Barrett

Jones

Watkins figures to be in the mix for the starting left guard spot, but he hasn’t seen many reps at the position. The No. 150 overall pick in last year’s draft has been working on his conditioning this offseason, but he recently drew a one-game ban for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy. Former first-round bust Chris Williams and rookie Barrett Jones are also in the conversation at left guard.

Jones, a Rimington Award winner as college’s top center, enjoyed a storied career at Alabama, but he doesn’t project as much more than a sixth offensive lineman who can play any position on the line. The Rams are holding a competition for the starting left guard spot, but Jones isn’t expected to win it.

He had the operation six weeks ago and reported to the Combine in a walking boot. He’s questionable for OTA season, as Jones’ initial recovery timetable was four months. A middle-round talent, Jones started 49 games for the Crimson Tide, playing all over the offensive line. Teams are well aware of his injury.

Jones (6-foot-4, 306) is coming off Lisfranc surgery, but he’s expected to be ready by camp. He was only healthy enough to bench before the draft, repping 225 pounds 27 times. Despite a decorated SEC career that ended with Rimington Trophy honors as the nation’s top center, Jones is a poor run blocker and lacks quickness. His calling cards are intelligence (35 Wonderlic score) and versatility, as Jones made starts at four positions on Alabama’s line. His ideal pro projection is as a versatile backup. There’s an outside chance Jones could compete for the Rams’ starting left guard job with Rok Watkins. It’s a weakness in St. Louis.

“He may be 80 percent at OTAs and things like that, but mentally and everything else considered, he’ll be fine by the time camp starts,” coach Jeff Fisher said. Jones (6-foot-4, 306) could compete for the Rams’ left guard job, but he projects better as a backup at both guard and center.

Jones famously played all five line positions for the Crimson Tide, but is recovering from Lisfranc surgery to his left foot. Jones would be targeted as a guard by Gang Green with Nick Mangold entrenched at center.

With Scott Wells gone, the Rams are holding a true open competition. “We’re not going to make a decision real early. We’ll let them all play. We’re rotating them,” coach Jeff Fisher said. “We’ll make that decision when somebody shows us he’s earned the job.” A 2013 fourth-round pick, Jones has the draft pedigree to win the job, but injuries have limited him to just 23 career snaps. Barnes has more experience with four career starts, but he has struggled when asked to play significant snaps. A seventh-round pick last year, Rhaney spent his rookie season on injured reserve after suffering a knee injury in training camp.

Entering the third year of a four-year deal, Wells’ 2014 base salary has been reduced from $5.5 million to $1 million. He’ll get some of that money back in the form of a $1.65 million roster bonus and $850,000 in per-game roster bonuses. The restructure is a firm sign the Rams have penciled Wells in as their starting center for one more year, ahead of sophomore Barrett Jones.

Jones, the 113th overall pick in last year’s draft, didn’t play a single snap as a rookie. At 6-foot-4 and 308 pounds, he needed to bulk up. Technically, he can play all five positions on the offensive line but doesn’t project as a starter at any. Jones will battle for a job to be part of the 46-man active gameday roster.

The Alabama alum was beaten out by Tim Barnes to start at center.