LOS ANGELES -- Early Thursday morning, hours before unrestricted free agents can formally sign with other teams, the Los Angeles Rams addressed their most pressing need: protecting quarterback Jared Goff's blind side.

The Rams have agreed to terms with veteran left tackle Andrew Whitworth, solidifying a position that has been a problem for quite a while. Whitworth, 35, has spent his previous 11 seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals and has gone to the Pro Bowl three times. Now he joins the Rams, whose offensive line struggled mightily to protect Goff or open up holes for running back Todd Gurley throughout the 2016 season.

Terms: Three years for $36 million, with $15 million guaranteed, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. In Year 2, $2.5 million is guaranteed.

ESPN 150 ranking: 16th (second among tackles)

Andrew Whitworth was the best left tackle available in free agency. Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Grade: The Rams get an A for this, and the cost doesn't mean all that much. That's how important the left tackle position is. For three years, they tried to make it work with Greg Robinson, the No. 2 overall pick from 2014, and they clearly needed to move on. And considering what they gave up to select Goff first overall in last year's draft, it was crucial that they brought in somebody who can protect him. Keep in mind: Goff was sacked 25 times over the last six games last season, including seven in the regular-season finale. That can't continue to happen. Whitworth was the best left tackle available -- Rick Wagner, rated higher than him, plays on the right side -- and the Rams did what it took to get him. Good on them.

What it means: It means the Rams now have the flexibility to move Robinson elsewhere, either to right tackle or right guard. They have one year left on his rookie contract -- unless they pick up his fifth-year option -- and can experiment with such a move before he becomes a free agent. Robinson's 6-foot-5, 332-pound athletic frame screams left tackle. But he can also maul interior linemen at guard, without the responsibility of being on an island. Robinson struggled with that responsibility, committing an NFL-leading 31 total penalties over the past two years. But if he can get comfortable at right guard -- and if right tackle Rob Havenstein can bounce back from a surprisingly rough second season, and Rodger Saffold can lock down the left guard position -- then the Rams may suddenly have the makings of an adequate offensive line.

What's the risk? It's all about the mileage here, of course. Whitworth is heading into his age-36 season and is the league's oldest left tackle. But he also has been to the Pro Bowl each of the past two years, including being named first-team All-Pro in 2015, and is still considered among the NFL's best pass-blockers. Pro Football Focus graded Whitworth the second-best left tackle in the NFL last season, trailing only the Redskins' Trent Williams. So, yes, he's still elite. But for how much longer?