Telling you man, Humphries is our best bet at the moment... things could easily change, but RIGHT NOW he's our best shot at a quick fix IMO

Rest him up, give him a full camp and preseason then ride with him at LT for two years while Suamataia refines his game... thats honestly the ideal scenario in my book

Again, why? Please someone explain this to me. He can't stay healthy. At all. Why would you sign someone that injury prone as a bridge and risk putting yourself in the exact same position.

Because every time you get an answer to this, you blow it off and don't have an alternative to offer.

I'm guessing you're in the 'trade whatever it takes for a top 10 LT' camp, but those guys bust more than half the time in their own right. And even the ones that don't are rarely any good in their rookie year.

Moreover, this just isn't a good class for OT. Yeah, Alts happen, but there ain't an Alt in this class.

Nobody loves the option, but we just don't have a shitload of 'em out there. Maybe it's Idaho's guy Noteboom -- okay, wouldn't hate that either. But he's not an obviously better option than Humphries is; you're trading ceiling for floor there. Which everyone is going to happy to do right this very minute, but they'll be all sorts of pissed off about it come October when Noteboom proves to be as 'meh' as his entire career says he is.

Okay...ONE person loves the option...

Sorry, Easy -- I won't put 'ideal' anywhere near what we're looking at for the LT position next season.

But it's probably the least risk (given his probable contract demands) with a surprisingly high amount of upside.

Ultimately I think the major mistake was how ambivalent we seemed to be towards upgrading the position at the trade deadline. Just seems like that was the time to have been more aggressive than we were.

His latest injury was caused by us rushing him straight into late season game action from the trainers table... he literally got off the couch after medically clearing a serious injury and was immediately forced to play

WTF was everyone expecting after a desperation move like that?

Barring a miracle its basically between him and Suamataia, unless you intend to wildly overpay for mediocrity or wanna burn a first on a lottery ticket Hail Mary rookie

Dude is worth another look with a full offseason in the program, I'm dying on this hill if need be

What's your backup if he's just not sound, Easy?

I mean I think it's gotta be Morris with Kingsley having a chance to break into the mix.

So if you're willing to trade the floor of someone like Noteboom for the ceiling of Humphries - are you willing to go into the post-season with Morris at LT?

Because I think that's the question you have to answer before you sign off on Humphries. I say he's low risk because I don't think he'll be terribly expensive, but IF you sign him, you have to do so with an understanding that he hasn't shown a great deal in awhile now and OL age pretty quickly.

If you're not comfortable with Morris at LT (because I don't think you can count on Kingsley at this point) then I don't think you can sign Humphries to be your starter.

Yeah there's not really a great option unfortunately and a big IF he stays healthy well then you might actually have a pretty decent LT. I dont mind Robinson but as you said for the price not sure it's worth it. Plus is Veach going to be willing to commit to more than 2 years to Robinson? Traditionally that hasn't been the case with him and LTs that's why I could see a twam getting him over us by offering more years.

The more I think about it Humphries with Kingsley backing him up and hoping he develops might be the best out of alot of bad options.

6 out of 9 seasons he's missed games due to injury. That's who he is and bringing him in as anything other than vet min camp fodder should be a complete non starter.

Oh. That's the disconnect. You see Morris as viable still. To me it looks like they've written him off completely. Guess we'll see how it goes in camp.

The only guy you can honestly call 'above average' that will be available in free agency (MAYBE) is Ronnie Stanley. More than likely, he'll stay in Baltimore, where he's been his whole career, with a contender and a team that fits his skillset perfectly.

You'd have to WOW him with an offer.

There's literally not a single plus player LT anywhere else that's worth the money.

Those of you in the 'trade whatever you have to to draft a sure thing' camp-there's no such thing ever really, and especially not in THIS draft. So, you're trading multiple ones plus more early picks on a CHANCE that a guy works out EVENTUALLY. And they'll probably get beat like a drum in year one.

You really want to give up two #1's and the high #3 we got for Sneed for a one in four chance a guy ends up being a meh LT? Because that's the reality.

If there is another OBJ type move on the market to be made, this is probably a great time to make it.

Give up our 1st to get a little something back and a younger veteran LT who's proven himself capable? Done. Only this time I get the new contract signed ASAP.

I just have no earthly idea who that might actually be.

The kind of OTs likely to be moved this year are guys like Neal and Penning who are all pedigree, no performance.

Or maybe Terron Armstead? Not young at all, but could be available and might only cost a 3rd rounder. He has 2 years at really reasonable figures left on his deal. He's awfully steady as a pass protector and at 33 isn't old for an OT.

Armstead might be my preferrred target at this point. Would buy us a couple of seasons to really attack that OT position with a long-term plan/goal in mind. I wouldn't be super eager to give up my 2nd for him, but we might have to. If I could give up a 2 and get a 3rd day pick back, I think we'd have to seriously consider it given that we have that extra Titans pick.

I'm not sure if I do or not.

I've said before, I don't love him at LT. Heavy feet -- plays more like an OG.

I badly wanted to see Kingsley pass him on the depth chart. But in the end, for 6-8 weeks, Morris did an adequate job at the position and he started to falter right around the time he got that knee injury.

I think his ceiling is average, but we have to have SOMETHING at the position.

So again, whats your answer?

I think I've directly posed the question to you in this very thread 3-4 times now. You have to have someone you WANT at the position rather than just talking about all the things you don't. So go on record. If it's a trade up, how far are you willing to go, at what cost and for who?

You continue to shit on people with ideas while offering none of your own. It's tiresome.

Its ideal because they're already here on cheap contracts, and they've both been in the system for a season, or in Humphries case half a season

People can all say what they want, the hot takes are flying fast and furious today... and this one is my contribution

To hell with overpaying for mediocre outsiders, lets believe in and coach up the people we bring in, instead of chasing the next overpaid quick fix

If I had my way we'd try to switch Taylor over and the conversation would be about finding a RT instead, which is relatively easier especially since I think Morris actually looks decently competent there instead. But they've obviously scrapped that idea a long time ago so gun to my head they'll either sign Cam Robinson to a deal we'll all be sour about to varying degrees or trade up for Simmons if he slides far enough. Maybe even both.

Funny I was looking at this earlier. Penning great athlete but not a good football player. Neal is meh to me. I would love Armstead wonder what the chances are Miami would be interested in trading him?

I think Armstead for our 2 is the direction I'm leaning. Obviously less if we can manage it.

But I think that's an okay balance of immediate contribution and long term capital surrendered along with a fairly high floor and ceiling.

Anyone like Alaric Jackson if he hits free agency? And do you think the Rams pay him?

A little bit about him if you aren’t familiar:

https://www.therams.com/news/free-ag...at-left-tackle

Rams won't let him go. Be on him like flies to shit if he hits the open market.

Why wouldn’t they extend him in season?

If I’m him, I might see how much I can get on the market. Especially after watching that Super Bowl.

They'll tag him.

22 pressures surrendered all season. If the Rams let him test the open market you absolutely have to sign him. A 26 year old LT that's had year to year improvement would be an absolute coup and opens the draft for BPA everywhere.

Bruh. 1 pressure on 50 Stafford drop backs against the Eagles.

Seems insane that they haven’t already resigned him. That gives me hope they may not value him as much as the rest of the league would. Take a look at the Rams o-line, I haven’t heard of any of them, which means they are very good at drafting and developing these guys.

Also, they had Noteboom originally penned to take over at LT, Jackson only got a shot due to injury. So, if they are looking to save money they might pivot back to him instead.

Probably wishful thinking, but if this dude does hit free agency Clark better offer him the key to one of his damn mansions to come here.

It'd be malfeasance not to. That's one of the very few circumstances where I'd hope Veach reverts back to his early days to hit the bid button until he wins. It would solve so many issues.

Blood flow.

why we even still talking about a bum that couldn't even get on the field when there are literally no left tackles on the team?

I’m no cap expert but I did some looking around at various Rams projections.

They all say they doubt the Rams tag him.

I can’t believe they didn’t extend him in season when Jackson has a reason to negotiate with them. Risk of injury, falling off in play, etc. all reasons for Jackson to get a deal done.

Now though? Shit. See what Veach will pay.

Trade Offer -

I get Humphries for 2 years at LT

You get Wanya at RT for 5 years

Absolutely, you’re playing Madden on this one. You just keep upping the offer until he goddamn signs, I don’t care what it takes.

All the articles I can find on him seem to predate the amazing playoff performances, but at that time it seemed like nobody was sure if they would tag him. I just can’t see how they would ever let him slip away, but stranger things have happened.

That’s what I’ve been seeing as well, but this could also be the reason they’re trying to move off Cupp is to afford Jackson. Either way, it doesn’t seem like it’s a done deal by any stretch.

Everyone keep hoping, praying, talking to your spirt guide, whatever the hell it is you do to keep your faith in life, use it to will Jackson into free agency. :)

How many posts is this going to take?

I will not goddamn stop until his gigantic pen hits a contract with a Kansas City football Chiefs logo on it. That would be him agreeing to play left tackle for us, just to clarify for those who don’t understand how contracts work. I want him to play for the Chiefs is the general theme I’m trying to get across here.

LFG!

Okay now let’s ****!!

Alaric Jackson isn’t going to make it to FA. The Rams are not dumb. They know they can’t let him walk.

I’ve resigned myself to the reality that it’s probably gonna be Cam Robinson bc he played in our offense in Jacksonville. Also wouldn’t be surprised to see Doug added to the staff I some capacity.

Idk what Cam Robinson’s grade is vs pressure anyway but based on what I’ve seen, Sam Darnold did him zero favors holding holding the ball forever

Don't think it's likely at all, but it actually isn't as simple as a tag. They may have misplayed it to the point he at least gets to hear offers on the market, in which case Veach absolutely needs to get a deal done

Preface this by saying I don’t know much about the guy. I only know people were enraged during the Vikings meltdown games bc Darnold apparently held the ball forever.

This was this season. We wouldn’t take this? Really?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Every True Pass Set from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Vikings?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Vikings</a> new LT Cam Robinson VS best Edge Rushers he&#39;s faced in 2024 <br>-33 Reps<br>-Danielle Hunter 0 Pressures<br>-Will Anderson Jr. 1 Pressure<br>-Myles Garrett 3 Pressures / 1 Strip Sack<br>-Greg Rousseau 3 Pressures<br>Vikings are fortunate to find a legit starter at… <a href="https://t.co/lxZwLXhKTC">pic.twitter.com/lxZwLXhKTC</a></p>&mdash; NFL Shock (@NFLShock) <a href="https://twitter.com/NFLShock/status/1851504335319888238?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 30, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Cam Robinson among OTs over the past two weeks:<br><br>�� 88.4 pass-blocking grade (3rd)<br>�� 69 pass-blocking snaps<br>�� 0 pressures allowed <a href="https://t.co/wZraH2en3D">pic.twitter.com/wZraH2en3D</a></p>&mdash; PFF JAX Jaguars (@PFF_Jaguars) <a href="https://twitter.com/PFF_Jaguars/status/1844455643232567413?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 10, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Newest Viking Cam Robinson in his last three full games (Weeks 4-6):<br><br>�� 87.4 pass-blocking grade (3rd among OTs)<br>�� 112 pass-blocking snaps<br>�� 2 pressures allowed <a href="https://t.co/0yguO01jfF">pic.twitter.com/0yguO01jfF</a></p>&mdash; PFF MIN Vikings (@PFF_Vikings) <a href="https://twitter.com/PFF_Vikings/status/1851627777729978512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 30, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Seemed to be just fine in Jacksonville, no? Hered the awful game vs the Rams. Had some bad reps but he actually looks decent to me. I don’t see a lot of losses here?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Rewatching the Sacks and Interception from Sam Darnold Last Night...<br>About 40% of it was a great gameplan design both in coverage and using blitzes/stunts up front from the Rams Defense<br>40% Was Sam Darnold being panicky<br>20% Was Some poor play design/Vikings weapon failure to get… <a href="https://t.co/phMYscELLv">pic.twitter.com/phMYscELLv</a></p>&mdash; DMac Wake (@DMacWake316) <a href="https://twitter.com/DMacWake316/status/1879181816495542357?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

How could Jackson’s agent watch that Super Bowl and not use it to at least bend the Rams over?

Knowing how hard the Chiefs pursued Trent Williams with THAT shit show fresh in their minds.

Man, last night seems bad for the Rams. Especially, when you essentially have a side by side comparison with Jackson vs the Eagles so recently.

While masteba..uh…reading articles about Jackson, I found this projection:

“Pro Football Focus is projecting the 26-year-old to land a four-year, $58 million contract.”

LMAO yeah, uhhh that number got a little higher last night.

So, here’s my thing.

In the absence of a sure bet, your best bet is to make many bets.

If the Chiefs get the chance to bet big on Alaric’s Jackson or Ronnie Stanley, sure, go bet big on one of those dudes.

If they don’t? Spread it around. Options abound. Sign a vet. Revisit in-house options with another year under their belts. Scout the draft. See if you can find a Canadian FL or rugby convert. Etc.

That in mind, Humphries back on a small deal wouldn’t be a bad shot, depending on the size of the deal. And it might explain the approach with him this season.

Yes.

But I don't think for a minute he'll hit the market.

I’m going to will it into existence

Please do.

He'd be immediately at the top of my options list.

But I will again remind folks that we COULD build our own Jackson by just drafting traits and being patient. That's all the Rams did here.

yeah, I wasn't seeing him in the FA listings for some reason.

That would absolutely be my first choice. Still young enough to do a multi-year deal with and get on with our lives.

Sure.

But are we going to waste years of Mahomes' prime being patient?

I mean, we may not have a choice.

But if we do?

This is why I think they are gonna sign Cam Robinson even though I want to draft a LT in the first rd.

I don’t think they (Mahomes/Andy) want to do the Wanya/Kingsley growing pains thing again IMO.

I get it though. Kingsley/Wanya did a lot of damage to Patrick

My thinking on it is we're going to need an OT immediately and in a year or two when/if Taylor moves on. So Alaric Jackson tides you over for now and all of a sudden it leaves the RT position in a really good spot with Taylor to bridge it while you see what you have between Morris and Suamataia with the pressure of starting immediately off the table. Maybe one is more suited to replace Thuney/Smith, who knows, but at the very least you've bought yourself time and opened up a plethora of options in house.

Edit: 'tide over' was worded poorly. Ideally Jackson is a guy you plug and play at LT for seasons to come.

Gotta think If any of those big name tackles hit the market theres probably a handful of twams that would have the ability to outbid us no?

Keep drinking the kool aid with me.

We’re going to make it happen.

My family left me years ago. I’m not leaving the Best Buy parking lot any time soon.

IMO, this is spot on.

It's certainly not ideal but for where this team is it makes the most sense that's actually a realistic possibility. I have a really hard time believing the Rams are letting him walk unless Stafford is imminently retiring and they're planning a massive rebuild in response.

I'm curious DJ what gives you possible hope with Wayna at LT? I've seen you bring this up before. To me he statyed to look lost at the position. However seems to be a potentially good RT

Regardless of what they do pre draft I'd still like to see them move up and grab Simmons if he falls far enough that a trade up with 66 or 95+chaff is possible. You're not going to be able to get that type of talent that low in the draft very often.

Is Cam Robinson really that much of an improvement though compared to the money he’s going to get? I want a LT as much as anyone but damn, if that’s our best option that’s sad.

I asked it in the other thread, but I see Josh Simmons falling to 28 in some mocks.

If he really falls that far, do we take a stab at another early LT and roll the dice with Humphries as a stop gap?

Sure, but there's no ****in' way he falls that far.

Yes. Absolutely, regardless of if you sign Jackson or Robinson or Humphries or whoever. Only Humphrey has a lock on his position past the 2025 season. We absolutely need more talent in the room to backfill.

We can pray for a McDuffie like drop.

I think this guy lied about his physical condition because he wasn't at all ready to play.

Oh nothing to speak of.

Just that his baseline at the position both in 2023 and 2024 was fringe starter with occasional games where he just sucked.

But in consecutive seasons he played about 3/4 of his games at a tolerable level. Which is more than we've seen from Kingsley.

Then he won't get to trade up range.

Guys - teams aren't passing on premier talent at 'big ticket' positions like QB, OT or WR because of injury. Hell, they don't really do it at DL anymore.

If Simmons falls to the 20s it's because he was a 10-12 talent who got hurt. True blue chippers don't fall. If he does then he wasn't the sort of turnkey starting LT you're suggesting.

If the long-term medicals check out for premier guys at scarce positions, their injury penalty is de minimis.

Yes.

He's a good pass blocker. He'd be the best pass blocker we've had since Fisher, for sure. He compares to fisher in a lot of ways, in fact.

He'd be a MASSIVE upgrade at LT. But yeah, he'll be badly overpaid.

That's just the nature of FAs.

If we can move Patrick’s money around next year to get Robinson and then be able to afford him once Thuney’s off the books I’m pretty tempted to go that way. Eric Fisher sounds like a hell of an upgrade to what we’ve had and Patrick trusted Fish more than any other LT he played with.

And I think that’s exactly what we will do this offseason. They didn’t draft Nourzad and move Kingsley to G for nothing. One of those guys is probably gonna take over for Trey Smith.

I don’t think the growing pains stuff with a rookie LT is the only reason we will sign this kid and pay him. He’s easily the best LT that’s been available in FA since Trent Williams.

I think they also want to use these 3 draft picks to build the roster back instead of evaporating it to move up for a lottery ticket LT.

Not what I’m thinking but what I think they are thinking.

Looking at Cam Robinson's age and injury history. It doesn't look great. Turns 30 in October, which is the same age where everything fell apart with Eric Fisher. Robinson has these concerning injuries:

2018 - Blown ACL
2022 - Torn Meniscus
2023 - Another knee injury that cost him 4 games

If he's that good then they'll tag and trade unless they really need the tag for someone else.

Guess we've thrown in the towel on Kingsley. Obviously he isn't getting cut but that hurts and it's shocking bad he is. Seemed like a good pick.

He might be a more realistic target than Stanley, but I cannot see why he would be first choice over him. Stanley is a significantly better LT.

IF we're going to spend big bucks, I'd rather do it on Jackson due to age/ health.

Stanley is the more proven player, but older, and an injury history. That could blow up in your face.

Robinson is about a year younger than Stanley and also has an injury history. He is also a step down, I think. He may be a slightly better FIT for this offense overall.

All I know is this thread can die forever. If they’re planning on trotting this turd out there in 2025 with Kingsley as his backup, we won’t have much to talk about next year anyway.

Mahomes is 5x the QB when he has a good LT. It’s the #1 thing holding him back. I don’t want anymore stop gaps, I don’t want any more projects. Spend the goddamn money and get this man a real left tackle. Sick and tired of listening to excuses while Mahomes is neutered because we can’t ****ing block anyone.

Yeah, it'd be pretty hard not to check out at that point and just enjoy the game without getting invested. Especially considering Andy couldn't even be ****ing bothered to try him when Mahomes was getting his ass blasted every other drop back.

Ive been saying that since we signed Donovan Smith. Should have done this last year. It was the biggest concern going into the season, and it turned out to be the killer. Signing broke dick jags, drafting raw rookies, and moving players around playing them out of position with duct tape doesn't cut it.

You act like there were tons of options.

This is such a lame argunent b/c most anything would have been better. That's what I act like.

Yes, definitely no more Superbowls until we get the LT/RT situations figured out, Philly perfected the blueprint that has been out there for a few years to defend Mahomes, and crashing/pinching the weak line is part of it. We need an immediate answer at LT that is a far above average player who may be peak pro bowl at times. Pat will probably be back to his 40+ TD self when this happens and PPG will go up into the 30's as well. I blame Veach and Andy equally for the abomination line they presented in the Superbowl that was going to get Mahomes killed eventually. Pretty reckless management and coaching decisions if you ask me, especially for football experts making many tens of $ millions.

The irony. What a ****ing cop out bullshit answer you provided after this.

Provide some actual names or STFU you whiny ****ing bitch.

No, it's not a lame argument, it's reality.

Sometimes a situation is just crap, with no good choices.

It didn't work out.

Left Tackle is probably the second hardest position in football to fill. We don't draft nearly high enough to get one. Good ones don't come free very often and are wildly expensive when they do.

yes, and that falls on Veach...

Names.

From now on, this will be my answer to any post saying THEY SHOULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING

Name the ****ing names.

Some of you guys think real life is Madden.

Names.

Another butt****ing moron.

All I know is some of you need to open your eyes, start breathing again, and stop stomping your feet.

I KNOW you WANTS the new Left Tackle NOWS … but throwing fits about isn’t going to manifest it.

It’s easy to say “spend the money.” You can’t control who is available to spend the money on.

Maybe Robinson hits the market. Maybe Alaric Jackson does (the Rams don’t use the franchise tag, so it’s possible he’s out there). Maybe each of them is locked up before the window opens. I wouldn’t blink one bit if they made Jackson the new highest paid player at LT, because they can create the cap space, it’s worth doing, he’s young and good, and it’s better than helping a G reset the market when he’s good in pass protection but not dominant.

They will do … something.

I don’t love the idea of signing a veteran in the JAG tier to stop-gap it while they keep trying to develop a T based on traits. But that may end up being the best option available to them. And in that scenario, Humphries in his second year removed from his ACL tear might be a pretty good option.

I do believe they’re going to consider both upside and floor with whatever decision they make.

That probably means they aren’t going to blow through a bunch of draft capital to get a T in a pretty weak T draft … unless they’re lock-stock sold on that player.

And unless they see something no one else does, I have a hard time believing that T is in this draft, unless there’s a guy the Chiefs see something with… that most don’t.