Rams Select Steve Avila (OC/OG) with the 36th Pick.

[JYB]

Looks like an excellent pick. Suggests to me the Rams recognize they need to rebuild the foundations, not just add skill players (though maybe the ones they wanted weren't there at 36.)

Also strongly suggests to me that the Rams are in fact going in a different direction on their oline. They need more strength and physicality if they want to hang in there against teams like the Niners or Philly. Avila has it, and hopefully has the technical ability to match.

But it might be a bit unfair to play him at center. Isn't there a rule against 330 pound centers?

Totally agree. And, IMO, long overdue. Not just addressing the O line, but addressing it with some real beef. This team has preferred the 290-305 interior linemen and they just get pushed around too much. Surely it hasn't been lost on them that the teams in last year's NFC Championship Game put a significant focus on building up their lines on both sides of the ball. And that their weak O-line is a reason they almost never beat the Niners.

But this may not have been as much of a focus as it seems. If you listen to the press conference by McVay and Snead afterwards, they implied that they were strongly leaning to taking a WR. But I'm glad they resisted.

 

[Corbin]

I think Bruss will benefit from a year’s worth of NFL conditioning. Hopefully his injury didn’t impact that too much.

If Bruss lives up to billing, partnered with Avila, the Rams oline has a different vibe.

Can I ask what you think of Boom/Jackson starting at LT? Should we get a LT prospect this draft? McFadden grades out well to develop.

 

[Memento]

Can I ask what you think of Boom/Jackson starting at LT? Should we get a LT prospect this draft? McFadden grades out well to develop.

Would probably draft a left tackle next year. I want A-Jax to get the first shot; he was very good at left tackle.

 

[Corbin]

Would probably draft a left tackle next year. I want A-Jax to get the first shot; he was very good at left tackle.

Yeah i hope so, I’m a A Ajax fan just hesitant with injuries now. Hope he can stay healthy from now on.

 

[Memento]

Yeah i hope so, I’m a A Ajax fan just hesitant with injuries now. Hope he can stay healthy from now on.

Blood clots is a freak thing. I think it's a freak thing. A-Jax way outplayed Noteboom.

 

[WestCoastRam]

I'm going to puke. Bennett? Panic move cause Haener got taken before us? Dude was talked about being undraftable due to character concerns and age.

 

[Noregar]

Rams biggest need was upgrading the OL and there were no stater ready LTs so they got arguably the best interior OL in the draft. Great value pick.

 

[blackbart]

That's if Bruss can cut it, he didn't offer much encouragement in PS last year. Avila at least gives us another bite at that apple. And if Bruss works out, great. If not, I think Shelton has proven he can man the spot quite well.

Look at the guys he was playing with.

What he showed was he was willing to layout to try getting block that put him at risk when he sustained the freak knee injury.

He would have been in the starting line up if not at the start shortly after the season began.

He will be a good addition.

 

[blackbart]

I'm going to puke. Bennett? Panic move cause Haener got taken before us? Dude was talked about being undraftable due to character concerns and age.

Yeah he only won back to back championships and is from the same school as Stafford. Played in a pro style offense and can make any throw.

Good pick at that point who has an opportunity and for damn sure better than what we’ve had.

 

[muggmeister]

Best draft pick since Kupp! Loving' it...

 

[ottoman89]

I fucking love this dude


View: https://youtu.be/KW4zYfn9GH8

 

[kurtfaulk]

.

i think this will be very helpful for noteboom. when he just worries about what he has to do he's very good. last year he had rubbish next to him and may have been a little distracted about what was going on next to him.

this might be the year of joe.

.

 

[TexasRam]

Totally stoked about this pick. Not only because we potentially get a potential star at guard but also because it increases our depth.

Noteboom and Allen have both had down seasons but also solid seasons when healthy. We are talking 80+ PFF rating seasons. So I start there. First shot would be:

LT Boom, LG Avila C Allen RG Bruss RT Havenstein

That gives us solid depth guys in Jackson, Shelton and Anchrum. Jackson can be a swing tackle or take the starter job from Bruss if he can't cut it. Shelton can backup Allen and or provide guard depth.

I feel much better about 2023 with the Avila pick, assuming he comes in and kicks ass as a rookie. Our defense will probably still be shit but we should be able to put some points up and compete a bit.

 

[oldnotdead]

Snead finally pulled the trigger and took the best IOL player in the draft. Suddenly the entire offense looks different. This could be a very good OL. I have no doubt that Allen and Havenstein won't be on the team in 2024 and probably Shelton won't either.

LT Noteboom
LG McClendon
C Avila
RG Bruss
RT Jackson

Gameday reserves OT/OG Thomas, OG/C Sean Maginn, C/OG Mike McAllister, C/OG Shelton

Now that's looks like a very good OL. Maybe Stafford could make it through the 2024 season. I have no doubt that keeping Stafford healthy was a major consideration in making the OL moves.

Maginn has a shot at making the roster as a starting LG because he's a road grader. Here's the writeup on him from Wake Forest Football that said over the season Maginn graded out 88% with 9 pancakes. NFL Draft publication "This player was the only Freshman to see playing time on the offensive line and has been a perennial starter his entire collegiate career. He is durable, playing 1,186 snaps in 2021. He has played 34 games and logged in time as a guard and center. This checks off any draft board to have free agents that can come in and play multiple positions."

Maginn and McAllister look to push Shelton off the roster next year. This year the Rams got serious about their OL.

 

[Loyal]

Avila has LT skills who is also a fantastic LG. He has quick footwork, fluid hips and has a powerful base. He can lock down and rag doll a nose guard( or 3 Tech) in college and I hope he will do the same in the NFL. He has faced the best college DLines and was a winner. I think Jackson is better than Noteboom and will start at LT this year. Havenstein will be our RT and hopefully Bruss will be our RG, if he can stay healthy. Allen is the weak link to me, but he's who we have right now. I think we could have a very good Oline this year, which will allow Stafford and Cam to be better versions of themselves
Jackson-Avila-Allen-Bruss-Havenstein.

 

[nighttrain]

Totally stoked about this pick. Not only because we potentially get a potential star at guard but also because it increases our depth.

Noteboom and Allen have both had down seasons but also solid seasons when healthy. We are talking 80+ PFF rating seasons. So I start there. First shot would be:

LT Boom, LG Avila C Allen RG Bruss RT Havenstein

That gives us solid depth guys in Jackson, Shelton and Anchrum. Jackson can be a swing tackle or take the starter job from Bruss if he can't cut it. Shelton can backup Allen and or provide guard depth.

I feel much better about 2023 with the Avila pick, assuming he comes in and kicks ass as a rookie. Our defense will probably still be shit but we should be able to put some points up and compete a bit.

Jackson just might take the starting left tackle job from Boom
train

 

[12intheBox]

Boom
Avila
Allen
Shelton
Hav

That’s my best guess for the opening O Line

If Bruss, AJ, or others can push for starting spots, all the better.

 

[Allen2McVay]

Boom
Avila
Allen
Shelton
Hav

That’s my best guess for the opening O Line

If Bruss, AJ, or others can push for starting spots, all the better.

Hoping Bruss can start at RG, with Shelton replacing Allen at Center; and LT an open competition between Noteboom and Jackson.

Mostly, just hoping for good health.

 

[Kupped]

If Avila is as good as advertised, I'm excited. He should be a day one starter and there will be decent depth this year, imo.
This is my best case scenario for the OL

Jackson
Avila
Allen/Shelton
Bruss
Havenstein

Boom is the backup LT.. Anchrum/Shelton are the backup interior guys.. and there will be a fight for the 8th and 9th spots.

Jourdan thinks Avila is a future Center.. that'll be fun having a guy like that there... who knows, maybe he wins it in camp and Anchrum or someone else wins the other guard spot.

Either way... with Akers finishing like he did last year and the addition of Evans.. I expect the best Rams run game in years in 23.

 

[Londoner]

Boom
Avila
Allen
Bruss
Havenstein

Jackson swing tackle; Shelton G/C; McClendon RT/G.

Then it depends on whether or not we keep a ninth lineman.