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#2 Los Angeles Rams
Offense: LT Andrew Whitworth, LG Rodger Saffold, C John Sullivan, RG Jamon Brown, RT Rob Havenstein; Bench – Joseph Noteboom, Austin Blythe & Brian Allen
Defense: LE Michael Brockers, DT Ndamokung Suh, RE Aaron Donald; Bench – Ethan Westbrooks, Morgan Fox & Tanzel Smart
Nobody would have thought the Rams would be here a year ago. In 2016, they fielded one of the worst offensive lines in the league and Aaron Donald was basically a one-man show for them. Oh, how things have changed.
The acquisition of Andrew Whitworth last offseason completely turned around the “Big Uglies”. He gave them a stable presence at left tackle and Rob Havenstein stepped up on the opposite end, with the Rams being able to help him out some more.
Roger Saffold had his best season as a pro yet, finishing as the seventh-highest graded guard in PFF’s rating. Center John Sullivan is the second veteran on this unit above 30 and he has helped bring the front together.
Jamon Brown is the one piece that has had his ups and downs with quick interior pass rushers, but as a run-blocker, he has come into his own. Together, they paved the way for Offensive Player of the Year Todd Gurley, who racked up an average of 1.9 yards before contact, and kept Jared Goff clean in a bounce-back sophomore campaign.
So you have the reigning Defensive Player of the Year in Aaron Donald and you add a former second overall pick in Ndamokung Suh. That already spells trouble. Then you add Michael Brockers to the mix and you have the potential to dominate up front.
I had Brockers and Donald as the premiere duo of interior D-linemen on a list at the end of last season already. Now they added a potential monster if Suh is locked in. I have been critical of him after having a few seasons where he didn’t seem to be internally motivated, but he has shown over the course of his career that he can take over some games.
I believe Donald is clearly the best overall defensive player in the league and even though he is a natural fit a 3-technique in a 4-3, Wade Phillips knows how to put his players into position to succeed no matter the base front. That’s why I have no doubt this pairing will work, as long as they get some pressure off the edge and I don’t see how offenses can really double any of these guys.
