The Los Angeles Rams got their rookies on the field for the first time last week for Phase II of their offseason workouts, but things will ramp up in the near future. They’ll begin organized team activities (OTAs) on Monday, May 20, as they continue offseason workouts.
They’ll hold several different sessions between Monday and the end of OTAs on June 6, getting a look at both veterans and rookies on the field together. As always, there’s no shortage of storylines surrounding the Rams, from the top of the roster to the bottom.
Here are five to watch as OTAs get underway this week.
What will the offensive line look like?
Everyone knows Andrew Whitworth and Rob Havenstein will start at left and right tackle, respectively, but the other three spots have yet to be determined. Austin Blythe is likely to remain at right guard, but if Brian Allen really struggles at center, will the Rams consider sliding Blythe back to his original position?
At left guard, it might be Joseph Noteboom’s job to lose, but Bobby Evans can compete at that spot, as can David Edwards. The Rams have already said both rookies will work out at guard and tackle, so there will be a lot of experimenting this summer, beginning with OTAs.
How much will Todd Gurley participate, if at all?
OTAs are voluntary, so Gurley isn’t required to attend or participate. He’s been enjoying the offseason to the fullest with trips to the Bahamas and attending a Carolina Hurricanes playoff game, but he could return to L.A. for OTAs.
If he does, how much will he participate? With all the rumors swirling about his knee, there’s a good chance the Rams will want to work him in slowly. But if he comes out and is practicing at full speed, it’ll quiet a lot of the speculation.
Will Greg Gaines get the first crack at NT?
Les Snead and Sean McVay hinted at Gaines being the starting nose tackle in the team’s base 3-4 package, but he won’t just be handed the job. He’ll have to earn it, beating out Sebastian Joseph-Day and others.
It’ll be telling to see how the rotation works early on in OTAs with Gaines potentially getting the first crack at replacing Ndamukong Suh. It wouldn’t be at all surprising to see him between Aaron Donald and Michael Brockers in Week 1.
The Rams appear to have found their future nose tackle with Gaines, it’s just a matter of how quickly he can get up to speed and transition to the NFL game.
Who will replace Mark Barron?
The Rams decided to part ways with Barron to save cap space, but they were interested in bringing him back. That suggests they’re not entirely satisfied with their current linebacker unit. Micah Kiser will probably be the next man up, while Clay Matthews will also get some time inside.
The dynamic at that position will be something to watch as the Rams decide how much to play Matthews at inside and outside linebacker, as well as Kiser’s chances of being a full-time starter.
Dakota Allen and Bryce Hager might get reps at linebacker, too, but their primary roles will be on special teams.
What’s the status at TE?
The Rams have two starting-caliber tight ends in Gerald Everett and Tyler Higbee, but they’re rarely used in tandem. They were hardly ever on the field together last season, but with McVay indicating he wants to use different personnel packages more in 2019, that could change.
The biggest question heading into next season is which tight end will get the majority of the starting reps. Higbee was on the field more than Everett through most of the regular season, but in the playoffs, it was just the opposite.
This could be a breakout season for Everett if he can improve as a blocker and become a more well-rounded tight end.
