Austin Blythe took over as the Rams’ starting right guard for the first two weeks of the 2018 season when Jamon Brown was suspended by the NFL. He never relinquished the job and remained at his post for the remainder of the season.
Blythe earned a very respectable 74.1 overall grade from Pro Football Focus that season, allowing zero sacks and only committing two penalties. He regressed this past season, though, by allowing two sacks and receiving a 50.5 overall grade from PFF.
He played both right guard and center, performing better at the latter – which was his original position upon entering the NFL. But now set to be a free agent, what does Blythe’s future hold with the Rams?
He’s not going to command top dollar on the free-agent market, making him an affordable option for the Rams and other potential suitors. However, Los Angeles shouldn’t let him reach free agency.
Rather than waiting it out, they should offer him a one- or two-year deal worth around $3 million per season – similar to the deal D.J. Fluker signed in 2019 with the Seahawks. Blythe may not be the best offensive lineman on the team, but he does carry value with his versatility.
Blythe came into the NFL as a center before transitioning to guard with the Rams in 2018. He struggled at guard last season, but when Brian Allen suffered a season-ending injury, he switched back to center.
Unsurprisingly, he played better at that middle spot than he did in space as a guard. Heading into 2020, the Rams have no clarity of stability at either position. Allen was one of the worst centers in football before landing on IR, and David Edwards’ future might be brighter at tackle than it is at guard. Blythe can play both spots in the event that an injury occurs, which could allow the Rams to carry one fewer interior offensive lineman.
Blythe won’t be a top priority with Andrew Whitworth, Dante Fowler Jr., Cory Littleton and Michael Brockers all hitting free agency, too. But it wouldn’t be a bad idea for Los Angeles to get Blythe signed to a team-friendly deal ahead of time.