So, considering our very late round draft picks we'll have available, you feel comfortable unloading both of our two anticipated pre-season starters at Center ? Edwards, Shelton, Evans & Anchrum are cheap, but this is what you want our starting interior OL to look like ?
Yes.
I don't think there is much dropoff from Allen to Shelton, if any at all. It's a wash because Shelton is probably better in the run game and would likely improve with more play time in pass pro. Both are subpar so Allen will leave in FA.
Corbett happens to play a position where we have depth. OG we have pieces to absorb his loss. I am not even remotely worried about losing Corbs because I think the Rams value him more than he is worth. Rams love the guy, I think he's average at best so again little dropoff and next man up. This is the price of a star studded lineup. You cannot keep all the solid types, gotta let some of them go.
Where I get concerned is LT. And I don't think the Rams have decided btw, this playoff run will determine which way they go. If Whit returns for example and we crush the next two opponents while he plays well and then he wants to return for 2022 they probably let Boom walk in FA. Or if Boom handles the job the rest of the way and excels he will probably be the guy. Rams are a meritocracy there IMO. Even when they have preconceptions when the play on the field speaks they tend to go that route. Especially now that Kromer is gone.
Now we could say that too much turnover is bad for an OL and I agree with that. But this has been building while they milk out Whit's career. So there is definitely a decision pending with LT and I don't know which way they will go just spitballing here.
What I would like to see, or what I think would be ideal is the Rams keeping Whit around on a super cheap contract and spending the FA money they would have spent on Boom on Scherff instead. I have always wanted him in horns and he would be our next leader among what would be a pretty young group of linemen. And keeping Whit around you can work in whichever guy you think might be our next LT. If Boom gets a big payday we get a round 3 pick. But I realize they probably won't have money to chase a guy like Scherff.