LA Rams showing they too can bargain shop in NFL Free Agency

The LA Rams are definitely showing signs of stinginess, as the team has been getting tremendous bargains in NFL Free Agency so far

The LA Rams may not be known for driving a hard bargain, but perhaps that is changing in 2020. While the team has not been making a large number of signings in the 2020 NFL Free Agency market, a deeper analysis indicates that the team has been consistently signing players below their “blue book” value. Why is that important?

In short, the LA Rams are up against the 2020 salary cap with each signing, release, passing on tender offers, or passing on a team option year for one of the NFL’s best slot corners. If the team had available funds, this off-season takes a far different course towards the 2020 NFL Season.

But no money may get the front office into a better habit of finding better values in NFL Free Agency, at least that is the trend so far.  Let’s examine the team’s signings so far:

Center Coleman Shelton – Shelton is a young man who will most certainly compete for playing time on the offensive line.  At a time when offensive linemen are commanding significant salaries, Shelton signs for the ERFA amount of $675,000.   Even if he just warms the pine, that is a steal.

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Tight end Johnny Mundt  – Mundt is a blocking specialist tight end returning to the Rams at a time when coaches are working frantically to ensure blocking is optimized in 2020.  He signs for the ERFA amount of $750,000.   This is another huge bargain for the team. Mundt will likely see a much larger role in 2020. But even if he is just a bench player, well played LA Rams, well played.

Defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson – Defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson signed a two-year deal with the LA Rams for an estimated $17 million.  While that seems like a hefty sum, it’s a far discounted amount from his estimated $10.9 million / season per Spotrac.com. in whichever side of the debate you end up in comparing his play to that of Michael Brockers, the fact remains that he signed for a far more team-friendly deal than Brockers, who landed a three-year $33 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens.

Outside linebacker Leonard Floyd – Outside linebacker Leonard Floyd signed on for a one-year $10 million prove-it deal.  Once more, that is a far cry less expensive than the $13.9 million estimated per Spotrac.com. While some compare his skillsets to that of recently release OLB Clay Matthews, keep in mind that he is six years younger than Matthews, and will start for the Rams in the role vacated by Matthews. Floyd allows the Rams to set the clock back at the position, getting both pass-rush and pass-coverage from the same player.

Left tackle Andrew Whitworth – In a year where offensive linemen were signing contracts far above previous levels, the LA Rams actually did a pretty good job of holding the line on re-signing left tackle Andrew Whitworth.  His 2020 salary cap hit is just $6.67 million, a nice discount from the projected $10.2 million/ year salary estimate for a starting left tackle. For now, he’s the presumed starter, but I would expect that the Rams draft a day three offensive tackle.  Look for OT Trey Adams from the University of Washington to be drafted as Whitworth’s apprentice.

Interior offensive lineman Austin Blythe – Many are asking why did the LA Rams make the effort to bring back IOL Austin Blythe. Simply stated, they could not afford NOT to re-sign him.  Blythe has experience starting games for the LA Rams at both offensive guards and at the center. While some claim that he is the weak link in the Rams offensive line, the fact remains that there are far worse players making far more in the NFL today. The Rams have more than a half-dozen very young offensive linemen competing for playing time. Blythe ensures that they only get that playing time when they earn that playing time. The terms of Blythe’s contract have not yet been released.