Is Rams potential suitor Braden Smith after Havenstein retirement?

Rams potential suitor Braden Smith after Havenstein retirement now looms as a top story for the team.

Rob Havenstein retired after 11 seasons, leaving a sizable void on the Rams offensive line.

Therefore the club must find a reliable right tackle quickly to protect Matthew Stafford and the running game.

While Braden Smith brings a proven pass protection profile, his recent injuries and age raise real questions about durability and price in free agency.

As a result the Rams face a high stakes decision this offseason because they must weigh Braden Smith’s elite pass blocking tape against his concussion history, his missed games, and the cheaper internal option in Warren McClendon Jr., who showed promise when he filled in; therefore the evaluation will shape Los Angeles’ protection plans and could determine Stafford’s sack rate and the offense’s long term ceiling and influence playoff hopes next season and future contract decisions.

Rams potential suitor Braden Smith after Havenstein retirement

Braden Smith presents a clear fit on paper, and yet his profile carries tradeoffs the Rams must weigh. He has a long 6’6″ frame and a reputation as a reliable pass protector. However he ended last season on injured reserve with a concussion and neck injury. Kristopher Knox noted in his assessment that “Indianapolis Colts right tackle Braden Smith does carry a couple of concerns into free agency. He ended last season on injured reserve with a concussion and neck injury, he’s missed at least four games in each of the last three years, and he will turn 30 in March. However, Smith is a high-level starter when healthy, and as Super Bowl LX showed, good pass protection is a premium asset.”

The table stakes are simple. The Rams must decide if Smith’s upside outweighs the health and cost risks. Below are the key factors for Los Angeles to consider:

• Physical profile and style: 6’6″ length, powerful at the edge, and technical in pass sets. He uses his frame to keep defenders away from the quarterback.
• Pass protection résumé: Allowed just one sack on nearly 800 snaps this season, and graded well by PFF in pass blocking.
• Durability and medical history: Multiple seasons with four or more missed games, plus a recent concussion and neck issue.
• Age and contract risk: Turning 30 in March, which raises questions about long term investment and price in free agency.
• Comparison to internal option: Warren McClendon Jr. flashed as a cost controlled alternative, which makes the decision more urgent.

In short the Rams face a classic risk reward choice. Smith buys elite pass protection when healthy. Yet his injury history and likely price force the team to weigh short term gain against long term roster flexibility.

Internal option: Warren McClendon Jr.

Warren McClendon Jr. rose quickly after Rob Havenstein’s ankle injury last season. Moreover he stepped into the starting right tackle role and played with steady improvement. As a result the Rams saw a younger, cheaper option ready to protect Matthew Stafford.

Pro Football Focus gave McClendon an overall grade of 83.5. Therefore he ranked seventh out of 89 qualifying players at his position. This grade signals high-level play, and it suggests the Rams already have internal talent worth developing further.

Key strengths and concerns:

• Strengths
  • Cost control: McClendon is team friendly and cheaper than a free agent signing like Braden Smith.
  • Development curve: He is young and still improving, so upside exists.
  • Recent performance: He handled NFL competition well during extended snaps.
• Concerns
  • Experience gap: He has fewer total snaps than a veteran starter.
  • Upside ceiling: McClendon may not match an elite pass protector immediately.
  • Injury unknowns: He has not faced the wear of a full veteran workload yet.

Comparative takeaways:

If the Rams choose internal development they save cap space and preserve roster flexibility. However they accept some short term risk in pass protection, because McClendon still lacks a multi-year track record. Conversely signing Braden Smith buys proven pass blocking and veteran steadiness, but it likely costs more and carries medical questions. Therefore the decision hinges on how much the Rams value immediate security versus long term roster construction.

Comparison: Braden Smith vs Warren McClendon Jr.

Rams potential suitor Braden Smith after Havenstein retirement sits at the center of a difficult roster choice. Smith offers proven pass protection and a long 6’6″ frame that keeps defenders away. However his recent concussion, neck issue, and repeated missed games raise real durability concerns. Teams will weigh those medical points against his on-field upside.

Warren McClendon Jr. gives the Rams a cheaper internal path. He earned an 83.5 PFF grade and played well when thrust into action. Moreover he provides cost control and developmental upside. Therefore the Rams could preserve cap space and roster flexibility by betting on McClendon. Yet they would risk some short term security in pass protection compared to signing a veteran like Smith.

In short this is a classic tradeoff between immediate assurance and long term value. The Rams must decide how much they value veteran stability versus a homegrown solution. As the market forms, expect both options to stay under close review. For source and follow up reporting, see Rams News LLC and follow on @ZachGatsby.

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