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Ten unheralded signings that will define NFL free agency

2. Andrew Whitworth, offensive tackle, Los Angeles Rams

Greg Robinson has been a massive bust for the Rams since they selected him second overall back in 2014. Never really suited to play left tackle, that’s a role Los Angeles has asked him to play over the past two seasons. That’s led to a starting role for the former Auburn standout on an offensive line that allowed a whopping 49 sacks last season.

Surely some of those sacks were due to rookie No. 1 pick Jared Goff hanging on to the ball too long. But Robinson’s tape was just brutal this past season.

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Now that the Rams have added veteran left tackle Andrew Whitworth to the mix, Robinson will move inside to guard. It seems to be a better fit for the 6-foot-5, 332-pound mountain of a man. That’s where this one signing will define the Rams’ heading into 2017. It really is killing to birds with one stone.

Not only is Robinson better suited to play inside, but Whitworth has been among the most-consistent left tackles in the game. The former second-round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals back in 2006 started 164 games with the team in 11 seasons, earning three Pro Bowl trips in the process. He’s also anchored an offensive line that’s allowed an average of less than 30 sacks over the past four seasons.

Sure, Whitworth is 35 years old and saw some regression last season. This doesn’t mean he’s not a marked upgrade from Robinson at left tackle. That will surely help Goff improve off a horrendous rookie season under first-year head coach Sean McVay.

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