Rokevious

Watkins

Watkins checks in at a massive 6'4/338 and started 27 consecutive games over the last two seasons. Balance and technique are major issues, but you can’t teach this kind of size. Watkins is a project the Rams’ staff will be charged with molding.

He’s being held out of team drills, limited to conditioning and stretching workouts. Watkins was supposed to compete for St. Louis’ starting left guard job, but his career has started off rocky. He isn’t going to win that position.

Watkins was a college tackle, but the Rams will try him at guard in training camp. They have an open competition at left guard. A 6-foot-4, 328-pound mauler, Watkins will compete with Bryan Mattison and Rob Turner, among others.

It’s a potentially huge trouble spot for a line already among the league’s worst at the other four positions. “We’ve got a lot of options, and we’ll continue to rotate guys in there,” said coach Jeff Fisher. Options include former practice squad player Bryan Mattison, undersized center Tim Barnes, ex-Jet special teamer Rob Turner, and mammoth rookie project Rokevious Watkins.

He’s apparently back down to his college weight of 328 after a week and a half of conditioning. Watkins should eventually challenge Bryan Mattison for left-guard duties, but for now he’s running with the second and third teams. Left guard is the biggest trouble spot for a Rams line that was the NFL’s worst in 2011.

Journeyman Quinn Ojinnaka started for Watkins in Week 2 after the rookie injured his ankle in practice. The Rams now have backups starting at every position on the offensive line save RG Harvey Dahl. Watkins is viewed as the future at left guard.

Watkins was drafted to be the future at the position, but it’s a stretch to suggest that he’s ready now after missing the beginning of training camp. Veteran Rob Turner is the fallback option. With a shaky Barry Richardson starting at right tackle, the Rams have two exploitable spots on the offensive line.

Watkins was seen on crutches, and his status for Sunday’s game against the Redskins is uncertain. It’s yet another blow to the Rams’ offensive line after losing C Scott Wells (foot) and LT Rodger Saffold (neck) in Sunday’s loss. The bad news continues to pile up for Steven Jackson, who averaged just 2.5 yards per carry in Week 1. He could have a hard time finding running lanes moving forward.

The fifth-rounder out of South Carolina isn’t much of a pass blocker but has showed some promise as a mauling run blocker at times. St. Louis linemen are dropping like flies in the regular season after emerging from exhibition and training camp action as one of the healthiest teams. Recently re-signed OL Quinn Ojinnaka will likely start in Watkins’ place. Steven Jackson is going to have a tough time against the Redskins in Week 2.

It’s unclear why Watkins is suspended only one game, as substance-abuse violations usually draw four-game bans. It’s an ill-timed suspension for a player penciled in as the Rams’ left guard, but shouldn’t cost Watkins his job. A 2012 fifth-rounder, Watkins was limited to 37 snaps as a rookie after suffering an ankle injury in Week 1. Rookie Barrett Jones and journeyman Chris Williams are the two most likely candidates to start in Watkins’ absence.