Coleman Shelton has quietly anchored Rams' NFL-best offensive line

Two-game win "streak" notwithstanding, the Los Angeles Rams have disappointed in too many ways to count, but the offensive line hasn't been one of them. Perhaps most surprisingly, center Coleman Shelton has gone from an offseason cut candidate to ringleader of the league's best unit. 

While Shelton helped anchor the group last season, he was clearly the weakest link. With the cap space the Rams could save by releasing him ahead of free agency, a parting of ways was a realistic consideration. Instead, Shelton, a pending free agent, has turned talks from who will replace him? to can the Rams re-sign him?

Unlike last season, he has combined strong run blocking with excellent pass protection, a former weakness, en route to earning Pro Football Focus' third-ranked grade among centers. The push LA manufactures up front, a crucial component of invigorating the run game, is led by Shelton's bulldozing.

Coleman Shelton has led the way to Rams' dominance up front

Collectively, the Rams entered Week 8 as the NFL's clearcut leaders in composite run blocking plus pass protection score. Here's how they measured up with the rest of the league:

Similarly, ESPN ranked LA No. 1 in run-block win rate (and 10th in pass pro) ahead of Week 8 action. 

Despite allowing just the one sack, as far as keeping Matthew Stafford free from pressure Sunday was not the unit's best performance. In run blocking, however, the offensive line delivered another masterpiece in the second half, leading to 22 carries for 119 yards between Blake Corum and Kyren Williams. 

It's a self-feeding cycle. Bigger holes are easy for running backs to shoot through. The easy yards gained help Williams and Corum find and maintain a rhythm. In turn, a productive run game keeps the offense ahead of the sticks and gives head coach Sean McVay no reason to abandon it.

Shelton was already an elite run blocker last season, but he graded poorly on pass plays. That's not the case this year. Shelton ranks fourth among centers in PFF run-block grade and ninth in pass protection. That dual excellence has earned him an overall grade bested only by Pittsburgh's Zach Frazier and Detroit's Juice Scruggs. 

Of course, it's not just Shelton. PFF grades right tackle Warren McClendon a tick above average, while Alaric Jackson ranks in the top 20 percent. Left guard Steve Avila ranks 17th among 75 qualified guards. 51st-ranked Kevin Dotson is the only one with an unfavorable grade.

And while other position groups shed stars like flies, these five have also been highly durable. Shelton played through a hip injury against both the Raiders and the Chargers, but you wouldn't know it. Only Jackson has missed a game this season, and that was due to a suspension. 

Of course, it's also Shelton, with his savvy communication and telepathic connection with Stafford, who helps gels the moving parts into a functional whole.

If the Rams offense is to hold up down multiple playmakers, it will be because Shelton and company continue to pave the way, keeping Stafford upright and gouging out gaps in the run game. Insofar as a successful season will push a rebuild further down the road, Shelton's chances of being back with the Horns next season are in his and his o-line teammates' strong and sturdy hands. 

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