Rams’ Surprising Decision Looms Large for Young 2-Time Champion

The Los Angeles Rams signed offensive tackle D.J. Humphries in free agency, signing the former Arizona Cardinal amid prior interest from the San Francisco 49ers. It is viewed as an upgrade for the Rams, but 2024 draft pick Warren McClendon Jr. may say otherwise.

McClendon, the No. 174 overall pick of the 2023 draft, has appeared in 19 games over his first two NFL seasons. He logged five starts in 13 appearances in 2024.

With Humphries and fellow free agent pickup David Quessenberry, though, the Rams are deep.

“Over the past two weeks, the Rams have signed two experienced tackles in David Quessenberry and DJ Humphries,” Turf Show Times’ Blaine Grisak posted on X on June 12. “They needed one, but still odd.

“Could be an indication on what they think about Warren McClendon. Would’ve thought that swing tackle spot would’ve been his role.”

The Rams are set with Alaric Jackson on the left side and Rob Havenstein on the right, and Huphries is a former Pro Bowler, who has started all 100 of the games he has played in and has experience on both sides.

That latter note figures to give him a leg up on the swing tackle role.

However, McClendon losing out on the swing tackle role does not have to spell the end of his time with the Rams.

Warren McClendon Could Be In Line for Position Change

Quessenberry has logged 30 starts in 84 career appearances, giving him an edge in experience over McClendon in the battle to be the Rams’ fourth offensive tackle. Where McClendon could have a future with the Rams is at guard.

The Rams have starters Kevin Dotson and Steve Avila.

However, they are light on proven depth, with center Beau Limmer a possibility after the return of Coleman Shelton in free agency, and 2024 undrafted free agent Justin Dedich showing well.

Reserve Dylan McMahon could also receive a look during training camp if the Rams stand pat at the position until then, which would also benefit McClendon. He has experience at center, but is projected to have multi-positional versatility coming out of college.

McClendon was a two-time national champion and three-year starter at Georgia.

“His intangibles … are countered by a lack of ideal size, length and athleticism as either a tackle or a guard,” NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein wrote before the draft in 2023. “McClendon needs to get stronger and will always have issues finding success too far away from home base, but he works to the whistle and has enough pass protection savvy for multi-positional consideration as a backup.”

That versatility could save McClendon’s roster spot with the Rams, so long as he shows marked improvement in key areas during training camp later this summer.

Warren McClendon’s 2024 Season Mixed

Working for McClendon, he graded out highly among the Rams’ offensive linemen in 2024. He earned the fourth-highest pass-blocking grade among returning members of the group, per Pro Football Focus. But that translated to a sub-par 51.5 mark.

He was much better blocking up the run, earning a 69.9 mark. That was good enough for fifth among the Rams’ returning OL. Rams head coach Sean McVay spoke highly of McClendon.

McClendon had the fifth-best overall grade among the Rams’ 2024 holdovers.