Alaric Jackson Looks Like Real Deal

[Merlin]

The problem is say KC signs him...if you let him work out a deal, the 30th pick from KC doesn't help much at LT even with a trade up.

I forget all the rules for the diif types of franchise tags. Is there one where he can't go anywhere regardless of interest from other teams?

Yeah there's room to get burned. I think I would transition tag him just for the control, but the franchise tag comes with more control. Comes down to whether the Rams can stomach paying him top dollar for one season to milk out Stafford's window, and is it worth that.

Jackson is one of those decisions where I think you could argue either side. Way I see it now at least is that he's tied to Stafford. I don't expect the Rams to let him go if they want to take another shot or two with 9 behind center.

In my offseason mock for this reason I tried to address the OT depth outside round 1, on top of tagging Jackson. But there's no real easy solution. It's gonna be a dice roll I think.

 

[Noregar]

Jackson appears to be the Rams best option at LT. He is immersed in McVay's system, and the Rams know what they are getting. Retaining him is not without risks but he offers less risk than when they signed Noteboom to a FA deal.

Jackson will demand signficanly more money that what was paid to Boom but I think he has erned a big bayday becasue he is playing himself into the upper tier even though he is not an elite LT at this point.

The Rams still need to draft a tackle or two that can be developed because Havenstein does not have many seasons left. Finding a starting caliber tackle as a rookie is highly unlikely past the first or second round. The Rams found Jackson as UDFA but he was not ready for prime time as a rookie and has taken some time to fully develop as well as gain weight and strength. The Rams were extremely fortunate to find a starting caliber center like Bo Limmer in the 6th round and finding a 6th round rookie that can start is a lot more likely at center than at tackle.

I will note that the Rams have done a great job backfilling the roster with late round and UDFA talent, but Left tackles are elite athletes that are particularly hard to find. Jackson was a UDFA because he was extremely undersized regarding his 285 lb. weight coming out of college. In the long run it is harder find success by taking UDFA's like Aleric Jackson than picking elite prospects like Orlando Pace. The problem with the elite tackle prospect is that they usually go top 10 if not in the top 5 and someone like Pace was # 1 overall.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Would love if he could be the long-term RT, if they can get a stud LT in one of the next two drafts. For now he is good enough, but an elite LT he is not. Granted not easy to find those as we were spoiled with Whitworth, and yrs ago witj Pace... then again those were the only LTs that have won SBs for this organization and they also played on 4 of the 5 SB teams that we have had.

So elite LTs do matter.

That’s an odd leap in logic.

So when the Ravens won a Super Borl with Ed Reed does that mean it’s necessary to have an elite safety to win a Super Bowl?

Is it a requirement to have an elite QB to win a Super Bowl? An Elite RB?

 

[WestCoastRam]

I expect them to tag Jackson. It ensures you don't have a gaping hole at LT next year. It allows him to test the FA market. And from there the Rams will get compensation if he signs elsewhere. Assuming he isn't unrealistic in his demands, it is from there possible he sticks around, but if not then the Rams potentially have draft capital to move up for a LT.

Moving up for LT is important if they need to endure a young player doing the job. You want an early choice for that vice a later one. That is not to say I have been looking at the OT group in the draft, I have not really watched them yet. But if you get into the top ten generally you can have a shot at a guy with a chance to do that job. So the tag and trade is crucial for the Rams in this moment. This is not someone they can let leave in FA and wait on a comp pick.

If they keep him around the advantage is all their resources are spent building around Stafford for another run or two. And that is a significant advantage. So even though I think Jackson comes with a ton of risk in terms of signing him, it feels like the Rams might get that done. Ride Stafford's remaining window and push the LT decision out. Also Jackson could potentially slide over to RT if the Rams were to find a LT type in the 2026 draft. Because RT will be a need by then when Hav rolls out.

FWIW, it's reportedly not a good 1st round this year even beyond the QBs. Tackles are apparently okay. Pundits are saying most 1st rounders this year would not have been taken before 20s last year. I think Rams can tag him and sit tight and see what pops up at tackle in the 1st round or later.

 

[PhillyRam]

That’s an odd leap in logic.

So when the Ravens won a Super Borl with Ed Reed does that mean it’s necessary to have an elite safety to win a Super Bowl?

Is it a requirement to have an elite QB to win a Super Bowl? An Elite RB?

I would argue the two most important positions on an offense is QB & LT...add in pass rusher & CB1, and those are the 4 most critical positions on a football team. Not many SB winners won without an all-pro caliber LT. Especially teams without QBs named Brady or Mahomes.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I would argue the two most important positions on an offense is QB & LT...add in pass rusher & CB1, and those are the 4 most critical positions on a football team. Not many SB winners won without an all-pro caliber LT. Especially teams without QBs named Brady or Mahomes.

You just qualified your answer at the end.

If your team is strong enough in other areas it can overcome other weaknesses in important areas.

Trent Dilfer is proof. The Rams are proof. They won a Super Boel with one healthy starting Receiver, a great QB, and unable to tun the ball.

If Aleric Jackson was a terrible oLT then I’d agree that he needs to be upgraded. But he’s played well. 15th out of 132 tackles? That’s very good.

I don’t understand the angst concerning Jackson.

 

[Noregar]

That’s an odd leap in logic.

So when the Ravens won a Super Borl with Ed Reed does that mean it’s necessary to have an elite safety to win a Super Bowl?

Is it a requirement to have an elite QB to win a Super Bowl? An Elite RB?

I agree with Philly here. All of the the Ram's super bowl teams have had elite/top tier left tackles. You may call it somewhat of a coincidence since teams have won SB's without elite LT's but almost all SB winners have had at least a top tier caliber tackle even if they were not classified as elite.

As to the Rams they have not won or even gone to a super bowl without one.

1979 super bowl team - LT Doug France - 2 time pro bowler
1999 & 2001 Super bowl teams- LT Orlando Pace (HOF and as elite as they get)
2021 and 2018 Super Bowl Teams - LT Andrew Whitworth (Big Whit. was elite in my book)

As I mentioned in my earlier post Jackson is playing himself into the upper tier so that may be good enough.

 

[OldSchool]

I'm not so sure about that. Under McSnead, the Rams have resigned a few players, but the only player they have extended early is Kupp.

Early extensions usually only happen for elite players. AJ is not elite.

He's a free agent to be. It's not too early. They could have done it this off season if they wanted to.

 

[OldSchool]

I expect them to tag Jackson. It ensures you don't have a gaping hole at LT next year. It allows him to test the FA market. And from there the Rams will get compensation if he signs elsewhere. Assuming he isn't unrealistic in his demands, it is from there possible he sticks around, but if not then the Rams potentially have draft capital to move up for a LT.

Moving up for LT is important if they need to endure a young player doing the job. You want an early choice for that vice a later one. That is not to say I have been looking at the OT group in the draft, I have not really watched them yet. But if you get into the top ten generally you can have a shot at a guy with a chance to do that job. So the tag and trade is crucial for the Rams in this moment. This is not someone they can let leave in FA and wait on a comp pick.

If they keep him around the advantage is all their resources are spent building around Stafford for another run or two. And that is a significant advantage. So even though I think Jackson comes with a ton of risk in terms of signing him, it feels like the Rams might get that done. Ride Stafford's remaining window and push the LT decision out. Also Jackson could potentially slide over to RT if the Rams were to find a LT type in the 2026 draft. Because RT will be a need by then when Hav rolls out.

I hope they don't tag him. I'm fine with keeping him but tagging seems like a massive over reaction. If they wanted him at that price they could sign him right now.

 

[DzRams]

He's a free agent to be. It's not too early. They could have done it this off season if they wanted to.

True. It still could happen. I expect them to make an attempt at a long term extension prior to free agency.

 

[PhillyRam]

You just qualified your answer at the end.

If your team is strong enough in other areas it can overcome other weaknesses in important areas.

Trent Dilfer is proof. The Rams are proof. They won a Super Boel with one healthy starting Receiver, a great QB, and unable to tun the ball.

If Aleric Jackson was a terrible oLT then I’d agree that he needs to be upgraded. But he’s played well. 15th out of 132 tackles? That’s very good.

I don’t understand the angst concerning Jackson.

I would focus on what's typical as opposed to the outliers. Afterall that's why they went and got Stafford instead of trying to win with a QB that had weaknesses at that time.

 

[OldSchool]

True. It still could happen. I expect them to make an attempt at a long term extension prior to free agency.

As I've mentioned before I would be ok with bringing him back, not a tag fan though. But part of me thinks if they really wanted him back they'd have signed him already or signed him long term last year. Just me wondering out loud on it.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I agree with Philly here. All of the the Ram's super bowl teams have had elite/top tier left tackles. You may call it somewhat of a coincidence since teams have won SB's without elite LT's but almost all SB winners have had at least a top tier caliber tackle even if they were not classified as elite.

As to the Rams they have not won or even gone to a super bowl without one.

1979 super bowl team - LT Doug France - 2 time pro bowler
1999 & 2001 Super bowl teams- LT Orlando Pace (HOF and as elite as they get)
2021 and 2018 Super Bowl Teams - LT Andrew Whitworth (Big Whit. was elite in my book)

As I mentioned in my earlier post Jackson is playing himself into the upper tier so that may be good enough.

Teams can win without a top tier left tackle. But, watching Jackson’s game play and stats, he’s looking like a top tier tackle. Didn’t he only allow one sack last year?

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I would focus on what's typical as opposed to the outliers. Afterall that's why they went and got Stafford instead of trying to win with a QB that had weaknesses at that time.

Let’s me ask you this? Are you saying that a team cannot win a Super Bowl with Aleric Jackson at Left tackle?

 

[WestCoastRam]

He was out two games this year for personal conduct and (help me out here chat) wasn't he excused from one game last year?

Wonder how much that figures into a long term deal...

I don't love tagging him but I think his talent being what it is and the circumstances of LT in the league in FA next year and the draft necessitate it.

I'd be into a long term deal but those absences should make the front office at least nervous.

 

[DzRams]

As I've mentioned before I would be ok with bringing him back, not a tag fan though. But part of me thinks if they really wanted him back they'd have signed him already or signed him long term last year. Just me wondering out loud on it.

I'm not a tag fan either. I see that path as unlikely.

I get the position of wondering why he hasn't been signed yet, so I looked into it. There have been no players resigned early since 2017 other than Kupp. But there have been several that they resigned after their contracts ran out.

That tells me they don't like resigning players early unless they're elite.

 

[RamDino]

You just qualified your answer at the end.

If your team is strong enough in other areas it can overcome other weaknesses in important areas.

Trent Dilfer is proof. The Rams are proof. They won a Super Boel with one healthy starting Receiver, a great QB, and unable to tun the ball.

If Aleric Jackson was a terrible oLT then I’d agree that he needs to be upgraded. But he’s played well. 15th out of 132 tackles? That’s very good.

I don’t understand the angst concerning Jackson.

I don't understand how or why Jackson can be rated 15th out of 132 when there are only 32 left tackles in the NFL. That said, I also believe AJ has earned the right to a nice payday although I would not expect him to "set the market". The highest paid guys are getting around 28 million per year and I hope Jackson settles for quite a bit less than that... maybe around 20-22 million? I'm also a fan of home-town discounts and I believe the Rams have been very good to AJ. They drafted him, trained him, and also put up with his health problems and other issues. But I do not believe the Rams have many other options. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

 

[OldSchool]

I don't understand how or why Jackson can be rated 15th out of 132 when there are only 32 left tackles in the NFL. That said, I also believe AJ has earned the right to a nice payday although I would not expect him to "set the market". The highest paid guys are getting around 28 million per year and I hope Jackson settles for quite a bit less than that... maybe around 20-22 million? I'm also a fan of home-town discounts and I believe the Rams have been very good to AJ. They drafted him, trained him, and also put up with his health problems and other issues. But I do not believe the Rams have many other options. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

All tackles and all guys that have taken snaps at tackle.

 

[dieterbrock]

With a second round tender in a draft class loaded with tackles. Teams aren’t going to pay and give up a pick if they think they can get one on a rookie deal for four years.

Gotta keep in it perspective.

So which OL drafted in the 2nd round of the draft would you rather have at OLT right now? AJ is getting 5 mill for this year. I'd gladly give up a 2nd rounder and sign him for a 3-4 year deal at 5-6 mill per. Did anyone make an offer? No idea. But could they have? Sure could have. Rams let him test the market

For me, I think he's shown enough to be the future LT, and I'd sign him long term without hesitation. Between the RFA and suspension, I wonder if there is any issue between the 2 parties? I'd like to think they kept it quiet and took care of him, but I could see where AJ might be annoyed he didnt get the higher RFA tender.

 

[Allen2McVay]

I don't understand how or why Jackson can be rated 15th out of 132 when there are only 32 left tackles in the NFL.

The Rams have had three different starting Left Tackles this year.

I live in New York, and the Giants have also had three; and the Jets two or three.