NFL free agency begins in less than two weeks, and the Los Angeles Rams have plenty of money to spend in the market. Speculation has spread far and wide regarding what they should do with their $40 million salary cap windfall. Everything from major transactions like signing Carolina Panthers edge rusher Brian Burns or Kansas City Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed to keeping in-house guys like center Kevin Dotson and safety Jordan Fuller.
What are the Los Angeles Rams’ Priorities in 2024’s Free Agency
According to Aaron Schatz of ESPN, the Los Angeles Rams’ main objective in free agency will be to locate a center. He advises they go for Andre James. In 2019, the Oakland Raiders signed James as an undrafted free agent. After minimal playing time in his first two seasons, the 6’4″ 300 pounds UCLA Bruin earned a starting position. Since then, he has emerged as one of the NFL’s most undervalued centers.
James’ last contract was for $8.7 million over two years. This is certainly far more than Coleman Shelton, the Los Angeles Rams’ 2023 starting center, will command on the open market. Over the Cap values Shelton at $4.3 million.
Is Andre James Worth The Money?
James provides the Los Angeles Rams with an upgrade at center over Coleman Shelton, particularly in pass blocking. James boasted an impressive pass block win rate, ranking second among all centers last season at 96.5%. According to PFF, he allowed only 19 pressures in 2023, which was the sixth best record. Notably, James never allowed more than three pressures in a single game and only permitted more than one pressure in a game on five occasions. In contrast, Shelton allowed 36 pressures, with multiple pressures occurring in nine games, including seven in Week 2 against the San Francisco 49ers, earning him the unfortunate distinction of allowing the second most pressures in the league.
However, Shelton holds an advantage in the running game. Kyren Williams excelled under Shelton’s blocking, leading the league in yards before contact and averaging an impressive 5.1 yards per carry when running into Shelton’s gaps. While Shelton benefited from having top-tier guards alongside him, his contribution to Williams’ success cannot be overlooked.
In contrast, All-Pro Raiders running back Josh Jacobs had less success running behind his offensive line, gaining only 1.9 yards before contact and averaging just 3.5 yards per carry. Although Jacobs performed slightly better when rushing into his ‘A’ gaps, averaging 3.8 yards per carry, this was where most of his success in the 2023 season occurred.
Furthermore, James’s age provides another advantage. He will be 27 at the start of the 2024 season, whereas Shelton will be 29.
Conclusion
The numbers appear to favor the Los Angeles Rams keeping Shelton, but that relies on how desperate clubs are this offseason. The demand for center is particularly high, which will increase Shelton’s contract value.
They are betting that Shelton will grow as a pass-blocker and remain healthy into his 30s. It’s a reasonably safe bet given that it was Shelton’s first season as a center and only his second as a starter.
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