Rams' 25 most important players for 2025 – No. 10: LG Steve Avila
Heading into the 2025 season, Avila has the type of talent and potential to make the Pro Bowl and become one of the best guards in football. He's the clear-cut starter on the left side and with the Rams lacking a backup of his ability, his health and availability are critical to the offense's success.
How he got here
Avila was the 36th overall pick in 2023, entering the NFL after a successful career at TCU. He was the Rams' first pick that year, someone they really liked in the draft – and they didn't hesitate to take him in the second round.
2024 stats
10 games (10 starts): 19 pressures allowed, 3 sacks allowed, 50.6 pass-blocking grade, 70.6 run-blocking grade (via PFF)
Projected role
Avila will be the Rams' starting left guard for the third straight year, especially with there being no question marks about who will play center like there was last season with Jonah Jackson. After moving between guard and center last offseason, Avila is certain to be stationed at left guard with Coleman Shelton at center.
As long as he's healthy, he'll play every snap on the O-line.
Why he's important
The Rams got a taste of what life was like without Avila last season when he missed seven games due to an MCL injury. In those seven games, Stafford was sacked 15 times, including 11 times in the first four games alone without Avila.
Justin Dedich struggled mightily in his last two games before Avila returned and Logan Bruss was even worse while filling in at that spot. Those seven games really showed the value of Avila, who was by no means perfect in Year 2 but probably deserves more credit than his PFF grade suggests.
He's an excellent run blocker and could still improve in pass protection, but he's absolutely an above-average starting left guard. The Rams need him to stay healthy, especially with Alaric Jackson uncertain at left tackle due to his blood clots.
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