Rams Running backs

Cut. Just like that Todd Gurley the former workhorse running back for the L.A. Rams over the last 5 seasons, was released. He had signed the largest deal of any running back in the league just a couple seasons ago. However due to reoccurring issues with his knee the Rams decided it was better to move on then watch the condition of his knee worsen over the next season or two to the point where retirement was imminent. Somehow very quietly they invested a second round pick at the position to help fill Gurley's shoes. 

Cam Akers was a three year contributor at Florida State. Joining the team as a 5'10 215 lb running back in 2017 he managed to command the primary ball carrier role right out of the box. He carried the ball 194 times for 1,025 yards, 7 tds adding 116 yards and 1 td through the air. He also threw 1 pass, which he completed for a 47 yard gain. Not bad for a freshman, a total of 211 touches for 1,188 yards and 8 tds. He followed up with a sophomore season that saw him have a bit of a down year. He played in 12 games but took just 161 carries for 706 yards, and 6 tds. He added 23 receptions for 145 yards and 2 tds. He attempted a pass that fell incomplete and returned 1 kick for 15 yards. Then came his break out year. In 2019 he was force fed 231 carries for 1,144 yards and 14 tds, the team also saw it fit to throw to him more resulting in 30 receptions for 225 yards and 4 tds, with all that success why not have him throw it more too? He threw 6 passes completing 4 for another 50 yards. Akers displayed an ability to be a bell cow back, and as a junior displayed versatility to help in the passing game as well. He will likely split carries in L.A. but I would expect him to still be the primary ball carrier in 2020. 

Darrell Henderson is likely going to be the second guy off the bench. At 5'8 208 lbs he is your typical 3rd down back. The exact role the Rams will ask of him. He will likely come in during passing situations. His college career shows an explosive player with the ability to find the endzone anytime he touches the ball. He was responsible for 46 touchdowns in college. 36 tds on the ground, 8 on receptions, 1 passing td, and 1 kick return td. This man had a career average of 8.2 yards per carry, and 8.7 yards per reception on 494 touches, incredibly impressive. 

Malcolm Brown is a former undrafted free agent and the veteran of the group. He is headed into his 6th season with the Rams and is one of those rotational guys for the team that is always solid, but rarely dominant on the field. Through 5 seasons he has 197 carries for 769 yards and 6 tds, adding 20 receptions for 165 yards and 1 td. It wasn't until 2017 the team started to really rely on him to contribute. They have handed him 43 carries or more the last 3 seasons. In each season he 200 yards but his most efficient season yards per carry wise was 2018 when he received the fewest carries. In 2019 however despite a pedestrian yards per carry average of just 3.7, he managed 69 carries for 255 yards and 5 tds and produced a 1st down about 1/4 of his carries. He adds very little value in the passing game which is why I believe Akers will be first off of the bench, Brown may wind up as the short yardage and goal line back if he can continue to produce first downs and touchdowns when called upon. However due to his limitations Darrell Henderson will also get every opportunity to prove Brown should be the 3rd option. 

John Kelly will try and fight his way into the rotation as well but has spent the bulk of his NFL and college career as a depth player. A guy who can produce slightly above average numbers, but has never really been asked to carry the load. However he showed that he is a decent receiver in his junior year of college with 37 receptions. Although he had just 371 touches in college the Rams are confident in his ability and Sean McVay even said he believes he is a starting caliber back at the NFL level. High praise for a guy who has spent the last 5 years primarily backing up others.

Despite being a pass happy team, after recent offseason moves, and the emergence of certain players on the roster I believe we might see an uptick in 12 personnel alignments from the Rams offense. With Todd Gurley's home run threat gone from the backfield, Brandin Cooks now in Houston, along with the emergence of Gerald Everett behind Tyler Higbee last year will likely push the team to use this formation or a version of it more often. Quite honestly I expect Gerald Everett's 39% snap count last season to go dramatically up, his athleticism and size lends itself to more of an H-back or move tight end. Seeing him in the backfield more in 2020 should be expected.