2017 Rams Roster Preview: OL Jake Eldrenkamp At The Center Of The Fight

Jake Eldrenkamp is willing to put himself in any position to make the Los Angeles Rams roster. Literally.

The two-year starter at Washington praised for his fundamentals will now take his talents to a new position to compete for a roster spot and potential starting spot. Eldrenkamp was awarded Pac-12 Scholar Athlete of the Year along with First-Team All Pac-12 honors.

With the Rams not drafting a lineman despite some pretty big needs across the line, the Rams got busy on the phone lines hoping to nab some prospects that can compete for a roster spot. Eldrenkamp looks to bring his technique, experience and flexibility to the Rams after moving to center to give him the best chance at success.

Roster Battle

Eldrenkamp could make the battle for center and the team interesting. With the Rams moving on from Tim Barnes but signing veteran John Sullivan, the team may have an eye for the future with Eldrenkamp. He has experience at playing guard and tackle in college but now is working diligently to put his mental and physical tools to best use as a center.

The real key is the release of former backup Demetrius Rhaney and the suggestion it was tied to the offseason performances of Eldrenkamp and Austin Blythe, a mid-May addition:

The Rams are looking to improve their porous offensive line and if Eldrenkamp impresses, he can make the team. The past two seasons have yielded UDFA’s for the Rams in Darrell Williams and Pace Murphy. Maybe this year will bring the same.

Expectations

Eldrenkamp was a solid draft candidate. Here’s the key pull from a scouting report over at NFL.com:

An athletic zone-scheme fit at guard or potentially center if he proves he can snap it. Eldrenkamp is technically sound in both the running and passing games and he's got desired body control and balance that zone teams like. The biggest question for him will be whether or not he can carry more mass, but the tape looks like that of a backup or possibly eventual starter if he can find the right scheme fit.

With Eldrenkamp making a positive impact by willing to move positions and snapping the ball “naturally”, look for Eldrenkamp to battle with other players for the Center/Guard spots:

Chances of Making Roster (5/10)

Due to the track record of OLs making the Rams roster who seem to never be able to put together a decent offensive line, Eldrenkamp has a chance. It bodes really well that new OL coach Aaron Kromer has hinted that Eldrenkamp can really compete for the spot and especially settle in as a backup center and guard.

Jamon Brown, Andrew Donnal and Cody Wichmann may have to be careful about their spots as the new Rams era has begun.