently turned 22 years-old and declared as a redshirt junior. Started 33 of 40 games with the Blue Devils, all but one at right tackle. In 2025, Parker was named to two Second Team All-American squads as well as two Third Team units.
Strong move skills that would fit nicely into a wide zone run offense, at guard, tackle, or center. Fluidly gets to the second level and out on screens. Not a mauler, more of a sound technician. Uses solid footwork to square up opponents and mirrors well. Sets an acceptable base against power. In the run game, he stays low and achieves leverage from behind his pads, while in pass pro, he’s a little more upright and doesn’t have the mass or play strength to drop anchor against pro pass rushers.
Parker is a bit different than the others in that he’s likely destined to play inside as pro. Scouts wanted to see him playing center at the East-West Shrine Bowl and from all accounts, he did so quite well. I put a mid/late Round 3 grade on him before the move and I think his performance in the pivot at the Shrine Bowl solidified that judgement. Now, we don’t have to base our projection arguments over if his arms are long enough to play tackle or if he has enough mass for guard. What we have left is a fine player with five-position versatility.
Keegan Trost – Missouri – 6’4” 316 lb.
Four stops in a seven-year college career. Started at Morgan State with a 2019 redshirt and then transferred to Indiana State. After the lost 2020 COVID19 season, Trost remained with the Sycamores three more years. Wanting to play D1, he bumped up to Wake Forest for 2024 and took another step up in 2025, for a final year at SEC Missouri. For his career, he played in 51 games with 38 starts.
Very powerful upper body with stellar grip strength. Squares up well and does a good job of keeping his hands inside. Doesn’t always extend and latch on. Trost often uses his arms to stand up opponents as they charge and lets them inside delivering a helmet/head butt to their chin. Quick get-off to run block and into pass sets.Has the requisite footwork for reach and seal blocks. Not an elite mover, but sneakily athletic. In Mizzou’s zone run game, he smoothly gets to second level, out on pulls, and in front of screens smoothly, Good striker in space. Plays through the whistle and often drives his foes 10 yards backwards when he gets locked on
.Although all the moving around and the fact he’s an older prospect (turns 25 in April) must be accounted for. Trost has great film vs top opponents and was named to two All-American teams at Mizzou. There’s a bit of a high risk/reward vibe with him, but that is somewhat salved by a Round 4 grade.
Jayden Williams – Mississippi – 6’4” 310 lb. 33 1/4” arms 9 1/8” hands
Three-star prospect in class of 2021, in high school, Williams played some tight end along with tackle and was an all-conference in basketball. Started 33 of 44 SEC games and logging starts at both left and right tackle along with a few at guard. Was honorable mention Freshman All-American. Battled minor injuries in 2023 and a torn meniscus in 2024.
Blocky frame and arms that look longer than they measured. Patient, smooth mover with good footwork and solid technique, Squares up defenders and packs a solid punch or gets shoulders into it. Plays behind his pads with good leverage. Uses a long arm move like a boxer uses combinations.When plays are away from him, Williams latches on and torques opponents. Not hanging on, more like a judo throw. Although he moves fluidly, not the greatest striker downfield, needs to get himself under control.
Being built more like a prototypical NFL guard may leave him in a pinch. Could not find any film at guard, but Williams has strong film at the SEC level, grounded technique, and moves well. I grade him as late Round 4/ early Round 5 and thats higher than most. He’s a sleeper with a good floor.
Logan Taylor – Boston College – 6’6” 305 lb. 34 3/8” arms 10 3/8” hands
Originally signed with the Virginia Cavaliers as a four-star tackle prospect. After a redshirt he started 11 games at left tackle.Taylor transferred to Boston College for his final three years and garnered two Honorable Mention and a Second Team All-ACC accolades. With the Eagles, he racked up 36 starts, 17 at left tackle, 10 at left guard, nine at right guard, and one at right tackle.
Good all-round game, not especially gifted at any one particular thing, except physical traits. Good pad level, knee bend, and balance for a tall player. Acceptable move skills with good footwork. His game film is good, better I think that his Senior Bowl 1on1 work. It wasn’t bad, he certainly had his share of strong reps, but rushers who beat him exploited lazy hand/punch work. Those who swiped away his hands were able to get right by him.
Although there’s something to be said about a prospect that has the potential to be effective at four different positions, Taylor has developmental feel to his game. He needs to upgrade his play strength and mass for the pro game. I rate him in Round 6/early Round 7 area. Not sure he can ever challenge for a starts, but may become a very versatile piece in reserve.
Garrett DiGiorgio – UCLA – 6’4” 313 lb. 32 3/4” arms 10 1/8” hands
After a redshirt, DiGiorgio became a four-year starter for the Bruins, 49 of 50 games. Started at right tackle in his first three seasons, before moving to right guard in his finale. Played at the East-West Shrine Bowl and was a consensus draft board riser.
While not an elite athlete, DiGiorgio does show nice footwork when working reach and seal blocks. Gets to the next level on duo blocks and has enough power to move the opposition on driven down blocks, although he needs play strength work. As a pass protector, he gets into sets quickly, has a wide base, and is patient with his punch. Would like to see him use those big hands to latch on/lock up inside. Arm length is not stellar, but he hand fights well. Understands leverage and holds blocks pretty well.
I have a late Round 7 grade on DiGiorgio. Playing with numerous playcallers, he’s gained experience, savvy, and versatility.. You can see film on him going back to 2022 and see his progression. A smart and scrappy prospect.
Swing town
It appears quite clear that the Rams are in need of support for a solid starting offensive line. Could any of these rookie prospects become the swing player that comes off the bench in relief and battens down the hatches?
Keagan Trost and Jayden Williams appear to have the physicality, move skills, and competition pedigree to step in sooner than later. Logan Taylor and Garrett DiGiorgio both strike me as needing play strength, but are tough, smart, and versatile, not only in position, but in offensive scheme. And while Brian Parker’s mass/length attributes don’t quite match up to his technical and athletic prowess, he has the chops to become at starter in the middle.
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