Rams ‘19 FA preview: Saffold should be top priority...

Rams 2019 free agency preview: Rodger Saffold should be top priority

Cameron DaSilva6 hours ago

[theramswire.usatoday.com]

Three of the Los Angeles Rams’ four biggest free agents are on the defensive side of the ball with Ndamukong Suh, Dante Fowler Jr. and Lamarcus Joyner set to hit the market. The biggest offensive player with an expiring contract is Rodger Saffold, though.

He’s the longest-tenured Rams player and finally reached the playoffs for the first time in 2017, winning his first postseason game this year. He would like to return to Los Angeles, but it’ll take a reasonable offer to make that happen.

Ideally, the Rams will get a deal done before he hits free agency in March, preventing him from fielding offers around the NFL. After first breaking down Suh, we now take a look at Saffold’s pending free agency.

2018 stats: 16 games, 1 sack allowed, 6 penalties (54 yards)
Pro Football Focus grade: 72.8 (No. 9 guard)
Analysis

Prior to 2016, Saffold didn’t exactly have a set position. From 2013-16, he played every position on the offensive line except center before eventually landing at left guard. He’s improved each of the past few years, becoming one of the best guards in the NFL. He was a second-team All-Pro in 2017, thriving next to Andrew Whitworth and John Sullivan. This past season, he didn’t receive All-Pro honors, but he was still outstanding for the Rams.

He missed just 32 snaps all year and while his penalty total was up from two in 2017 to six this past season, he only allowed a single sack – the same number he allowed two seasons ago. As good as he was in pass protection, he was even better as a run blocker.

Saffold is a powerful blocker and has the athleticism to both pull and kick out to the second level. Just take a look at this combo block on a screen pass, driving the defender backward and eventually to the ground.

He’s a huge part of the Rams’ offensive line, which was named the best in the NFL this past season.

Positional need: Medium

The Rams have Jamil Demby, who they drafted, cut and re-signed last year, but he’d be a downgrade from Saffold. Keeping the offensive intact will be critical for the success of L.A. and it’s not certain that both Whitworth and Sullivan will return. Either player could retire and if the Rams want to save some money, they may release Sullivan.

Demby is a former sixth-round pick and the Rams clearly think highly enough of him to sign him off the Lions’ practice squad and put him on the 53-man roster for the playoff run, but there’s no guarantee he’ll be a quality starter in the NFL.

The Rams need to make Saffold a high priority because they don’t have a surefire backup. What they do have, fortunately, is a strong line around him, lessening the burden if he leaves.

Prediction: Signs three-year, $32M extension with Rams

Ultimately, I think Saffold will be back in 2019 and beyond. He’s expressed a desire to return, saying after the season ended that “I don’t think it’s any surprise that I want to be back.” The Rams clearly want him to return considering the way he’s played and his connection to the franchise, making this a perfect match for the foreseeable future.

It will come down to money, though, because the NFL is a business and Saffold said he wants to take care of himself and his family. He’s 30 going on 31, and looking at the deal T.J. Lang got in 2017 at the age of 29, it’s reasonable to expect Saffold will get something similar. Lang signed a three-year, $28.5 million deal with the Lions two years ago, but with the salary cap rising, Saffold should get a little bit more.

Signing a three-year contract will allow him to possibly finish his career in L.A., or hit free agency one last time at the age of 34.