3 options the Los Angeles Rams should consider on the offensive line surrounding the uncertainty of Alaric Jackson for the 2026 season.
This offseason, the Los Angeles Rams have added some elite players to this roster, like edge rusher Myles Garrett and cornerback Trent McDuffie, who could be the key to getting this team back to the Super Bowl.
However, off the field, offensive tackle Alaric Jackson has had legal trouble that may leave the Rams in a tough position when preparing for next season. With Matthew Stafford being more of a pocket passer and needing consistent protection, left tackle is a position that the Rams cannot afford to leave up to chance.
Here are three options for the Rams at offensive tackle in case Alaric Jackson is not ready for the start of the season.
3. Taylor Decker as a Swing Tackle
One of the better options in free agency at offensive tackle is Taylor Decker, who was released by the Detroit Lions earlier this offseason as a cap casualty.
Throughout Decker's career, he has proven to be one of the more consistent tackles in the NFL and has played in the NFC, which could help provide a smooth transition if he were to sign with Los Angeles.
During the 2025 season, Decker started 14 games and allowed just two sacks, which ranked 21st in the NFL among all offensive tackles. He also had an overall grade of 67.9, ranking 41st among all tackles according to PFF.
At this point in Decker's career, he is closer to being more of an average tackle, but with the stacked roster the Rams have, they do not need an elite player; they just need reliability and consistency, which are both traits that Decker possesses.
If the Rams do decide to move forward with Decker, he could be a reliable starting option at either tackle spot as a swing tackle and could also provide a great mentor and veteran presence for the offensive line.
2. Keagen Trost at Right Tackle
Another option for Los Angeles could require some shuffling and place rookie Keagen Trost at the right tackle position, where he played last season for the Missouri Tigers.
With Trost being a rookie and having no NFL experience just yet, it may not be the best idea to have him start at left tackle, which is one of the toughest positions to play in the NFL. Instead, it may be more optimal to start him at right tackle, where he has more familiarity.
With Missouri in 2025, Trost was very reliable, as he allowed six pressures and one sack in addition to having an overall grade of 92.4, which ranked first among all offensive tackles, and a pass-blocking grade of 85.4 that was the 11th best in the country, according to PFF. The ability to play consistently well in the SEC against some of the nation's top pass rushers is a great sign for Trost.
Should the Rams choose to start Trost, he may have some adapting to do in the NFL, but he could provide the stability that LA needs to make the Super Bowl run that this roster is capable of.
1. Warren McClendon Jr. at Left Tackle
The third option for the Rams at offensive tackle is Warren McClendon Jr., who is coming off his best season yet in the NFL.
If the Rams do want to use the players they already have on the roster for the left tackle position, McClendon seems like the best option to do so. Last season, McClendon recorded an overall PFF grade of 83.5, which ranked seventh among all tackles, in addition to allowing just one sack and 12 quarterback pressures.
While McClendon did play right tackle all of last season, his three years of NFL experience could help him to make the transition to left tackle and provide the protection that Stafford needs to continue putting the Rams in a position to have one of the most explosive passing attacks in the NFL.
If McClendon does prove he can perform at left tackle, that not only gives the Rams an offensive lineman who can protect Stafford's blindside, but also an offensive lineman who could prove to be one of the better tackles in the league on the right side and the left side.
