LA Rams re-sign IOL Coleman Shelton to a new 2-year deal

The starting offensive line for the LA Rams to open the 2022 NFL season was Joe Noteboom, David Edwards, Brian Allen, Coleman Shelton, and Rob Havenstein. With the exception of an unlikely re-signing of IOL David Edwards, the LA Rams free agency re-signing of IOL Coleman Shelton has restored the Rams offensive line to that starting point.

After the Rams veteran opted out of the second year of last year's two-year contract, the team found itself back at the negotiating table with Shelton, Coleman Shelton stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 299 pounds, an ideal size, and weight for a vital combination of power and athleticism that has made him one of the Rams more effective offensive linemen of late.

And he is back on a new two-year deal.

The Rams free agency signing of Shelton makes a lot of practical sense. Not only was Shelton one of the better starters in 2022, but he is able to play all interior offensive line positions, even to the point of extended starting roles at any of them. And he is one of the very few centers on the Rams roster, a position that had needed strong depth due to durability issues with starting center Brian Allen.

Perhaps the most exciting reason to feel good about Shelton's return is the streak of luck that the Rams have running the football with Shelton at the center position. Over the past two seasons, the LA Rams have enjoyed a running back rushing for 100+ yards in a single game five times, including the final three games of the 2022 NFL season by RB Cam Akers.

Coleman Shelton was the offensive center in those five games.

While it's a small step for the LA Rams, it's finally a positive step. The LA Rams roster is now at 45 players, just half of the necessary 90-man player roster for their 2023 NFL Training Camp.

I like the signing. It not only brings back a proven starter, but it give the offensive line some badly needed competition and flexibility for training camp.