The Los Angeles Rams have placed a second-round tender on starting left tackle and free agent Alaric Jackson at the start of the 2024 free agency window.
The second-round tender works in several ways for the Rams. First, it allows them the first right of refusal to match any offer that is given to Jackson by another team while still allowing him to negotiate freely with other teams. If another team gives Jackson a contract offer and the Rams do not match it, they are entitled to a second-round pick from the team that signs him.
This also puts a deadline on Jackson signing somewhere else, as he must agree to an offer sheet from another team by April 19. Given this deadline, if another team does wind up with Jackson, the Rams would receive a second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
A second-round tender means the Rams place significant value on Jackson and makes it very unlikely that he plays elsewhere next season. A team would have to be willing to both give up a second-round pick for Jackson and pay a price that the Rams either can’t afford or don’t want to pay.
Jackson was the starting left tackle for the Rams in 2023. He started in 15 games and was a major part of the team’s revamped offensive line that was among the better units in the NFL in the pass game. They allowed a sack rate of 5.5%, which was the seventh-lowest in the NFL.
Jackson was tied for first among all offensive tackles with at least 500 snaps in sacks allowed. Jackson only gave up one sack all season.
Rams discussing restructuring of Joseph Noteboom’s contract
The offensive line was the largest reason for the Rams’ improvement, with guards like Steve Avila and Kevin Dotson paving the way. With those two manning the guard spots, it left Joseph Noteboom as the odd man out of the o-line room.
Although Los Angeles has cap space to play with in free agency, there’s a possibility they look to restructure Noteboom’s contractahead of 2024 season.
With the recent addition of Jonah Jackson in free agency, there isn’t a starting spot for Noteboom on the Rams’ line in 2024 although they would love to keep him once again as their primary backup due to his versatility.
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