RESEARCH: Is the Rams’ offensive line among the worst in the NFL?
As we move into the 2025 season, questions surrounding the Los Angeles Rams’ offensive line have resurfaced, especially after a season marked by inconsistency, injuries, and unfulfilled potential. Under the guidance of head coach Sean McVay, the Rams’ offense has traditionally been a high-flying, dynamic unit. However, no offense can thrive without a solid foundation up front, and the Rams’ offensive line has struggled in recent seasons to maintain that foundation. This article delves into the current state of the Rams’ offensive line, how it compares to other teams in the NFL, and what steps the team is taking to address its deficiencies.
A Historical Context: The Rams’ Offensive Line Struggles
The offensive line has been a concern for the Los Angeles Rams for a number of years, even during the peak of their Super Bowl run in 2018. While the team enjoyed success offensively under McVay, their ability to consistently protect quarterback Jared Goff (and later, Matthew Stafford) has been an ongoing issue. In 2019, the Rams finished with the 23rd-ranked offensive line in terms of pass protection according to Pro Football Focus (PFF). The following seasons didn’t improve much, with the 2020 offensive line ranked 19th and the 2021 line slipping further to 22nd in PFF’s rankings.
Despite these struggles, McVay’s ability to scheme around deficiencies and emphasize quick passing and play-action helped mitigate some of the challenges. However, the 2023 and 2024 seasons have shown how fragile this system can be when key players are missing, and the offensive line continues to falter.
Current State of the Rams’ Offensive Line (2025)
As of the 2025 season, the Rams’ offensive line remains a mixed bag. While the team has made efforts to improve the unit through the draft and free agency, there are still significant question marks surrounding its ability to protect Stafford and create holes for the running backs.
The Starting Offensive Line in 2025
At the heart of the Rams’ line are several key figures:
- Left Tackle: Joe Noteboom Joe Noteboom has been a fixture on the Rams’ offensive line for several years, taking over as the starting left tackle after the departure of Andrew Whitworth. Unfortunately, Noteboom has been inconsistent since taking over this role. While he’s shown flashes of solid play, he’s often been plagued by injuries and struggles with consistency in pass protection.
- Left Guard: David Edwards David Edwards has been another key piece of the Rams’ offensive line since being drafted in 2019. While Edwards is a strong run blocker, he has struggled in pass protection at times. In 2024, he had difficulty handling some of the more explosive interior pass rushers, which contributed to Stafford’s pressure and sacks.
- Center: Brian Allen Brian Allen has held down the starting center position for the Rams for several years. Allen is typically known for his intelligence and ability to make line calls, but he has occasionally shown his limitations in pass protection against more physical defensive linemen.
- Right Guard: Coleman Shelton Coleman Shelton took on an increased role in 2024, and while he is solid, he’s not regarded as an elite guard in the league. Shelton provides stability but lacks the ability to overpower or outpace his counterparts, which can sometimes result in gaps in protection.
- Right Tackle: Rob Havenstein Rob Havenstein has been a consistent performer at right tackle for the Rams. While he’s certainly not one of the league’s elite tackles, Havenstein is solid and dependable, offering good run blocking and average pass protection. He’s one of the few stabilizing forces on the line.
Injuries and Depth Concerns
Injuries have been a constant issue for the Rams’ offensive line, and 2025 is no different. Noteboom, in particular, has struggled to stay healthy, and when he’s sidelined, the Rams lack proven options to step in and contribute at a high level. While the team has depth in terms of bodies—players like Tremayne Anchrum and Alaric Jackson have seen snaps—it’s evident that the depth behind the starters is lacking in quality.
This depth problem was particularly glaring in 2023 when Noteboom missed significant time, and the Rams were forced to shuffle players around. This lack of continuity and stability on the line only exacerbated the team’s struggles in both the running and passing games.
League Comparisons: Where the Rams Rank
To better assess whether the Rams’ offensive line is among the worst in the NFL, let’s compare it to the other 31 teams in the league. In 2024, multiple outlets and analytics sites such as Pro Football Focus (PFF) and Football Outsiders ranked the Rams’ offensive line somewhere in the middle to lower third of the league. According to PFF, the Rams finished 22nd in pass protection and 20th in run blocking—certainly not a good ranking, but not quite at the bottom either.
Let’s break this down further:
Pass Protection
In 2024, the Rams allowed 48 sacks, which is a significant amount. With a quarterback like Stafford, who is known for taking deep shots downfield, the offensive line’s struggles to protect the pocket have been evident. The Rams were ranked near the bottom of the NFL in pass protection, with Noteboom and Edwards often getting overpowered by premier pass rushers.
When comparing the Rams to the top-tier teams, such as the San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, or the Philadelphia Eagles, their offensive line performance falls short. These teams boast offensive lines that rank in the top 10, with strong individual players, depth, and overall cohesion. For example, the Eagles’ offensive line, led by stars like Lane Johnson and Jason Kelce, allows the least amount of pressure in the league, creating an ideal environment for quarterbacks Jalen Hurts and, previously, Carson Wentz.
Run Blocking
In 2024, the Rams’ offensive line ranked similarly poorly in run blocking. Despite having a talented running back in Cam Akers, who can be explosive when given a crease, the Rams struggled to establish any consistent rushing attack. The offensive line allowed defenders to penetrate too often, and Akers was forced to deal with unblocked defenders in the backfield more than many other running backs in the league.
In comparison, teams like the Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, and Tennessee Titans have elite run-blocking lines that can pave the way for their backs to gain significant yardage. The Rams, by contrast, often found themselves in third-and-long situations due to their inability to establish a solid ground game.
The Middle of the Pack: Teams with Comparable Lines
While the Rams’ line is certainly not among the league’s worst, it is certainly in the bottom tier in many categories. Teams like the Chicago Bears, Miami Dolphins, and Dallas Cowboys rank near or below the Rams in overall offensive line performance, but they all benefit from standout players or systems that help mitigate these weaknesses.
The Bears, for example, are ranked near the Rams in overall offensive line efficiency, but the mobility of quarterback Justin Fields and his ability to evade pressure helps hide some of their line’s deficiencies. Similarly, the Dolphins’ line has underperformed in some areas but benefits from a quick-passing attack that minimizes pressure on quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
Steps the Rams Are Taking to Improve
As the Rams prepare for the 2025 season, it’s clear that their offensive line remains a primary area of focus. Here are some of the strategies and moves they’re likely to employ:
Addressing Injuries
First and foremost, keeping their starters healthy will be crucial. The Rams have invested in strengthening their depth by adding backup linemen through the draft and free agency. They’ll need to ensure that players like Noteboom and Edwards can stay healthy and perform at a high level, or else they risk facing more inconsistency.
Investing in the Draft and Free Agency
The Rams have used the draft to secure young talent for the offensive line in recent years, but many of those players have yet to develop into reliable contributors. With the 2025 draft on the horizon, the Rams will likely target offensive line prospects, especially at tackle and guard, to improve the talent level on the roster.
Additionally, the Rams will explore free-agent options to strengthen the line further. Veteran linemen can provide immediate help, particularly if they come from systems known for solid line play, such as the Ravens, Patriots, or Packers.
Improving Line Play through Coaching
The Rams’ offensive line coach, Kevin Carberry, will play a critical role in improving the unit’s cohesion and technique. McVay and offensive coordinator Liam Coen will work closely with Carberry to ensure that the linemen are properly coached in run blocking, pass protection, and executing McVay’s system, which relies heavily on timing and precision.
