Rams forgotten 5th-rounder just shook up depth chart with rip-roaring surge

Los Angeles Rams Coach Ryan Wendell | Al Pereira/GettyImagesThe Los Angeles Rams need offensive linemen for the future. Don't expect the addition of veterans who fill immediate needs to be part of the team's long-term future. The future belongs to young contributors. And when the topic of the offensive line comes up, the future belongs to swing-tackle Warren McClendon Jr.

The team did not know what type of player they might have selected with the 174th overall pick in Round 5 of the 2023 NFL Draft. The hope was that the teammate of QB Stetson Bennett would bring some of the NCAA Championship mindset with him to the NFL. He was a steady, if not remarkable, offensive tackle who had a high IQ…