6 hours Ago By Ryan Cook
With Matthew Stafford announcing his intention to play another year on Thursday (although it remains to be seen if he remains in Los Angeles), the Rams can finally get back to business in preparation for the NFL Draft. The offensive line has been a talking point since the Rams’ offseason began following the Divisional Round loss to Philadelphia, one that saw Stafford sacked five times in the snow. Protection issues cost the Rams wins over Arizona and Miami earlier in the regular season, and with the 26th pick in April’s draft, it’s widely believed Sean McVay and General Manager Les Snead will look to spend their first-round selection on providing help in the trenches.
Among this year’s standout offensive linemen, Oregon tackle Josh Conerly continues to draw interest among protection-needy teams, even after being embarrassed by rising pass rush prospect Mike Green in a one-on-one drill. I have watched Mike Green run through Josh Conerly 100 times pic.twitter.
com/iaZK56hDen Regardless, Conerly is considered the third-best offensive line prospect behind Ohio State’s Josh Simmons and LSU’s versatile tackle/guard Will Campbell, meaning there’s every chance he falls right in Los Angeles’ lap on the first day of the draft. In a recent mock , The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr and NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah all selected Conerly with the 26th overall pick, Brugler writing: “Listed at 6-foot-4 and 315 pounds on his school bio, Conerly was a two-year started for the Ducks who didn't allow a pressure in 10 of Oregon's final 12 games, according to Pro Football Focus.” Having given up only two sacks across three seasons with the Ducks, Conerly is known for his quick movement at the line, which could immediately help to sure up any gaps in front of Stafford, who continues to play at a high level – should the Rams choose to run it back with the veteran signal-caller.
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