Although it was late in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Rams finally addressed their offensive line needs in the seventh round. The Rams picked Clemson offensive tackle Tremayne Anchrum for their 250th overall pick, and their final pick in the draft.
Anchrum started as a right tackle for the Tigers, but practiced and played along the entire line during his collegiate career. He played for four years with Clemson, helping win two National Titles in 2016 and 2018 and making it to the National Championship in 2019. He started in all 30 games in the last two seasons.
Anchrum will join an offensive line corps anchored by starters Andrew Whitworth and Austin Blythe, respectively. He will also compete with Rob Havenstein, Austin Corbett, David Edwards, Bobby Evans, Joe Noteboom and Brian Allen for playing time in 2020.
The Rams also have reserve players in Coleman Shelton, Nate Trewyn, Jeremiah Kolone, Jamil Demby and Chandler Brewer. They added undrafted free agent Cohl Cabral from Arizona State who is the only other new lineman brought to the roster. Anchrum has serious competition, but competition on the Rams offensive line is a good thing, and Anchrum hopes to bring his own competitive spirit to the Rams. Here is how he matches up.
Stats and Honors:
2019: Played 842 snaps over 15 games.
Career: Played 2,516 snaps over 55 games (37 starts).
Honors: 2016 and 2018 National Champion, 2019 First-Team All-ACC selection, 2019 permanent team captain, four-time ACC Champion (2016-2019), 2018 Second-Team All-ACC selection, two-time ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week (2018, 2019).
Strengths:
Anchrum is quick, strong and uses leverage well. He is agile in running plays and has a strong pushback against defenders. His pass blocking is solid, and he is great at mirroring opponents, using strong lateral movement. At right tackle, he had much success in protecting Clemson’s mobile quarterback Trevor Lawrence. He can roll with the play and uses good peripheral vision to eye defenders coming into the pocket from the edge. He has a quick strike and decent hand placement along with moving his feet constantly to gain the advantage. Most importantly he concentrates on his assignment.
Weaknesses:
At 6’2,” 314 pounds, Anchrum is smaller in height than the average NFL tackle. He has shorter arms, which will make his extension hard at the next level but moving him inside to guard is not a bad move. Anchrum does have trouble redirecting his blocking when defenders move inside. His technique is also inconsistent from play-to-play. Often, he is playing off balance, too far forward. He will need to work on core strength.
Expectations in 2020:
Anchrum may not have the ideal size for an NFL tackle, but he may make a decent guard. Moving him inside may shore up the inside holes the Rams have had trouble with in 2019 and would certainly put him in a strong backup position. The Rams offensive line coaches can work on his fundamentals in the offseason to strengthen his core along with his hand and footwork. He will continue to learn behind the other veterans and will also bring a good skillset at the line.
Anchrum’s one advantage is playing across both tackle positions and practicing at both guard position throughout his time at Clemson. This is a welcome trait of an offensive linemen coming into the organization. The Rams would benefit from a player of his experience and talent. There’s no reason the Rams couldn’t ask Anchrum to practice at center too. Sean McVay has emphasized versatility from his linemen. It did work for Edwards after all.
Sources: Clemsontigers.com, NFL.com
You can follow Erik Ho on Twitter @EHoinSDLVLA. Be sure to follow Rams Talk on Twitter @TalkRams.
