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Detroit Lions: How to replace veteran offensive guard T.J. Lang

By Brenden Armour

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 20: Rodger Saffold #76 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on prior to the NFC Championship game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 20, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 20: Rodger Saffold #76 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on prior to the NFC Championship game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 20, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Free Agency Replacement: Rodger Saffold

The Los Angeles Rams surprised everybody when they decided to allow guard Rodger Saffold test the waters in free agency. Saffold has proven over the past couple of years that he is one of the better guards in the NFL.

Saffold started all 16 games last season, and has only missed two games total the past three years. Saffold is also a low penalty risk, having only been called for holding just once last year, and zero times the last five years before that. He was also only called for four false starts all last season, and averages about three false starts per year.

According to PFF, Saffold graded out as the number nine overall guard for the 2018 season with a season grade of 72.8 (above average). Saffold was one of the best offensive lineman on a Rams’ offensive line that could be considered the best of 2018.

Saffold will be looking to sign a pretty good deal in free agency, believing he should be paid as one of the best guards in the league. Right now, the spotrac.com site is projecting that Saffold will make a little over seven million dollars per year. My belief is that he will not settle for less than eight million dollars per year, but will probably end up landing around nine million a year, similar to T.J. Lang’s deal a few years back.

While the price is a little steep, Saffold would provide a great player on the field and would also give the Lions another candidate to be a team captain. Signing him would give the Lions a dependable guard and veteran presence in the locker room.

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