Good news: The Los Angeles Rams have just improved their roster with another essential player.

Good news: The Los Angeles Rams have just improved their roster with another essential player.

NFL free agency has begun, and with analysis from our NFL Nation reporters and expert ratings, we’re keeping tabs on every significant signing, trade, and release of the 2023 offseason. Since the start of the new league year on March 15, free agent signings may become official thereafter. ESPN will air the first round of the 2023 NFL draft on April 27.

Even after trading star cornerback Jalen Ramsey to the Miami Dolphins, the Los Angeles Rams have been among the less active teams in free agency due to their limited cap space. In order to free up $9 million in cap space, the team modified the contract of offensive tackle Joe Noteboom.

Offensive lineman Coleman Shelton reached a two-year contract agreement with the Rams. (Image courtesy of Icon Sportswire/Jevone Moore)
Deborah Copeland, DT
Marquise Copeland is returning to the Rams for a one-year contract.

What that means: The Rams may lose defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson, who is an unrestricted free agent, in addition to losing defensive lineman Greg Gaines, who left free agency to sign a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Rams might depend on a younger, less seasoned group of defensive linemen because they currently lack depth in the position. Coming off of his best season, Copeland—an undrafted free agent in 2020—will probably have many opportunities to build on the advantages he had at the end of the previous campaign.

What’s the risk: By signing Copeland to a one-year contract, the Rams are bringing back a more seasoned player for their defensive line. Copeland was brought back after the team decided not to tender him as a restricted free agent. Copeland is just the second player that Los Angeles has re-signed since the start of the new league year, indicating that the team hasn’t made many free agency purchases thus far.

Coleman Shelton, a lineman on offense

OL Coleman Shelton was re-signed by the Rams to a two-year deal.

What it means: Shelton was rewarded with a new contract after he decided to forgo the final season of the two-year contract he signed during the offseason in 2022 due to his strong play. Shelton started 13 games for Los Angeles and missed just four due to a high ankle sprain last season, despite the Rams’ offensive line suffering serious injuries. Due to injuries to the group last season, Shelton, an offensive lineman, started games at right guard, center, and left guard. Los Angeles was glad to have him back.

What’s the risk: The Rams’ decision to bring back a dependable lineman on Wednesday carries little risk. Given the amount of uncertainty surrounding the offensive line and how severely the team was hit by injuries the previous season, Shelton’s re-signing was a wise decision. Even though it’s difficult to imagine many teams could have succeeded with the same number of injuries to the position group, those injuries exposed the offensive line’s lack of depth. Football Outsiders reports that the Rams’ offensive line losses (71.0 AGL) were much higher than the previous high of 57.1 AGL set by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2020. Reuniting Shelton is the first step toward strengthening the offensive line, as McVay made clear the team is aware of.