It’s welcome news for the Los Angeles Rams that they’ve seemed to found great value with their fourth of four sixth round picks in interior offensive lineman Beaux Limmer.
How has Limmer performed in the preseason so far?
Limmer, a former Arkansas Razorback, has been a standout performer in his first two preseason games against the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Chargers. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), the rookie has played 94 offensive snaps and hasn’t allowed a single pressure on 53 pass blocking snaps. Limmer is in the “great” tier for pass blocking grade overall at 85.9, and his run blocking has been good at 77.9. If there’s one downside to his play so far, it’s that he’s been credited with two penalties so far earlier in his career. One that comes to mind was against Dallas where nearly all the other linemen moved but Limmer didn’t hike the ball—resulting in a false start or illegal snap.
A difficult path to playing time
The Rams have heavily invested along the offensive interior over the last two offseasons. In the 2023 NFL Draft, the team selected Steve Avila from TCU. Avila started last season at left guard but plans to start at center for 2024. This move was, in part, triggered by Los Angeles signing two guards to large free agency deals: re-signing Kevin Dotson following his acquisition from the Pittsburgh Steelers and inking Jonah Jackson from the Detroit Lions.
You’d think that after sinking such heavy deals into Jackson and Dotson that the guard positions are locked in for the Rams for at least the next two seasons, maybe a third. Avila will be on his rookie contract for three more seasons whether he plays at center or guard.
It’s difficult to see the Rams play Limmer over a costly free agent signing, though injuries do happen and cause plans to change quickly.
A potential mix-up along the offensive interior
Adam Grosbard of the Orange County Register reported that in the Rams’ Tuesday practice, Avila was working with the first-string offense at his former position—left guard—while Limmer replaced him at center.
After a clean performance through the team’s first two preseason games, rookie Beaux Limmer worked with the first-team offense on Tuesday.
The Rams are still short three starting linemen. Left guard Jonah Jackson (shoulder) has returned to some individual drills and field work, while tackles Alaric Jackson (ankle) and Rob Havenstein (ankle) are still being held out.
This has led the Rams to do some cross training during practices, such as backup tackles Joe Noteboom and Warren McClendon Jr. switching sides of the line. On Tuesday, starting center Steve Avila was back practicing at his former position, left guard, while Limmer worked as the first-team center.
Reading the tea leaves it would seem that Jonah Jackson is one of the safer bets to return to full health and practice participation before the team opens their season in Detroit. Tackles Alaric Jackson and Rob Havenstein seem further away from returning, and Joe Noteboom should slot in behind Jackson at left tackle while second-year player Warren McClendon has been filling in for Havenstein on the right side.
Are the Rams simply experimenting with Avila’s flexibility and attempting to give Limmer more opportunities, or is it possible that the team is considering adjusting their plan for the starting offensive line less than three weeks away from their season opener?
Maybe the bigger takeaway is that it’s time to worry about the health of LA’s bookend tackles in Alaric Jackson and Havenstein.
