With NFL free agency getting underway, the first order of business for the Los Angeles Rams has been addressing their offensive line.
The team was able to extend right guard Kevin Dotson on a three-year contract, bringing him back after a breakout 2023 season. Additionally, the Rams reportedly placed a restricted tender on left tackle Alaric Jackson, which likely signifies that he will also be back for the 2024 season.
The Rams weren’t done there though as according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, they are also signing former Detroit Lions guard Jonah Jackson to a three-year contract:
The #Rams have agreed to terms with G Jonah Jackson on a three-year, $51 million deal with $34 million guaranteed, sources say.
A big payday for Jackson, who will join the recently re-signed Kevin Dotson as L.A. pours big money into the middle of their offensive line. pic.twitter.com/iADLjj7a2Y
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 11, 2024
This is a nice payday for Jackson, who was a third-round pick of the Lions in 2020 out of Ohio State. In four seasons with the Lions, Jackson started 57 games and made one Pro Bowl.
The question for the Rams now is where everyone will play considering they have three Pro Bowl level guards on their roster and no centers. The team was hoping to bring back center Coleman Shelton but the addition of Jackson likely signifies that both parties are going in a different direction.
Jackson has mostly played left guard in his NFL career although he did play some center in college. The most likely scenario though is Avila moving over to center considering he played there in college as well.
Regardless of who moves over, the Rams should have one of the better offensive lines in football, particularly on the interior with Dotson, Avila and Jackson.
That will not only help keep Matthew Stafford upright and healthy, but it will also make the Rams a run-first team with Kyren Williams in line for another monster season in 2024.
Rams to potentially restructure Joseph Noteboom’s contract
As was the case last year, the odd man out on the Rams’ offensive line seems to be Joseph Noteboom, who signed a big deal to be the team’s left tackle after Andrew Whitworth retired.
According to reports though, the Rams are hoping to be able to restructure Noteboom’s contract in order to keep him on the roster. Noteboom has done a good job of moving positions to fill in for injured players over the years, which is a valuable player to have on your roster even if he is overpaid.
