One training camp battle for the Los Angeles Rams that is under the radar is at center.
Could Beaux Limmer potentially unseat Coleman Shelton in the starting lineup?
Rookies rarely crack the rotation under Sean McVay. Limmer started 16 games in his first year including two playoff contests. He did not make a single start during his sophomore campaign.
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That’s because the Rams watched the 2024 season end at the hands of Limmer in a missed blocking assignment that allowed Jalen Carter to wreck a red zone possession in the NFC divisional round. LA responded by signing Coleman Shelton in free agency. Shelton may not be a Pro Bowl caliber player in terms of performance; however, he excels in the key area that Limmer lacked: communication.
|
Player |
Season |
Label |
Overall |
Pass Block |
Run Block |
|
Coleman Shelton |
2025 |
Highest season |
70.9 |
53.1 |
77.2 |
|
Coleman Shelton |
2022 |
Lowest non-2019 season |
58.0 |
71.3 |
55.4 |
|
Beaux Limmer |
2024 |
2024 season |
55.5 |
40.2 |
65.4 |
Source: Pro Football Focus (PFF) Premium Stats.
It seems fair to expect that Limmer has made progress in this area after spending a year behind Shelton and more time in McVay’s offense. If he can take strides in signal calling at the line, his play as a rookie wasn’t disqualifying and he would still have starting potential.
Life in the NFL usually comes down to the business side of things. Limmer is a former sixth-round pick that is cost-controlled through 2027. Shelton’s 2025 free agent deal expires at the conclusion of the season. He’ll be age 32, and it would be tough to renew the financial commitment to a player whose best days are likely behind him.
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Similar to how the Rams found lost money in replacing long-term starter Rob Havenstein with Warren McClendon a year ago, starting Limmer could favor LA in both the short and long terms. Shelton is unlikely to return in 2027. Limmer could help thread the needle in a volatile period where the other four starters—McClendon, Kevin Dotson, Steve Avila, and Alaric Jackson—may all need new contracts soon.
At some point the Rams will need to build an offensive line succession plan. They could take a step towards future-proofing the front by starting Limmer over Shelton.
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