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After recent signings on the offensive line, do Rams have faith in Warren McClendon?
Over the past three weeks of organized team activities, the Los Angeles Rams have signed not one, but two experienced depth tackles. During the first week of OTAs, the Rams signed David Quessenberry. On the Thursday of the final week of OTAs, the Rams brought in the experienced DJ Humphries.
Signing one player wasn’t surprising at the Rams needed tackle depth and Quessenberry brought experience. However, when the Rams added a second in Humphries, red flags were raised.
The reason for the Humphries signing ended up being because similar blood clots that Alaric Jackson dealt with in 2022 had returned. With that said, it’s very possible that Jackson misses time. Last season, New England Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore was diagnosed with blood clots in July and wasn’t activated off of injured reserve until mid-November. Barmore was placed on IR a month later and missed the rest of the season. While Barmore plays on the defensive line, his situation shows how serious blood clot issues can be.
While the Rams needed experienced tackle depth, it is still odd that they added two players in this role. The Rams didn’t re-sign Joe Noteboom as his level was not sufficient after dealing with so many injuries. With Warren McClendon entering his third year and having experience at both left and right tackle, some may have expected him to fill this role.
The fact that the Rams signed both Quessenberry and Humphries could be an indication of how they view McClendon. This is a player that the Rams drafted in the fifth round in 2023 and is going into his third season.
McClendon got starting experience at both tackle spots. In Week 1, he played for the injurid Rob Havenstein before moving to the left side in Week 2 with Alaric Jackson and Noteboom out of the lineup. McClendon subbed in for Havenstein at right tackle once again in Weeks 11 and 12.
Again, signing one experienced tackle made sense as the Rams lacked tackle depth. It’s the fact that they signed two with McClendon on the roster that feels odd. It’s worth wondering whether McClendon hasn’t developed as the team would have expected at this point. McClendon may also be seen strictly as a right tackle whereas the Rams current issues on the offensive line come on the left side.
It’s worth noting in McClendon’s lone game on the left side last season, he gave up four pressures and three sacks against the Arizona Cardinals and edge rusher Dennis Gardeck. While McClendon was better on the right side against the Patriots in Week 11. However, that performance came against a pass rush that ranked 29th.
The following week against the Philadelphia Eagles, McClendon gave up three pressures and two sacks. He also allowed five pressures on the right side in Week 1 against the Detroit Lions.
Since Sean McVay took over as the head coach in 2017, the...
