Rams Guard Duo Ranks Third Best in NFL

Why the Rams’ Guard Pairing Stands Out

The 2025 Rams offensive line is the strongest group the franchise has fielded since their Super Bowl LVI championship. Unlike most NFL teams that splash cash on marquee contracts or high draft picks, Los Angeles has hunted for overlooked talent, building a cohesive unit that maximizes each player’s strengths. This approach has paid off, as Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame placed Steve Avila and Kevin Dotson third on his guard‑duo leaderboard. The Rams now boast a front‑line that many analysts believe could carry them deep into the postseason.

Key Players Behind the Success

Steve Avila was a second‑round gem in the 2023 draft, originally slated at center before shifting to guard after Jonah Jackson’s trade to Chicago. Over three seasons he has started 40 games, allowing just two sacks and six quarterback hits last year—a remarkable durability mark. Kevin Dotson arrived via a trade from Pittsburgh before the 2023 season, going from a middling role to an anchor in front of MVP quarterback Matthew Stafford. In 45 games with the Rams he has become a cornerstone of the interior attack.

Both Avila and Dotson are slated to hit free agency at season’s end, joining veteran linemen Coleman Shelton and Warren McClendon Jr. on the market. Their performance has sparked speculation that Los Angeles will need to retain at least one of them to preserve the current synergy. The financial stakes are high, with Dotson, now 29, widely expected to command a substantial payday.

Impact on the Team’s Super Bowl Hopes

Verderame’s assessment reads like a blueprint for championship contention: “The Rams are the overwhelming favorite to not only reach but win the Super Bowl, and the power on their offensive interior is one reason why.” Their ability to protect Stafford while opening lanes for the running game creates a balanced attack that opponents struggle to contain. The guard unit’s stability also frees the coaching staff to experiment with play‑calling without worrying about line breakdowns. As the postseason approaches, the interior potency is quickly becoming a defining factor in lottery tickets for the Rams.

Former Rams guard Jonah Jackson’s recent partnership with Joe Thuney in Chicago landed a No. 2 spot on the same SI list, underscoring the Rams’ talent‑scouting knack for interior linemen. This ripple effect illustrates how the front office’s strategic picks can elevate not just their own roster but set a higher bar for the entire league. The contrast between the Rams’ model and the typical high‑priced free‑agent spree highlights a new blueprint for building a championship line.

Future Outlook and Free Agent Considerations

With four proven interior linemen set to become unrestricted, the Rams will need to navigate salary‑cap constraints while preserving the chemistry that has turned them into a top‑three guard duo. Retaining Avila or Dotson—preferably both—could lock in the current success, but the team must balance that against other roster needs. The market value of these players suggests a bidding war could drive costs beyond what the Rams traditionally spend, forcing the front office to weigh short‑term dominance against long‑term flexibility. How the Rams answer this question will shape not only their championship trajectory but also the emerging trend of value‑based offensive‑line construction across the NFL.