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Cameron DaSilva
8 hours ago
(Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Rams are bound to make several changes to their roster this offseason leading into the 2020 campaign, especially with three coaches no longer with the team. Whether it’s backups working their way into starting roles or free agents and rookies taking over, there will be a lot of new faces next season.
There will also be younger players who will develop and find themselves in bigger roles. These four players, in particular, could become bigger parts of the offense and defense, depending on how the offseason goes for them.
RB Darrell Henderson
(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Henderson came into the NFL with a great deal of hype surrounding him – especially after Les Snead said he gave the Rams a “Kamara element” at running back. His rookie season came and went without much flare, however. He carried the ball 39 times for 147 yards, catching only four passes for 37 yards.
In a season where Todd Gurley missed one game and was clearly on a load management plan, it’s mind-blowing that Henderson didn’t get more opportunities. He only carried the ball 10 times in the second half of the season, with 22 of his 39 attempts coming in Weeks 7 and 8 against the lowly Bengals and Falcons.
Henderson averaged only 5.6 attempts per broken tackle, compared to Gurley’s rate of 10.6. He eluded defenders at a high rate and showed he can be an effective runner in the NFL. Next season, he deserves a larger role – whether Gurley is back or not.
OLB Ogbonnia Okoronkwo
(Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
Okoronkwo was blocked by Dante Fowler Jr., Clay Matthews and even Samson Ebukam on the depth chart this season, but Fowler may leave in free agency, Matthews could be a cap casualty and Ebukam isn’t significantly better.
In limited action, Okoronkwo showed the ability to get to the quarterback, even if he didn’t do so consistently enough to earn significant playing time. While not a refined pass rusher, he landed four quarterback hits and 1.5 sacks on only 62 snaps played from Week 7 to Week 10 (three games).
If Fowler and Matthews are both gone in 2020, expect Okoronkwo to get more opportunities at outside linebacker opposite Ebukam and whoever else the Rams bring in.
CB Darious Williams
(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Williams played extremely well down the stretch for the Rams, picking off two passes in the final two games with four total pass breakups. Carving out a role in 2020 will be tough with Jalen Ramsey, Troy Hill and Nickell Robey-Coleman all presumably starting, but he should find himself as the No. 4 cornerback on the depth chart – yes, even ahead of David Long Jr.
That’s all dependent on how each plays during camp and the preseason, of course, but Williams has ball skills that can’t be ignored. The Rams should give him an opportunity to compete with Long for snaps next season as the dime cornerback.
It’s also possible (though unlikely) the Rams decline Robey-Coleman’s option for 2020 and insert either Long or Williams in as a starter, thus moving both players up the depth chart. Again, it’s unlikely to happen, but the Rams can save $4.5 million by moving on from Robey-Coleman.
ILB Travin Howard
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
The Rams have yet to find a starting-caliber linebacker next to Cory Littleton. Howard received more playing time in the final five games of the season, and for the most part, he held up fairly well in coverage. He broke up three passes and only allowed a completion rate of 60% when targeted. He also didn’t miss a single tackle on 16 attempts.
If Littleton leaves, Howard is a candidate to replace him at inside linebacker. Even if Littleton is back, Howard will have a chance to compete for snaps next to him. The Rams frequently gave those snaps to safety Marqui Christian, but they need a legitimate linebacker to take over that role next season.
8 hours ago
(Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Rams are bound to make several changes to their roster this offseason leading into the 2020 campaign, especially with three coaches no longer with the team. Whether it’s backups working their way into starting roles or free agents and rookies taking over, there will be a lot of new faces next season.
There will also be younger players who will develop and find themselves in bigger roles. These four players, in particular, could become bigger parts of the offense and defense, depending on how the offseason goes for them.
RB Darrell Henderson
(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Henderson came into the NFL with a great deal of hype surrounding him – especially after Les Snead said he gave the Rams a “Kamara element” at running back. His rookie season came and went without much flare, however. He carried the ball 39 times for 147 yards, catching only four passes for 37 yards.
In a season where Todd Gurley missed one game and was clearly on a load management plan, it’s mind-blowing that Henderson didn’t get more opportunities. He only carried the ball 10 times in the second half of the season, with 22 of his 39 attempts coming in Weeks 7 and 8 against the lowly Bengals and Falcons.
Henderson averaged only 5.6 attempts per broken tackle, compared to Gurley’s rate of 10.6. He eluded defenders at a high rate and showed he can be an effective runner in the NFL. Next season, he deserves a larger role – whether Gurley is back or not.
OLB Ogbonnia Okoronkwo
(Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
Okoronkwo was blocked by Dante Fowler Jr., Clay Matthews and even Samson Ebukam on the depth chart this season, but Fowler may leave in free agency, Matthews could be a cap casualty and Ebukam isn’t significantly better.
In limited action, Okoronkwo showed the ability to get to the quarterback, even if he didn’t do so consistently enough to earn significant playing time. While not a refined pass rusher, he landed four quarterback hits and 1.5 sacks on only 62 snaps played from Week 7 to Week 10 (three games).
If Fowler and Matthews are both gone in 2020, expect Okoronkwo to get more opportunities at outside linebacker opposite Ebukam and whoever else the Rams bring in.
CB Darious Williams
(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Williams played extremely well down the stretch for the Rams, picking off two passes in the final two games with four total pass breakups. Carving out a role in 2020 will be tough with Jalen Ramsey, Troy Hill and Nickell Robey-Coleman all presumably starting, but he should find himself as the No. 4 cornerback on the depth chart – yes, even ahead of David Long Jr.
That’s all dependent on how each plays during camp and the preseason, of course, but Williams has ball skills that can’t be ignored. The Rams should give him an opportunity to compete with Long for snaps next season as the dime cornerback.
It’s also possible (though unlikely) the Rams decline Robey-Coleman’s option for 2020 and insert either Long or Williams in as a starter, thus moving both players up the depth chart. Again, it’s unlikely to happen, but the Rams can save $4.5 million by moving on from Robey-Coleman.
ILB Travin Howard
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
The Rams have yet to find a starting-caliber linebacker next to Cory Littleton. Howard received more playing time in the final five games of the season, and for the most part, he held up fairly well in coverage. He broke up three passes and only allowed a completion rate of 60% when targeted. He also didn’t miss a single tackle on 16 attempts.
If Littleton leaves, Howard is a candidate to replace him at inside linebacker. Even if Littleton is back, Howard will have a chance to compete for snaps next to him. The Rams frequently gave those snaps to safety Marqui Christian, but they need a legitimate linebacker to take over that role next season.
4 Rams players who could earn bigger roles in 2020
Darrell Henderson should be a bigger part of the offense next season.
theramswire.usatoday.com