The right side of the L.A. Rams offensive line isn’t just bad, it’s the absolute worst pass protection duo in the entire league through three weeks. Matthew Stafford might as well be left-handed for all the good his right side is doing him right now, because those guys are a total liability out there. We’re talking about a disaster zone, and it’s putting the team’s quarterback in some serious danger.
Dotson’s Disaster Class
Kevin Dotson, the Rams’ right guard, has been the first name on everyone’s lips when talking about pass protection issues this season. Seriously, against the Broncos, some accounts say he had the worst performance of any Rams offensive player. There was this one play against Denver’s elite defensive tackle Zach Allen where Dotson practically evaporated. Allen just waved him away like a cloud of smoke and was immediately in Stafford’s face. It was brutal to watch. The data backs it up too: PFF says Dotson has allowed a pressure on over 8% of his pass blocking reps this season. And get this: a chart shows Dotson has the sixth-worst successful pass block rate among all guards in the NFL. PFF actually ranks him 66th out of 72 guards in pass protection overall. When free agency is on the horizon in 2027, you know this kind of film and data is what teams are going to be looking at, and right now, it ain’t pretty for Dotson. He needs to start stacking some positive games, and fast.
McClendon Joins the Club
Unfortunately, Dotson isn’t alone in this mess. Warren McClendon, the Rams’ right tackle, is right there with him. He’s ranked 57th out of 70 tackles in pass protection, putting him in the bottom-third for successful pass block reps. O-lines are a weak link system, where one mistake can blow up a play, and McClendon has been making too many. According to PFF, he’s allowed six QB hits so far, which is the most by any tackle in the NFL through just three games. Plus, he was blamed for seven pressures and two penalties just against Denver. This isn’t just a bad game or two, it’s a trend that’s screaming for attention.
Stafford’s Taking a Beating
Between just McClendon and Dotson, those two have allowed their 38-year-old quarterback, Matthew Stafford, to be hit nine times in three games. Nine times! That’s unacceptable. He got sacked four times by the Broncos alone. This kind of protection, or lack thereof, isn’t sustainable for any QB, let alone a veteran like Stafford. Dotson needs to start stacking some positive games fast, especially with free agency around the corner next year. Because right now, the film and the data are screaming for change on that right side, and it’s not looking good for the Rams.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Turf Show Times.
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