Warren Mcclendon Jr.

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

The Rams secured a solid depth piece at bargain-basement pricing with Warren McClendon Jr.'s four-year, $4.1M extension, earning a C+ CVI that reflects modest value for an unproven tackle. At just $1.0M annually with minimal guaranteed money ($0.2M), Los Angeles is essentially paying replacement-level wages for a young offensive lineman who could develop into a serviceable swing tackle or spot starter. The contract structure heavily favors the team, with such low guarantees that they can walk away without significant financial penalty if McClendon doesn't progress as hoped. While his current production tier remains unclear given limited NFL experience, the Rams are betting on developmental upside at a price point that makes this a low-risk flyer rather than a foundational investment. This deal represents smart roster management — securing a young tackle for four years at backup money while maintaining maximum flexibility if he fails to establish himself as a reliable NFL contributor.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the C band — a quick read on where Warren's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Warren McClendon Jr. is a third-year offensive tackle for the Los Angeles Rams, a former third-round pick still working to carve out a dependable role along one of the NFL's most scrutinized front fives. Across three seasons, McClendon has appeared in 36 career games, a modest total that places him firmly in developing-player territory and underscores the reality that durability and sustained availability remain question marks at this stage of his career. For an offensive lineman, the ability to log consistent snaps week after week is the foundational currency of value, and at 36 games in three years, McClendon has yet to establish himself as a reliable fixture in the starting lineup. His performance grade reflects those struggles, earning an F designation that signals significant concerns about his ability to hold up against NFL-caliber competition at the tackle position. The Rams have long prided themselves on offensive line development under Sean McVay's offensive system, but McClendon has not yet capitalized on that infrastructure the way the organization would have hoped when investing a Day 2 pick in him. At just 25 years old, there is still a developmental window open, but it is narrowing, and the 2025 season represents a critical crossroads for whether he can establish himself as a legitimate contributor or find himself on the roster fringe. McClendon's trajectory depends almost entirely on his ability to stay healthy, command snaps, and translate raw athleticism into the consistent, assignment-sound play that winning football demands at the tackle position.

How Warren Compares at the Position

Warren Mcclendon Jr. ranks 179th of 189 graded offensive tackles by performance. That slots Warren between Landon Young (F) just ahead and Alaric Jackson (F) just behind.

Current Sentiment

How the public sees Warren McClendon Jr. shakes out to a B- sentiment grade in the rolling 14-day window. The narrative around the third-year right tackle has undergone a meaningful shift—he's transitioned from developmental prospect to a player whose extension should be a front-office priority, buoyed by public endorsements from teammates like Kyren Williams and consistent analyst positioning of him as a legitimate starting option. This optimism stands in stark contrast to his on-field performance, which grades poorly, suggesting that media confidence in McClendon is built on upside, internal organizational trust, and mentorship from veteran Rob Havenstein rather than proven accolades or statistical production. The recent headlines reinforce this upward trajectory: coverage ranges from backing his readiness to suggestions that the Rams should prioritize locking him in long-term, while the team's offseason focus on offensive and defensive reinforcements signals a front office that views McClendon as a stable piece in their forward planning. The B- grade reflects a fan and media base cautiously optimistic about McClendon's trajectory, but one that remains contingent on him proving himself on the field during the 2026 season—perception is clearly trending his way, but proof is still pending.