Chiefs sign C Austin Blythe

[Dante84]

The Chiefs agreed to a 1-year deal with center Austin Blythe, per a source.

— Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) March 30, 2021

[MahomesMagic]

Los Angeles Rams: Austin Blythe is the Rams’ most important free agent

Austin Blythe steady in the middle
A seventh round pick from the Colts in 2016, Indianapolis cut Blythe in the summer heading into 2017 training camp. The Rams picked him up and he has turned out to be a crucial piece up front ever since. He’s started 47 out of a potential 48 games over the last three years. In that time, he’s consistently been on of the more important pieces on the offensive line.

Last season, Blythe was the ninth rated center according to Pro Football Focus. Again, not using PFF as the end-all be-all here. It’s important to separate the grade and use context. Blythe had a 73.2 run-blocking grade and was a key cog in the Rams’ No. 10 rushing attack.

What makes him even more important is his ability to move back and forth between guard and center. If the Rams need to shuffle the offensive line, Austin Blythe is more than capable. That can’t be understated.

Where Austin Blythe needs to improve
However, Blythe is far from perfect. Where Blythe needs to improve is in pass blocking. His 52.5 pass-blocking grade ranked 22nd and his 29 pressures tied for the fourth most allowed. Taking that a step further, his pass-blocking efficiency ranked 25th among centers. That’s certainly far from ideal.

Stafford has more mobility that Goff, but the Rams need to be able to keep a clean pocket for their new star quarterback. The Rams need Austin Blythe to get stronger so that he is able to better handle larger defensive tackles. He got bull-rushed consistently which caused the pocket to collapse.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Hog's Gone Fishin

So we'll draft a starting center!

Blythe has started 47 games in 3 years. My guess is he's your starting center.

[htismaqe]

Assuming Long can stay healthy, you'll have Blythe sandwiched between him and Thuney.

This might actually be a really good move, despite some of his pass blocking deficiencies.

[MahomesMagic]

Sounds like a younger Kilgore. And he is probably better than Reiter in the running game, worse in the passing game. But if our guards are good he will often have help.

[Chieftain]

Veach cleaning house with the OL. Blythe started for the Rams the past 3 seasons. Their run game was very decent last season. Certainly not a downgrade from what we had.

[smithandrew051]

A little troubling that he struggles in pass protection, but a better rushing attack may help take some pressure off Mahomes anyway.

His ability to slide over to guard is good. If LDT gets hurt and we draft a C, then we have more options to mix and match on the OL. We’re fairly deep at G right now.

[louie aguiar]

The chiefs love centers named Austin

[Kman34]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Assuming Long can stay healthy, you'll have Blythe sandwiched between him and Thuney.

This might actually be a really good move, despite some of his pass blocking deficiencies.

Yes! Having all pros on either side will hopefully improve his pass blocking.. I’m really excited about CEH running the ball this year.. But m drafting him in FF if I get the chance for sure..

[tyton75]

At least now we don't NEED to draft a center and can be more flexible in the draft. Still hoping they draft over him.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by smithandrew051

A little troubling that he struggles in pass protection, but a better rushing attack may help take some pressure off Mahomes anyway.

His ability to slide over to guard is good. If LDT gets hurt and we draft a C, then we have more options to mix and match on the OL. We’re fairly deep at G right now.

That's where I'm at. The guy has only missed 1 game in 4 years (he wasn't a starter in 2017 but played in all 16 games). He may struggle in pass pro but he's a better run blocker than Reiter and his versatility is a bonus.

He'll be playing next to one of the best pass blocking LG's in the game, so he's going to have help. Thuney + Blythe is WAY better than Wylie + Reiter, which before all of the injuries was our starting combo until they signed Osemele.

[displacedinMN]

yes I am an iowa fan....would take any iowa lineman almost any time

[ToxSocks]

Originally Posted by In58men

You’re not overly excited, but you’re clapping and nodding that we’re still working on the OL. Last 3 years he was a starter.

Thank you. I will react as instructed.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by displacedinMN

yes I am an iowa fan....would take any iowa lineman almost any time

Do you remember the last center we had from Iowa?

[staylor26]

Rookie/Okung/Villanueva - Thuney - Blythe - Long - Remmers/Niang

Barring a trade for a LT, I think this is what we’re looking at here.

[ToxSocks]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

That's where I'm at. The guy has only missed 1 game in 4 years (he wasn't a starter in 2017 but played in all 16 games). He may struggle in pass pro but he's a better run blocker than Reiter and his versatility is a bonus.

He'll be playing next to one of the best pass blocking LG's in the game, so he's going to have help. Thuney + Blythe is WAY better than Wylie + Reiter, which before all of the injuries was our starting combo until they signed Osemele.

I bet he's better at pass blocking than he's looked, and worse at run blocking than he looked. In context, it must suck pass blocking for Jared Goff, and it's likely a little easier run blocking for McVay than others.