The Los Angeles Rams found a solution to their left tackle problem.
The Rams have the framework for a deal in place with veteran Andrew Whitworth, the offensive tackle's agent announced on Thursday morning.
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported the deal is for three years, worth $36 million with $15 million guaranteed, including $2.5 million guaranteed in Year 2. The deal pays more than $13 million in the first season and $24.5 million over the first two years.
It might be a haul to pay a 35-year-old, but Whitworth was by far the best left tackle hitting the open market -- and there appears little immediate aid in the draft. He sat No. 18 overall on Around The NFL's Top 101 Free Agents list. The next true left tackle on the list doesn't pop up until Russell Okung at No. 46.
Rapoport adds that the plan is to move disappointing first-round pick Greg Robinson to guard -- a plan GM Les Snead intimated last week at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Swiping Whitworth from the Cincinnati Bengals is a coup for Snead. The attempt to grow a young line the past several seasons has failed miserably for the Rams. Adding a veteran presence in Whitworth on Jared Goff's blind side and swinging Robinson inside could stabilize the unit.
The 11-year pro ranked as Pro Football Focus' No. 2 overall tackle in 2016 and was the best pass blocker among the group.
Los Angeles boasted one of the worst blocking units in the NFL last season. The group struggled to open holes for Todd Gurley and couldn't protect whichever quarterback was under center. Adding Whitworth to replace the turnstile Robinson immediately solves the Rams biggest problem.
Now Snead and new coach Sean McVay must continue plugging the plethora of holes on the roster.
