The Los Angeles Rams arguably had the best rookie class of the 2023 season. Several first-year players contributed immediately (including Puka Nacua, who broke the single-season rookie receptions and receiving yards record). Interior offensive lineman Steve Avila was one of those standout rookies who can now go from good to great in 2024 while undergoing a position change.
Avila won the starting left guard job out of training camp. He was tasked with replacing Matt Skura and Bobby Evans, who delivered lackluster results as makeshift left guards the previous season. Miraculously, Avila played every single Rams offensive snap throughout 2023. That equaled 1,148 snaps in total.
Avila was particularly outstanding in pass protection. The former TCU standout was credited with allowing just 2.0 sacks, 32 quarterback pressures, and seven hits in the passing game en route to a protection grade of 67.2, according to Pro Football Focus. As a whole, the Rams’ offensive line ranked seventh in sacks allowed (34), and seventh in total offense.
Same as last week: Rams rookie LG Steve Avila's play strength and anchor being an asset in pass pro, only this time against even better competition pic.twitter.com/oRgzg6b3MA
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) September 21, 2023
Isaac Seumalo was the only guard in the league who played more pass-blocking snaps that was credited with giving up fewer sacks. That’s an incredibly impressive feat for a rookie blocker. Avila also played a technically clean and advanced game, only whistled for two penalties all season long. Avila was the definition of consistency.
Avila was also an expert run blocker despite PFF's questionable 55.8 grade in that department. The Rams ranked 11th in the league in rushing, averaging 120.3 yards per game as the ground-and-pound attack became a focal point of Sean McVay's offense. That signaled significant improvement as McVay's rushing offense finished 28th in 2022 (97.7/game). It's no coincidence that Avila's consistency helped lead to the uptick in rushing production.
With 1,032 snaps played, OL Steve Avila has played the most snaps for a Rams offensive lineman since 2021 and the most snaps by a Rams rookie since Kupp in 2017. @Stevelavila #RamsHouse pic.twitter.com/9fzkjDfhzU
— Los Angeles Rams PR (@TheLARamsPR) January 5, 2024
The new-found rushing success led to a breakout season for Rams running back Kyren Williams. Williams finished third among all ball-carriers in rushing yards with 1,144, trailing just annual NFL Offensive Player of the Year candidates Christian McCaffrey and Derrick Henry. Once again, Avila's efforts were a big part of Williams' breakout.
Unexpected offseason developments have now led to Avila taking over the center position. Last year's starter Coleman Shelton decided to void the final year of his contract. Right guard Kevin Dotson was re-signed to a lucrative multi-year contract earlier this summer, and the new left guard will be Jonah Jackson, a player the Rams did not expect to reach free agency. The former Detroit Lion inked a three-year, $51 million deal with the Rams.
With Dotson and Jackson possessing multiple years of experience at guard, the natural solution was for the youngest interior blocker, Avila, to make the positional switch. Avila should make a swift transition. He played more than 1,000 snaps at center for the Horned Frogs and has the athleticism necessary to develop into a high-level one at the pro ranks quickly.
Avila was arguably the best rookie offensive lineman in the league throughout 2023. The trio of Avila, Jackson, and Dotson could form an elite interior this coming season. A Pro Bowl-type season is well within the realm of possibility for the Rams' workhorse blocker.
