2020 LA Rams Salary Cap anatomy

Five cent drive-by free agency analysis

One of the first areas that jumps out is the simultaneous expiration of two hugely productive players on the defensive side of the ball: Cory Littleton and Dante Fowler Jr. .  Both players are linebackers, but Fowler anchors the edge for the Rams defense, while Littleton solidifies the middle of the defense.

Another position of high impact for the LA Rams is that of center.  While quarterback Jared Goff is going nowhere, the near-automatic snaps fans take for granted require familiarity between a quarterback and his center.  After starting center Brian Allen‘s injury in 2019, the team relied upon guard turned center Austin Blythe paired with rookie center Coleman Shelton.

Of course, Allen returns this season from an MCL knee injury, but Blythe’s versatility was a huge factor in 2019.  And Coleman Shelton is a young prospect with solid potential to fill a growing role in the Rams offensive line.  So should the Rams commit to veteran versatility this off-season? Or do they elect to invest in younger talent for the future? In many cases, it’s either one direction or the other.