My hope is Jones is good enough to take the C spot and we move on from there. He was very good at C in college, he has the smarts you want your C to have. I hope he can become that guy. Until then Wells is the guy you want. Putting Robinson between Long and Wells should help him develop.
I would not argue that Barrett Jones has the potential to be an outstanding Center however he was also a very good starting ORT/OLT. If Barrett is removed from our OL reserve stash what happens then? Without Barrett who will play ORT if Barksdale goes down. Sean Hooey? Van Dyk? Mike Person? Brandon Washington? Which Ram OL can cover all five starting positions in an emergency that can be dressed each and every Sunday? Rams lost Chris Williams who could play OLT/OLG/ORG/ORT Rams lost Shelley Smith OLG/ORG. Rams released Harvey Dahl who has played ORG/ORT that's a bunch of
versatility now MIA. Do we really want to shift & flip the Rookie Greg Robinson from left OG side post to right OT a post he has never played ?
IMO it would appear now that the Barrett Jones is the only Ram OL'er who has a history of being a real bonified Swing OT/OG. Its just appears better for the overall OL..... that the much of the work in TC & Pre season would be Barnes-Wells & Rookie Rhaney.
Let Barrett get a heavy load @ the OT spots with those long arms & his past proven sound technical proficiency in pass blocking. If Barrett is able to meet this requirement in backing up the OT posts for a short time ...this will permit Boudreau to stay with his designed plan of starting 6-5 330 plus Saffold & 6-5 333 pound Robinson @ OG to run block!
If Barrett Jones does end up @ OC then a UFA ORT is a must maybe my best suggestion would be trying to bribe ORT David Stewart who played for Fisher or the worn down almost fully done ORT Tyson Clabo who played many seasons for Boudreau in Atlanta. I have no better answers.