How should LA Rams handle their RFA and ERFA players this offseason?

ERFAs

The LA Rams have two Exclusive Rights Free Agents (ERFA) to address this offseason. Of course, both can be re-signed for the minimum salary. So both players should be affordable. Now, the question is whether the LA Rams will choose to re-sign them.

Interior offensive lineman Coleman Shelton is a 6-foot-5 285-pound powerhouse who graduated from the University of Washington in 2016. He played center for the Washington Huskies and played very well. Unfortunately, he was not drafted and landed on the Arizona Cardinals practice squad in 2019. The Rams signed him to their roster from there. While he seemed to have all the collegiate skillsets to thrive on the Rams offensive line, he played just 23 offensive snaps in 2019 and was exclusively a special teams’ player for the Rams in 2020.  He could prove to offer stiff competition for the center position, but the Rams have to afford him that opportunity.

Rams’ decision? Likely to re-sign with the team.

Interior linebacker Travin Howard is an interesting player. He has had just one season with the LA Rams when he played in just 102 defensive snaps during the 2019 season. And yet, he racked up 22 tackles and was competent enough in pass defense, allowing just nine of 15 passes to find their mark. That was enough to give him the inside track on starting in 2020 until a season-ending injury ended his season before it ever began.

Now, the Rams certainly must consider re-signing Howard to the team for several reasons. For starters, he certainly deserves to compete for a starting role that was all but his the previous year. Secondly, Howard will not garner must interest elsewhere, and his experience with the Rams makes him a far more valuable player on the Rams roster than any other team. Finally, he will be available to the team for the league minimum.

Rams’ decision? Almost certain to re-sign with the team.