After seeing what C.J. Anderson was able to do behind a great offensive line, the Los Angeles Rams would probably prefer not to let him leave in free agency. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network says the team “definitely” wants to keep him paired with Todd Gurley in the backfield.
Anderson expressed an interest in returning to L.A., too, saying “of course” he wants to be back and he will be “if the cards allow it.” As Anderson noted, the NFL is a business and there’s no telling what will happen, so there’s no guarantee he’ll be wearing blue and yellow next season.
In the event that he does leave, the Rams could get some compensation in return. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Anderson would have to be on a team’s roster for 10 weeks after signing this offseason in order for the Rams to be eligible to get a compensatory pick in 2020.
If Anderson signs a contract larger than the $1.7 million deal he got from the Panthers last offseason, Anderson could net the Rams a late-round pick. That being said, there are a lot of factors in play.
The Rams’ signings in free agency could easily cancel out Anderson’s potential compensatory selection, while the size of his contract will play a huge role in whether the Rams even get a pick in return. There’s no guarantee Anderson will earn enough to net Los Angeles a selection in 2020, but it definitely can’t happen if Anderson is cut before Week 10, as Schefter said.
