Rams tender ERFA center Dylan McMahon

Second-year man takes over the primary interior swing role

With announced roster moves flying fast and furious, the Los Angeles Rams slipped one in under the radar that may have paved the way for the Jonah Jackson trade. On Monday, the day before the trade, L.A. announced that they would tender an Exclusive Rights Free Agent (ERFA) designation on second-year center Dylan McMahon.

Last September, the Rams poached McMahon off of the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad and kept him on active roster for the remainder of the season. He didn’t receive any snaps until Week 18, the final week of the season. When the Rams decided to rest their starters for the playoffs, McMahon got the start at center.

What is an Exclusive Rights Free Agent?

Any player that has less than two accrued seasons, an expired contract, and was active for six or more games in the previous season qualifies for the tender. By tendering, NFL teams can bind players from seeking other offers and put them under contract, usually around the league minimum.

In McMahon’s case, after the Rams poached him, he was given a one-year deal at the league minimum, and after the season the contract expired, leaving only the rights. Since he was active in seven 2024 games, L.A. was able to lock him up for 2025 at $960k.

Who is this guy?

Dylan McMahon was selected out of North Carolina State at #190 of Round 6 in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. He was released in final cuts, cleared waivers, and was placed onto the Philly practice squad. The Rams poached him on 9/11. At the NFL Scouting Combine, he measured in 6’ 3 3/8” and 299 lb. with 31 3/4” arms and 9 3/8” hands. He was named to the 2021 Feldman’s Freaks list for athleticism and strength. Just turned 24 years-old.

Although drafted as a center, McMahon showed versatility in college with 22 starts at right guard, eight games at left guard, and 14 starts at center. That’s 44 starts out of 49 games with three missed games in 2023 due to a knee sprain. Allowed just two sacks over 867 pass block reps in his final two seasons. Named to the Shrine Bowl and was considered by many pundits to be the best offensive lineman in workouts.

It’s not uncommon to hear about prospects that have tremendous physical traits, but lack the fundamentals and technique to be ready to plat in the NFL early in their careers. McMahon is the opposite of that. He is fundamentally and technically proficient, but lacks the height, mass, and length of most prospects.

Amongst his positives are his move skills, he’s very light on his feet and agile. He tested well at the 2024 NFL Combine, his shuttle (4.33) and 3Cone (7.26) would have been fastest of 2025, while his broad jump (9’ 7”) would have tied for the top spot and his vertical (33”) for 5th.

Very smooth moving forward or laterally. Has the feet to position himself on reach blocks and is coordinated and fluid when getting out on screens or climbing to the second level off double teams. He strikes well in space. Balanced setups in pass protection, good punch and hand skills. Appears to have the awareness to recognize stunts/loops and agile enough to react.

Where McMahon could struggle is against power, he is definitely more or of a finesse zone blocker. Inside, he does not yet generate push with his hips into drive or down blocks well, more apt to engage and screen off. His arm length is adequate and he has good grip strength, but again, doesn’t torque from the hips. We’’ll see how much improvement he’s made in adding some mass after a full year and a half in a pro conditioning/strength program.

Making a case for Dylan McMahon

When the Rams broke 2024 training camp, there was already a problem in the pivot. It was never made clear who was to blame, but neither Steve Avila nor Jonah Jackson could nail down the center role. Injuries would dog them both. Rookie Beaux Limmer stepped into the void and played well for a Round 6 rookie.

McMahon must have been on the Rams radar, whether draft scouting or the training camp problems at center. They poached him right after Week 1. Philly had drafted McMahon to develop him at C#2 and with such a strong line and deep roster, tried to stash McMahon on the practice squad. L.A. just continued that process, but decided not to risk him to the whims of the practice squad.

The Eagles like to draft athletic centers they can coach up and have a long history of success doing it. Their offensive line coach, Jeff Stoutland, has been one of the best for man years. He is intense about fundamentals and technique, less focused on size. Jason Kelce was under 300 lb. and starred for 13 years. Cam Jurgens was right at 300 lb. when he was brought in as the heir apparent in 2022 and the Philly offense never missed a beat subbing him in.

McMahon’s only pro film was the final 2024 regular-season game against Seattle. After allowing an early QB sack, where he was beat by a blitzing linebacker, he settled down and played a solid game. It’s fair to say that he played quite similar to his draft profile, but looked to have added a move to his tool box, using a quick-fire, long arm move to keep defenders off his body. It’s also fair to say, that his play gave the Rams some confidence in moving on from Jonah Jackson’s huge contract. Although Jackson is a better player, he was still likely going to be a backup, McMahon offers some of the same versatility, but at $10mil less.