Good for a sixth round rookie, or a good NFL starting center? The jury is still out on Beaux Limmer.
Los Angeles Rams rookie center Beaux Limmer was exposed by Jalen Carter in the team’s playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Carter sacked Matthew Stafford in the red zone on third down to put the Rams behind the chains on the potential game-winning drive. The following play, Carter pressured Stafford again to force an errant throw out of bounds. So close, yet so far—and that’s a lot on the shoulders of a young player.
Just the absolute worst time to have protection botches with the season on the line.
On both plays, Jalen Carter feigns like he’s on a DL twist, so center Beaux Limmer’s eyes look for a defender twisting towards him. But Carter works back (crazy agility from the big man). pic.twitter.com/kMTeeQdrUW
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) January 20, 2025
While it’s impressive that Limmer was able to take the reigns and earn the starting center job for LA despite his sixth round draft status, the Rams must now be honest with themselves and assess exactly what they have in their rookie.
Was Beaux Limmer simply good for a rookie and sixth round pick, or is he a good starting NFL center relative to his peers?
How many starting centers have similar draft pedigree?
These are the ten highest paid centers by draft round:
1 – Creed Humphrey, Kansas City Chiefs: 2nd
2 – Frank Ragnow, Detroit Lions: 1st
3 – Lloyd Cushenberry, Tennessee Titans: 3rd
4 – Ryan Kelly, Indianapolis Colts: 1st
5 – Erik McCoy, New Orleans Saints: 2nd
6 – Tyler Biadasz, Washington Commanders: 4th
7 – Andre James, Las Vegas Raiders: UDFA
8 – Aaron Brewer, Miami Dolphins: UDFA
9 – David Andrews, New England Patriots: UDFA
10 – Ted Karras, Cincinnati Bengals: 6th
While the highest paid centers in the NFL have a history of being selected in the first three rounds of the draft, the top 10 does include a few undrafted players and a former sixth-round pick.
That’s a promising sign for Limmer’s long-term prospects and the idea that he may be on an upward trajectory as a still-developing player.
PFF grading gives pause
There are 29 centers that played at least 614 snaps this season. Of that group, Limmer ranks 26th in terms of Pro Football Focus (PFF) grading with a mark of 55.5. He’s 17th in run blocking with a grade of 65.4 and dead last in pass blocking at 40.2.
Another discouraging sign is the fact that Limmer was tied for the second-most penalties at center with 10. Only fellow rookie Graham Barton had more at 13. Barton was drafted in the first round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jake Brendel of the San Francisco 49ers and Tyler Linderbaum of the Baltimore Ravens also were flagged 10 times.
What are the Rams’ options?
There seems to be a lot of overreaction to one game when it comes to Rams loss to the Eagles.
Beaux Limmer is a prime example.
Rookie center that played well all year.
Give him an offseason where he is the guy, and I like his development path.
— Blaine Grisak (@bgrisakTST) January 21, 2025
LA experimented with Steve Avila and Jonah Jackson at center during training camp and into the early part of the regular season. Limmer was thrust into the starting lineup due to injuries, but he held his own and rightfully earned the first-string job.
While the writing on the wall suggests that Jackson is on his way out of Los Angeles, would the Rams be willing to give him another chance to reclaim the starting role at center? Kevin Dotson and Avila likely aren’t going anywhere at the guard positions.
The only other options to upgrade at center would be a veteran free agent signing or taking another dart throw in the draft. LA does not have a second round pick this year as part of last year’s trade up for Braden Fiske.
Rams fans – do you have confidence that Limmer can improve on his rookie season where he played over 1,000 snaps for the team? Should the team seriously consider a potential upgrade after the disastrous end in the divisional round of the playoffs?
