Hindsight is definitely leaning to "we should've prioritized OL." But then that is most years with McVay. I can't recall a season that started out where I was happy about the OL. Only 2017/2018, because his scheme took the heat off the OL and he solved LT with Whit. But the OL was what led mostly to his offense coming up short in that Super Bowl. Patriots bullied that unit up front and we didn't have the QB or the pass game weapons to overcome it.
I will say that all OL have JAGs mixed in to greater or lesser extent. The GSoT had an elite LT and an elite RG with JAGs around them. 2021 title team had two plus tackles with a JAG interior. I think if you can get three plus starters or better on a line you're in business. If it's only two then they need to be real anchors. And from there the others can fall in step and get the job done.
But I agree that it is absurd to not prioritize the OL when you have an old QB. And the same applies to young QBs, who are best served by a strong OL and a defense that can limit their mistakes. Problem is that McVay is so good at masking weaknesses that he gets away with less than what other teams have, and he can overcome that to some extent. So it's a strength of course too. But I am really tired of watching this team face top units and wilting like a high school front.
Looking at the quality of the current front my key would be Elite, Plus Starter, Starter, JAG:
LT: Jackson
LG: Avila
C: Shelton
RG: Dotson
RT: Havenstein
OT depth: McClendon / Quessenberry
iOL depth: Dedich / Limmer
The starter quality is not too far off if they are healthy. But that's the rub I think. Rams knew Jackson had the blood clot issue. Avila not being able to stay healthy has been a problem, and also if he could string a long run of games together he could be a plus starter for them. I put him at starter level because in between his missed outings his game has suffered, to my eye at least. What we don't have is an elite lineman, and thus far this season the revolving door at OG has made Shelton's weaknesses visible because he can't be protected by JAGs.
So if health could happen for this OL then it is possible they reach that December form we are used to seeing from a Rams OL under McVay. Where Shelton is the weak link but is protected by good OGs and his calls allow them all to play on one sheet of music snap to snap. But whatever happens it sure would be nice to see a young stud pivot added in the draft, and a young OT with good feet on that depth chart too.