Niner Noise
FanSided

2020 NFL Draft: 32-team Round 1 mock after Week 4

By Peter Panacy

(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 2: Offensive lineman Tristan Wirfs #74 of the Iowa Hawkeyes before the match-up against the Wyoming Cowboys, on September 2, 2017 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 2: Offensive lineman Tristan Wirfs #74 of the Iowa Hawkeyes before the match-up against the Wyoming Cowboys, on September 2, 2017 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

2019 indicated the start of an effort by the Los Angeles Rams to overhaul their offensive line, getting both younger and cheaper at a number of positions up front, moving on from linemen like John Sullivan and Rodger Saffold.

One of the results has been head coach Sean McVay’s offense taking a bit of a hit. While it’s still prolific and dangerous, it’s predicated on a lot of effective movement up front. The play-action passes and bootlegs, in which quarterback Jared Goff has been so effective, only work if the running game is working well. And that running game only works if the offensive line is blocking well.

So far, the Rams offensive line is falling a bit short of the cut. Los Angeles’ offense isn’t steamrolling opponents quite like it was a year ago.

To address it, going with an excellent run-blocking lineman in Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs would be an excellent pickup towards the end of Round 1. Wirfs is savvy on his feet, moves well and could fit into the dynamic scheme McVay operates with relative ease.