The RAMS Forum

Warren McClendon leads Rams PFF offensive grades at RT. Should he replace Rob Havenstein full time? “With that said, it’s time to have a difficult conversation. Rob Havestein is one of the worst tackles in the NFL this season by nearly any measure. Warren McClendon has filled in for two games and performed better than Haventein has at any point this year. The Rams must ask themselves in McClendon should be the starter moving forward, which does make sense for the future since he’s on a cost-controlled rookie deal and Havenstein is slated to become a free agent this offseason.

McClendon graded better in run blocking than in pass protection at 82.3 and 60.2, respectively. He did not allow a single pressure on Matthew Stafford.”
Source: Turf Show Times

Really happy for the kid and yes. I think he may just be ready to take over at RT.

Year 3 oc…………..

Happy for him, and I hope he keeps it up. He certainly didn’t look ready for prime time as a rookie or even last year. Clearly he has gained strength and experience. Could be the long term future at RT. Havenstein will be an UFA (void year) in 2026, and McClendon is under his rookie contract until 2027.

The fact that no one is mentioning him is great kudos to him..

I just have Limmer in the back of my mind.. let’s not call it too early

it's definitely wait-and-see for me, he played very well in college, not crazy about his size for that position, not crazy about his strength, he avoided quality pass rushers with a Bosa less San Francisco and a much tamer Ravens pass rush

Seahawks d worries me

He has NOT been good against elite pass rushers...just egts beat on speed. But hopefully he steps up his pass protect skills more. Havs gets beat for sure vs speed, so I am not advocating for Havs over Warren. Clearly we need a couple early round tackles/OL in draft.

RAMFAN71 wrote: ↑October 17th, 2025, 5:41 am He has NOT been good against elite pass rushers...just egts beat on speed. But hopefully he steps up his pass protect skills more. Havs gets beat for sure vs speed, so I am not advocating for Havs over Warren. Clearly we need a couple early round tackles/OL in draft.

Well so far if we are just talking “ this year” he has allowed no sacks, not hits to QB, n just 5 pressures. I’d say that is damn good………

NorCal RF wrote: ↑October 17th, 2025, 7:47 am

RAMFAN71 wrote: ↑October 17th, 2025, 5:41 am He has NOT been good against elite pass rushers...just egts beat on speed. But hopefully he steps up his pass protect skills more. Havs gets beat for sure vs speed, so I am not advocating for Havs over Warren. Clearly we need a couple early round tackles/OL in draft.

Well so far if we are just talking “ this year” he has allowed no sacks, not hits to QB, n just 5 pressures. I’d say that is damn good………

Agreed- I think his PFF pass protect numbers are low? I am not one to put so much stock in PFF ratings- my eyes can see what's happening- but they do correlate with performance. It would be great if he just takes over based on performance.

RAMFAN71 wrote: ↑October 17th, 2025, 7:59 am

NorCal RF wrote: ↑October 17th, 2025, 7:47 am

Well so far if we are just talking “ this year” he has allowed no sacks, not hits to QB, n just 5 pressures. I’d say that is damn good………

Agreed- I think his PFF pass protect numbers are low? I am not one to put so much stock in PFF ratings- my eyes can see what's happening- but they do correlate with performance. It would be great if he just takes over based on performance.

And as you know I agree with the PFF grade comment……

And I agree I think our eyes have merit and watching the replay the last 2 weeks he has played well.

It's not quite fair to compare an injured Rob Havenstein to Warren McClendon. When Hav is healthy he is solid and experienced. I'm not sure if McClendon is the future at RT yet but I'd love it if he at least became a reliable swing tackle. That being said I think this is Havs last year because he is an older FA and we will see some cap savings. There is no doubt we need a young OT and another OG/OC type on the interior in the 2026 draft.

Nice to see that the Rams have depth at RT and options next year at RT

GlendoraRam wrote: ↑October 16th, 2025, 9:53 pm Happy for him, and I hope he keeps it up. He certainly didn’t look ready for prime time as a rookie or even last year. Clearly he has gained strength and experience. Could be the long term future at RT. Havenstein will be an UFA (void year) in 2026, and McClendon is under his rookie contract until 2027.

I remember both of us were quite happy when the Rams drafted him in the 5th round. I felt it was a really good pick up especially him going at 174. It took him awhile but sometimes that's just the way it goes. He's really starting to look like he might be the answer and the Offensive Linemen we all hoped for. Way to go Warren and McSnead with another late round pick that is playing well.

49RH8R wrote: ↑October 17th, 2025, 8:05 am It's not quite fair to compare an injured Rob Havenstein to Warren McClendon. When Hav is healthy he is solid and experienced. I'm not sure if McClendon is the future at RT yet but I'd love it if he at least became a reliable swing tackle. That being said I think this is Havs last year because he is an older FA and we will see some cap savings. There is no doubt we need a young OT and another OG/OC type on the interior in the 2026 draft.

JMO, shared by others in here, Havs is at the end n hasn’t been able to deal with young/quick pass rushers for the last 2 years……..

He has performed well on the right side, but seems to struggle on the left side. For that reason, I am glad they took out good insurance at LT.

GlendoraRam wrote: ↑October 16th, 2025, 9:53 pm Happy for him, and I hope he keeps it up. He certainly didn’t look ready for prime time as a rookie or even last year. Clearly he has gained strength and experience. Could be the long term future at RT. Havenstein will be an UFA (void year) in 2026, and McClendon is under his rookie contract until 2027.

I think some if his early issues were because we had him play the left side. (I dont know for sure so someone can prove me wrong.).

We are soon going to find out if he is really up to the task.

It's a great problem to have. Maybe next year Limmer will earn back his job at Center and McClendon will take over at RT and we will be set. But we still have to start thinking about the future and drafting quality backups who can become future starters.

One announcer said Havensein is nicked up but McVay is mostly resting him for the playoffs and potential Super Bowl. I would trust a healthy Hav more than McClendon in the Super Bowl but I like Mcclendon starting at RT in 2026. We need a few OT's in the draft and maybe Bowles develops and cracks the 53 next year.

NorCal RF wrote: ↑October 17th, 2025, 10:50 am

49RH8R wrote: ↑October 17th, 2025, 8:05 am It's not quite fair to compare an injured Rob Havenstein to Warren McClendon. When Hav is healthy he is solid and experienced. I'm not sure if McClendon is the future at RT yet but I'd love it if he at least became a reliable swing tackle. That being said I think this is Havs last year because he is an older FA and we will see some cap savings. There is no doubt we need a young OT and another OG/OC type on the interior in the 2026 draft.

JMO, shared by others in here, Havs is at the end n hasn’t been able to deal with young/quick pass rushers for the last 2 years……..

Havs has never had the quickness to get out against speed rushers....that was one thingf I have said over and over since he was a rookie. What Havs did have was once he got his body in position he was unbeatable and that is what is slipping now IMO.

sanbagger wrote: ↑November 28th, 2025, 11:23 am

NorCal RF wrote: ↑October 17th, 2025, 10:50 am

JMO, shared by others in here, Havs is at the end n hasn’t been able to deal with young/quick pass rushers for the last 2 years……..

Havs has never had the quickness to get out against speed rushers....that was one thingf I have said over and over since he was a rookie. What Havs did have was once he got his body in position he was unbeatable and that is what is slipping now IMO.

^This