Countdown to Camp: Rams have depth at running back behind Todd Gurley

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CGI_Ram

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https://www.therams.com/news/countdown-to-camp-rams-have-depth-at-running-back-behind-todd-gurley

Countdown to Camp: Rams have depth at running back behind Todd Gurley

As the calendar reaches July 18, we’re just over a week away from veterans reporting to training camp down at UC Irvine.

That also means we’re getting down to the last few positions in our Countdown to Camp. In this edition, let’s take a look at the room headed by Todd Gurley.

RUNNING BACKS

Newcomers: Darrell Henderson, Matt Colbum

The Rams have been home to some of the best running backs of all time, like Hall of Famers Eric Dickerson and Marshall Faulk. And with his last two seasons, Gurley has proven that if his career continues on the same trajectory, he deserves to be in that conversation.

The 2015 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year and 2017 AP Offensive Player of the Year, Gurley has accounted for 3,924 yards from scrimmage and a whopping 40 touchdowns over the last two seasons. Thirty of those touchdowns have come on the ground, and 10 through the air.

While there has been plenty of discussion surrounding the health of Gurley’s knee over the course of the offseason, he’ll be able to answer all of those questions starting with training camp — where he’s expected to participate, according to head coach Sean McVay.

Malcolm Brown finished the 2018 season on injured reserve with a clavicle injury, but he’ll be a key depth piece for Los Angeles this season. The Rams matched an offer Brown received from the Lions as a restricted free agent, putting Brown under contract with L.A. through the 2020 season. Brown averaged 4.9 yards per carry in 2018 and 10.4 yards per reception.

McVay mentioned wanting to add another explosive, versatile weapon to the offense earlier in the offseason, and Los Angeles appears to have done so with rookie running back Darrell Henderson. The Memphis product averaged 8.9 yards per carry as both a sophomore and junior at the college level, and can also be a pass-catcher out of the backfield. Based on his versatility, he may give the Rams a few more options when it comes to personnel groupings.

Heading into his third season out of USC, Justin Davis has mainly been a special teams contributor when he’s been active on gameday. He’s spent the last two years on Los Angeles’ 53-man roster, but hasn’t always been a part of the gameday 46.

It’s a similar story for 2018 sixth-round pick John Kelly, though he did take 27 carries for 74 yards late in the season.

Rounding out the group, the Rams signed Matt Colbum as an undrafted free agent out of Wake Forest during the spring.
 

BonifayRam

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https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2019/...ack-depth-chart-todd-gurley-darrell-henderson

Rams roster preview: RB John Kelly running it back


The Rams drafted a running back and brought back Malcolm Brown. Is the wall in front of him on the depth chart too tough for Kelly to run through it?

By EddieP@iAmEddieP_ Jul 22, 2019, 3:00pm CDT

usa_today_11128977.0.jpg
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Rams RB John Kelly is fasho nice on the skateboard (have y’all seen his skating videos on Instagram?), but can he bring that level of swag to the football field?

As a rookie out of Tennessee last year, Kelly lit up the preseason but did not see the field much in 2018 aside from the occasional special teams snap. In a jam-packed position group, he will need to show more.

*Roster Battle
Kelly finds himself at the lower end of the RB depth chart. Joining him are third-year pro Justin Davis and undrafted free agent rookie Matt Colburn (roster preview). Ahead of them are the “next men up,” veteran backup Malcolm Brown and 2019 NFL Draft third-round pick Darrell Henderson.

As for Kelly and the two other cats, he his vying for that fourth spot as the likely final RB slot.

Expectations
Expectations for JK in Year 2 are quite simple: more!

We need to find out what type of a quantity Kelly is. Is his floor/ceiling that of a special teamer? Is he a change of pace, back up? Who knows.

Chances of making the final roster (3/10)
He has to beat out Davis and the other UDFA rookie for what seems like the last spot on the RB group. He’s got an advantage with a year under his belt in the offense. I’m not sure that will be enough for the former sixth-rounder.
 

Memento

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Kelly will make this team over Davis and Colburn. Davis is a hometown favorite, but he's injury-prone and not as good of a blocker as Kelly is. Colburn, I'm not sure about.
 

nighttrain

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When Gurley was hurt last season, so much was thot of Kelly that they brought in a guy off the streets, I'm a Davis fan, but let the coaches figure this out in camp. Let the duels begin.
train
 

Memento

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When Gurley was hurt last season, so much was thot of Kelly that they brought in a guy off the streets, I'm a Davis fan, but let the coaches figure this out in camp. Let the duels begin.
train

Don't forget that Malcolm Brown went on IR around the same time Gurley struggled. They needed a veteran running back for the playoffs.
 

Ram65

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Kelly has that quick burst at the line and in the screen game. However, Henderson has an exceptional burst through the line like a launched missile. Brown is a very good backup for TG but, he has to stay healthy. Henderson is a change of pace plus running back who will get the ball as a rookie because he is explosive. Kelly has to show he can pick up blitzes and be ready if needed. I liked his running in preseason last year.
 

BonifayRam

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When Gurley was hurt last season, so much was thot of Kelly that they brought in a guy off the streets, I'm a Davis fan, but let the coaches figure this out in camp. Let the duels begin.
train
Davis when used in pre season has shown he can run with the best of them I love to watch him run....however he lacks the complete package in blitz pickups & staying healthy. When, the Rams needed him with Gurley issues & Browns IR event Davis ran the ball one time & came up lame. Was not seen again. I have BIG issues with that. He can not keep himself healthy. Was he not injured a lot in College?

Kelly could easily secure his roster spot if he can demonstrate he can be a good punt returner behind JoJo.
 

oldnotdead

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Kelly played well on ST's and IMO thats really all he is. He was brought in with the hopes he could be what Henderson is expected to be. But it was clear from his limited snaps that he isn't that kind of player, hence the need to draft Henderson. Kelly has below average speed for a RB in the NFL. You would like them to be at least 4.5 type of runners. Kelly runs a 4.69 but he has a very good burst which is what he relies upon to get through holes. That worked in college but not so much in the NFL. Both Colburn and Davis aren't much faster if at all. Both of these guys would have to play lights out in preseason to beat out Kelly, simply because Kelly is established on ST's.

But if someone becomes available on the waiver wire Kelly isn't that secure. In other words I think Kelly is a place holder right now until they find a better option. With Brown at #2 and Henderson at #3 there is no hurry at this point.