5 free agents LA Rams must target for offensive line

Here are 5 project free agents the LA Rams must target to rebuild their offensive line

The LA Rams finished just shy of post-season participation with a 9-7 record.  While that is not the end of the world, it could be very problematic if it’s the tip of a prolonged decent from one of the NFL elite teams.  Just the year before, the Rams finished 13-3 and were good enough to meet the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 53.

Ah, those were the days. In many ways, the greatest challenge to success is success itself. Heroes seek compensation. Stars seek center stage and spotlights.  All the while, NFL teams have plenty of limits as to who gets paid, who shines on the offensive side of the ball, and who shines on the defensive side of the ball. Ultimately, NFL teams must distribute payroll dollars, roster spots, and opportunities in the most beneficial way to help the team succeed.

Then it’s a matter of staying healthy, getting lucky bounces of the football, and staying focused on the team goals.

The LA Rams tripped hard on the “staying healthy” in 2019. In fact, it was the number and extent of injuries which was most likely the reason the Rams missed the playoffs.  The most devastating impact occurred to the offensive line. Therefore, it makes sense for the Rams front office to emphasize reinforcing the roster there.

The best strategy for NFL success is to draft for depth, and use free agency for needs. Right now, the Rams offensive line is an area of need. So who should they target in free agency this season?

Philadelphia Eagles left tackle J. Peters

The Philadelphia Eagles want to get younger on offensive line. 37 year old left tackle Jason Peters wants to play next season. Right now the Los Angeles Rams are likely to part ways with 38 year old left tackle Andrew Whitworth as his contract expires.  With a market for left tackles aiming at younger players, the Rams could sign Peters to a low cost two year contract and comb the NFL Draft for his eventual replace in 2020.

Peters has enjoyed a long heralded career in the NFL.  Standing an ideal 6-foot-4 and tipping the scales at 328 pounds, he is a massive but aging offensive tackle.  Even so, he wants to play next season.  Since a new team could enjoy the bonus of adding incentive to a highly skilled player, this would be a solid signing at the right price.

Peters is no longer a perennial NFL All-Pro at left tackle any longer.  But he still demonstrates advanced techniques and understanding of the role to be a huge asset on the offensive line, as well as immediate returns on mentoring younger players trying to improve their skills.

The Rams can sign Peters with a little guaranteed compensation, and a commitment to allow him to compete for a starting role.

Seattle Seahawks guard Michael Iupati

The Los Angeles Rams would like nothing better than weakening a division rival. If the team can improve the roster while simultaneously weakening that of the Seattle Seahawks, that feels like a win-win situation.

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But it doesn’t make sense to spend money on an offensive lineman just to poke-the-bear. Thankfully, Seahawks guard Michael Iupati is good enough to warrant an offer this offseason. He stands 6-foot-5 and weighs in at 331 pounds.  Sports Illustrated writer Corbin Smith broke down film of Iupati last year when the Seahawks kicked the tires.  After signing Iupati to a one year deal worth $2.75 million, Iupati had played for three of the four NFC West teams.  The one remaining?  The Los Angeles Rams.

Iupati had a lot of fun with the Seahawks in 2019.  But the deal was a one-year rental at the end of the day. That leaves an opening for the Rams to swoop in and give Iupati a short-duration contract to pry him out of Seattle.

The Rams hope for a fully healed Jeff Notebloom to return to full health and the starting lineup after an ACL/MCL injury in 2019.  But even if Notebloom does return, Iupati adds a player with NFL starter potential, but with enough versatility and experience to be an asset whether on the field or on the bench.

Philadelphia Eagles G/T Halapoulivaati Vaitai

With the injuries which plagued the Los Angeles Rams in 2019, it would be wrong not to apply the lessons learned to a better strategy in 2020.  One of the most glaring lessons?  The Rams need better depth all along the offensive line.

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What better way to improve that depth than to sign a player who is capable of absorbing starts at virtually any position along the offensive line?  Vaitai stands 6-foot-6 and tips the scale at a petite 320 pounds.  He is as strong as an ox, and has been with Philadelphia since the 2016 NFL Draft.

He’s not only big and strong, but he’s a plug and play replacement for both guards and tackle spots on the offensive line. Based on what the Rams endured on the offensive line in 2020, he would be a great addition.

The LA Rams discovered that depth is just as important for a playoff run as high quality starters.  Which team is better experienced than Philadelphia in plugging holes in the starting lineup due to injuries?  Sign Vaitai, and the team integrate that needed experience instantly.

Washington Redskins C/G Tony Bergstrom

In 2019, LA Rams center Brian Allen fell to injury.  His replacement, Bythe Austin is due to test free agency this off-season.  Finally, backup center Coleman Shelton is untested. The Rams need veteran depth at the position for two reasons:  If Allen does not return to his former playing self, and if Shelton needs more time.

Enter Tony Bergstrom. He is a 6-foot-5 310 pound offensive lineman who can start at either guard or center.  He was the backup for the Washington Redskins, and as of last season had started in 11 of their 22 games played since his arrival.

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His 2019 salary was $895,00 per OverTheCap.com, which places him ideally in the Rams market range. But does he fit?

Well, the Redskins offense was hindered by horrific quarterback play, and injuries to skillset players.  That offensive line opened up some nice holes for veteran running back Adrian Peterson.  Signing a player like Bergstrom may not seem sexy or splash headlines, but is the type of subtle tweak championship teams are build upon.

Buffalo Bills G Quinten Spain

The LA Rams know that winning championships means winning in the trenches. That means the team needs veterans who can step up when injuries occur. Offensive guard Quinten Spain is just the right guy for the job.

Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing in at 330 pounds, Spain is a mountain of a man.  In fact, he is a starting guard for the Bufallo Bills. While that may mean he wants to enjoy his first big NFL payday, free agency has a nasty habit of not always delivering that to veterans who still have plenty of play in them.

Spain is an upper tier free agent in my assessment, and as such may not be in the reach of the Rams.  But as such, he is a talented left guard who is definitely coming into his prime. Adding Spain would likely be a nice upgrade for the offense. This may be a reach, but sometimes those pay off in huge ways.

Honorable mention Cardinals C AQ Shipley

Just as mentioned with previous candidates, A.Q. Shipley is the starting center for the Arizona Cardinals.  Despite that fact, he’s been earning less than $2 Million per year.  That alone should place him into deep consideration as a free agent target for the LA Rams for 2020.

Shipley is a veteran NFL center who stands in a 6-foot-1 and weighs in a 301 pounds.  Don’t let the size fool you, however. He is a strong anchor over center with nice agility.  Since he has played in the NFL  for 10 seasons, he’s seen virtually anything and everything out there.  And at 10 seasons, many teams will look past Shipley to stockpile free agents for their offensive line.

The LA Rams would be wise not to do so.  Their starting center Brian Allen is returning from injury. Their only backup is Coleman Shelton, who is himself an excluded restricted free agent.  Shipley would be the right price and skillset for the Rams heading into 2020.  In fact, he is good enough to earn a starting role for the team.

Honorable mention – Redskins OT Donald Penn

Another name to keep on the list is Washington Redskins left tackle Donald Penn. He is the 6-foot-4 315 pound backup to starting left tackle trent Williams.  Williams was placed on the non-football injury list, which translated into Penn defaulting to the starting left tackle.

As a whole, Penn performed well. He’s a sage veteran of the NFL, once the blind-side bookend of the Oakland Raiders. His play contributed to that offensive line being arguably the best of its time.  But Penn got older and the Raiders wanted to go younger and cheaper.  It was the Washington Redskins who persuaded Penn not to retire and instead play for them.

The Rams would be very wise to place 36 year-old Penn on their call up list this offseason.  He is two years younger than outgoing free agent Andrew Whitworth. And his play at Washington confirms that he still has plenty of play left in him.

In the end, the outlook for the Rams to sign inexpensive free agent offensive linemen for the 2020 season appears to be a very realistic scenario. We’ve only scratched the surface and found a solid crop of free agents with solid starts left in them who would be solid signings for the LA Rams. Doing so allows the team to draft for the Best Player Available (BPA) and not draft for need.  After all, the rule for NFL roster building remains – sign free agents for needs, draft for dept.  Signing these players, or others like them, definitely fills the needs of the team heading into the 2020 season.