St. Louis Rams Roster Preview: Offensive Line

This is part four of a nine part series previewing each position on the St. Louis Rams in 2015. They will go as follows:

1 – QB

2 – RB/FB

3 – WR/TE

4 – OL

5 – DL

6 – LB

7 – CB

8 – SS/FS

9 – Special Teams

Part Four – Offensive Line

This will be a breakdown of each position on the offensive line. It will go center, guard, and tackle.

Centers currently on the Rams roster:

Tim Barnes

Barrett Jones

Demetrius Rhaney

David Wang

Tim Barnes – Barnes is the favorite to be the starter at center for the Rams. He has five years of experience and I believe he will beat out the other candidates. Not much else to say about him.

Tim Barnes in 2014. Photo by Mark Rebilas

Barrett Jones – I almost didn’t include Jones in this section, because in my opinion, he will start at right guard for the Rams. He showcased that he can play center while he was at Alabama but in the Rams offensive scheme, Jones will fit best at guard and that is where he will start in 2015.

Demetrius Rhaney – Rhaney was a seventh round pick in 2014 and he will be second in the depth chart under Tim Barnes. Rhaney is a quality backup who can jump right in if Barnes were unable to go.

David Wang – Wang was signed as an undrafted free agent this past spring and in case of injury to Barnes or Rhaney, Wang might be cut and then signed to the practice squad. Other than that, it’s hard to see him making the 53-man roster unless the Rams decide to keep a third center on the roster. Keep in mind that Barrett Jones is listed as a guard but has shown the ability to play center.

Guards currently on the Rams roster:

Travis Bond

Barrett Jones

Rodger Saffold

Brandon Washington

Cody Wichmann

Travis Bond – Bond spent training camp in 2014 with the Rams and with Saffold and Jones as the likely starters for the Rams, there will be only two other guards on the team and one of these five will be released. It’s hard to imagine the Rams cutting Cody Wichmann as they drafted him in the sixth round this past spring. Bond will be competing with Brandon Washington for the fourth guard spot on the 53-man roster.

Barrett Jones – Throughout his short NFL career, Jones has been battling several injuries and he is finally healthy as he’s been in his career (according to himself) and Jones will likely start at right guard.

Barrett Jones on the sideline battling an injury alongside injured QB Sam Bradford and Head Coach Jeff Fisher in 2014. Photo by Jasen Vinlove.

Rodger Saffold – Not much needs to be said here. Saffold is the most experienced guard in this bunch and will be the starter at left guard.

Saffold has been a staple for the Rams offensive line throughout the years.

Brandon Washington – Washington spent 2014 on the Rams’ practice squad and will be battling for a spot with Travis Bond either on the 53-man roster or practice squad.

Cody Wichmann – The Rams selected Wichmann in the sixth round of the 2015 NFL Draft and Wichmann will be learning behind Rodger Saffold and Barrett Jones and could see playing time near the end of the season. He will have to really work for clock though as the Rams are loaded with youth talent on the offensive line.

Tackles currently on the Rams roster:

Steven Baker

Jamon Brown

Andrew Donnal

Rob Havenstein

Garrett Reynolds

Greg Robinson

Darrell Williams

Steven Baker – Baker is massive, coming in at 6’8” 310 lbs. He spent 2014 on the Rams’ practice squad. But with the Rams having selected three offensive tackles in the 2015 NFL Draft, along with having second year tackle Greg Robinson, it’s tough to see Baker making the 53-man roster.

Jamon Brown – The Rams selected Brown in the third round of the draft this year. He comes in at 6’4” 323 lbs. Brown will most likely not be a starter come opening day, but should see significant playing time come mid and late season. He is listed as a tackle but lacks the size most teams want in their offensive tackle and Brown will likely be moved to guard.

Andrew Donnal – Donnal was picked by the Rams in the fourth round of this years draft; after the Rams had selected Jamon Brown in the round before. Donnal is listed as 6’6” 313 lbs. He will be in the mix with Brown in terms of rookie offensive linemen getting playing time. Look for Donnal to get some clock more toward the end of the season.

Rob Havenstein – Havenstein was selected in the second round of this past spring’s draft. He is huge, being 6’7” and 321 lbs. Havenstein started all 14 games in his senior year for Wisconsin and in all 14 games, Havenstein was never called for a holding penalty. Havenstein will most likely be the starter at right tackle for the Rams come opening day.

Rob Havenstein has a big chance of being the starting right tackle for the Rams this season. Photo by Jeff Curry.

Garrett Reynolds – Reynolds signed to the Rams as a free agent this past offseason. He isn’t going to be starter but will be considered a “swing tackle” so Reynolds will see lots of playing time at either tackle position whenever the starters need a rest or are injured. Reynolds is experienced, as he is headed into his seventh NFL season. He has spent time with the Atlanta Falcons and Detroit Lions.

Greg Robinson – The Rams spent their second overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft on Robinson and the following season he spent time at both left guard and left tackle. But with Rodger Saffold likely to be the starter at left guard, Robinson will start at left tackle.

Greg Robinson will have a big load on his shoulders in his second NFL season. Photo by the Associated Press.

Darrell Williams – Williams signed as an undrafted free agent this past spring. He played college football at South Florida. He is 6’5” 301 lbs. and will be battling for a roster spot in such a youthful offensive line group and will go at it with Steven Baker for a roster spot on either the 53-man roster or the practice squad.