That point keeps iterating in my mind as well, whether it be Austin running up the middle, Brown and Dunbar's health, Gurley getting most if not all of the snaps and a reluctance to rush the football yet the draft Sam Rogers and put him on the practice squad.
7th round or not, what role did they have in mind when they drafted him?
Good Question here..... IMO Sam was drafted to play the Move Back Derek Carrier role. McVay was able to get Carrier & that pushed Sam out of the 2017 picture. Sam was never going to be anything other than a 2 to 3 carry a game role. I also think he was drafted to be a special teams player but up to this time there has not been any real need of course all of this is positive not negative on Sam.
One would expect that McVay will try to resign Derek Carrier when his contract end here in 3 months too. I would also think that Sam will be offered a 2018 contract too econo valued. Sam is sure to be that much better & bigger when the 2018 TC gets under way where he will get an opportunity to have a bigger role with this team .
Both Lance Dunbar & Malcolm Brown will enter the FA'cy but Dunbar is sure to not return whereas Brown will be a highly likely resign.Dunbar $1.5 million spent for his non services is sure to leave a bad taste in the Ram Org. His knee must be damaged far more than anyone thought. But the Dallas Cowboys knew. Sam has a better chance to play if he can play RB/FB position.
Next season the Rams stand to bring
five MCVay type TE/Move Backs...Gerald Everett, Tyler Higbee, Temarrick Hemingway, Derek Carrier & Johnny Mundt. Not much room for Sam to get much room here but he will get a chance With the possible departures of 3 Ram RB's by 2018 regular season beginning .
Gurley will already enter his 4th season in 2018 & is sure to get his 5th yr first round extension or a complete new multi million $5 yr contract @ sometime in late 2018. Rams will need to make plans to reduce his work load in the 2nd & 3rd quarters of the Game. Gurley has taken a beating thus far but remains operational thanks to Dunbar's MIA action & Brown bad knee.
If Austin Davis fails to pick up the #1 priority assignment of a Ram RB....
last line of protection for Goff then Davis will be joining the WWC's when the 2018 season begins. Rams do have 5 or 6 third day draft selections where they can replace all three of this season roster spots ...Lance Dunbar, Austin Davis & Tavon Austin if desired.
Here's just one Draft site's comments on this Ram 6th rd selection:
A little ball of aggression. Able to play on all three downs. Has experience as ball carrier, pass catcher, pass protector and lead blocker. Can block from multiple sets and formations. Consistently productive for three consecutive years. Low center of gravity provides additional power as a runner. Carries good acceleration and knee bend to his target. Viable play-action pass catching fullback. Gives good effort as a blocker. Able to stuff and seal on down blocks from wingback spot.
