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Rams camp battle preview: Who will be RB1 in L.A.?
Training camp is just two weeks away for the Los Angeles Rams, and there will be plenty to sort out once players finally get on the field together for the first time this offseason. Running back wi…
theramswire.usatoday.com
Training camp is just two weeks away for the Los Angeles Rams, and there will be plenty to sort out once players finally get on the field together for the first time this offseason. Running back will undergo one of the biggest changes on the roster after the Rams cut Todd Gurley and selected Cam Akers with their first pick in the draft.
Understandably, Sean McVay has not committed to one player as the starting running back, and he may never do so. But there are clear contenders and fading longshots in the mix.
Continuing our training camp preview series, let’s look at the competition at running back this summer.
The favorite: Cam Akers
Akers might only be a rookie and at a disadvantage during this limited offseason, but he remains the favorite to handle the bulk of the touches for the Rams in 2020. Sean McVay, Les Snead and Kevin O’Connell have all spoken highly of the Florida State product, specifically pointing to his easier transition to the NFL after running behind a terrible FSU offensive line.
He’s built like a starting running back and is well-rounded enough to both run between the tackles, to the outside and catch passes as a receiver. The Rams haven’t committed to one player as their bell cow and they may not all season, but Akers should get the nod as the No. 1 running back on the depth chart and in the carries column.
The contenders: Darrell Henderson and Malcolm Brown
Henderson and Brown are completely different players from each other, but one of them could head into the season as RB1 ahead of Akers. Henderson is more of a slasher and change-of-pace back, while Brown is a between-the-tackles runner who’s best in short-yardage and goal line situations.
Henderson’s rookie season was quieter than some expected after being a third-round pick, but the door is open for him to break through as a starting running back. Even if he’s just an Alvin Kamara-type of player as Snead indicated last year, he can be a highly productive complementary piece to Akers.
Brown’s path to a starting job is less clear because he’s a career backup who has done well in limited opportunities, but he doesn’t have the upside that Henderson does. And, the Rams nearly let him get away last offseason after the Lions signed him to an offer sheet.
What makes Akers the lead candidate is that he’s a mix of both Henderson and Brown, showing the ability to run between the tackles and still break long runs when he finds a hole.
The longshots: John Kelly, James Gilbert and Xavier Jones
It would be a complete and utter surprise if any of these players went into the season as the Rams’ No. 1 running back, just given the current landscape at this position. Kelly has done next to nothing in the NFL thus far after being a late-round pick a couple of years ago, while the other two are undrafted rookies just hoping to make the roster.
With Akers, Henderson and Brown all likely to be on the 53-man roster, at least one of these long shots will certainly be cut. Jones’ skill set is intriguing and he was highly productive at SMU, even looking like a prospect who deserved to be drafted this year. Gilbert has a steeper climb to the roster because he’s on the smaller side and doesn’t have much receiving production.
Prediction: Akers is RB1
Akers has the makings of a true workhorse back in the NFL. He handled those duties at Florida State despite getting little help from the rest of the offense, and there’s little reason to believe he can’t become a No. 1 back as a pro.
Whether it’s in Week 1 or by Week 8, Akers will pull ahead as the clear choice to get most of the handoffs from Jared Goff. Henderson and Brown will still be in the mix, but probably not as guys who will get 15-plus carries a game.
Henderson will be a third-down weapon and receiving threat, while Brown could handle short-yardage and goal-line duties.
