Los Angeles Rams guard Justin Dedich has quietly emerged as one of the most impressive undrafted free-agent offensive linemen in this year's draft class. In fact, Dedich exemplifies what makes football, and more specifically the offensive line position, so unique.
Dedich was a fantastic college football player for the USC Trojans. However, during his pre-draft process, he didn't receive an invitation to an all-star game or the NFL Scouting Combine. At his pro day, he measured poorly in almost all areas—he wasn’t big enough, long enough, or athletic enough to garner headlines. The write-ups he did get labeled Dedich as a developmental lineman at best, saying he lacked the length or size to play anywhere other than center. He went undrafted, signed with the Rams, was cut, and later joined Los Angeles’ practice squad.
But just a few months later, Dedich took the field as an NFL starter. He didn’t look out of place, either. Well, except for his stature. Dedich is sandwiched between the 6-foot-6 Alaric Johnson and 6-foot-5 Beaux Limmer. At 6-foot-2 and just under 300 pounds, one can quickly recognize the outlier on the Rams’ offensive line. But you better keep watching.
Dedich earned his second consecutive start at left guard in Week 8 against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 8. Through the ebbs and flows of that game, there was never a moment on film where Dedich appeared overwhelmed. He played mistake-free football, showcasing an urgency that felt almost obsessive in his execution. Being the smallest player in the trenches did not faze him.
Even during his college days, Dedich was considered a smaller lineman and you can see how he has learned to compensate for that. Offensive line play is all about adaptation. Dedich understands where his strengths and weaknesses lie. There’s a comfort and confidence that radiates from his film. His foot speed, strike timing, and angles are clockwork. He’s unfazed by bull rushers despite his frame, knowing how to utilize his natural leverage. His fundamentals are outstanding.
This isn’t a player who slipped through the cracks of the national scouting process. Rather, Dedich embodies what the offensive line position represents. We often get caught up in minute variances, such as one’s arm length or hand size, to determine a player's potential. We fail to discern what’s real and what’s not in a player’s game—what's truly malleable and what's set in stone. The measurements are solely the vessel of the skill set, the technique, and the demeanor of a football player. Dedich’s vessel is undersized, not his skill set. He belongs on an NFL offensive line.
Dedich has been a fascinating case study this season. While the Rams have built a reputation for getting more out of less, it’s intriguing to see a player of Dedich’s stature perform so proficiently this early in his career. It’s truly special to see what he has accomplished. It serves as a reminder that drafting good players should take precedence over all else.