It's no secret that the Los Angeles Rams offensive line struggled last season, as they allowed the third-most sacks in the NFL (59). This was heavily due to left tackle Joe Noteboom being sidelined with an Achilles injury just six games in, leaving only then-second-year backup Alaric Jackson to take his place.
The Rams selected left guard Steve Avila in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft hoping he'd be a catalyst in fixing the issues up front.
Noteboom, who was still recovering from the injury, had another setback this past week that could continue to keep him away from the gridiron.
But according to Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, Jackson and Avila have both stood out during the offseason in replacing Noteboom and leading the front five.
“I thought they got better as the (preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders) went on," LaFleur said Monday. "They got settled in. It (was) Steve's second game ever...and Alaric hasn't played a ton of football in his career, as he's still a young man as well. I thought they both got better."
LaFleur, who was hired by the Rams in January, explained that Jackson and Avila specifically played well on pass protection snaps—the offensive line's main weakness last season.
"Steve had one (snap) working off of a defensive end (that made) a little spin move. Alaric (helped out) and Steve put that guy on the ground and (they both) enjoyed it," LaFleur said. "It's good for those guys to get the reps together and that showed as the game went on.”
Until Noteboom is healthy, Jackson will be the starting left tackle and Avila has all but cemented his place as the leading left guard. The offensive line should only continue to improve when these two are taking the same snaps on Sundays.
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