Darrell Henderson's injury could open door for undrafted RB Xavier Jones

[ROD-BOT]

Darrell Henderson's injury could open door for undrafted RB Xavier Jones

Xavier Jones might have a chance to make the 53-man roster if Darrell Henderson is out a while.

theramswire.usatoday.com

Darrell Henderson's injury could open door for undrafted RB Xavier Jones

Running back depth will be more important this season than in recent years now that Todd Gurley is gone. With Gurley on the roster, he got the bulk of the carries, leaving very few opportunities for the backups.

Now that the Rams will use more of a committee approach, they could go four-deep on the 53-man roster and utilize each player. Darrell Henderson Jr. is a lock for the final roster, but his hamstring injury could sideline him until the season opener.

That may afford undrafted rookie Xavier Jones the chance to earn a spot on the 53-man roster instead of the practice squad. Regardless of whether Henderson misses two weeks or a month, Jones’ opportunities just increased.

He scored a touchdown in the scrimmage and got more chances to carry the ball with Henderson sidelined. Sean McVay acknowledged Sunday that the other backs on the roster will get more opportunities now that Henderson is injured, including Jones.

“Like anything else, it means more reps for cam for Malcolm (Brown), for Jones and John Kelly,” he said. “And so (RBs coach) Thomas Brown has done a great job with those guys. They’ll get more reps and then we’ll be excited when we can get Darrell back on the field, but it is an unfortunate setback for him.”

Jones wasn’t a highly touted prospect out of college and didn’t even receive an invite to the NFL Scouting Combine. He wasn’t able to hold a pro day at SMU, either, which limited his exposure even more.

He should’ve been on the national radar, however, after rushing for 1,276 yards and 23 touchdowns as a senior in 2019 and being named one of the 10 Doak Walker Award semifinalists for the best running back in the country.

If you pop on the tape and watch some of his highlights, you’ll see a player with great vision and enough speed to get to the edge and make plays. He may not be the fastest running back around, but his speed still allows him to separate from defenders in the open field.



View: https://youtu.be/40ZbSwpUzPc


His patience and vision are his best attributes, and on this 62-yard touchdown run last year, he showcased his speed, too.



View: https://twitter.com/espncfb/status/1187532438429302784?s=21

Running back is a position that often yields productive players who went undrafted, too, because the transition from college to the NFL isn’t as difficult for tailbacks as it can be for other spots like tight end and offensive tackle.

If Jones can slip through the door that just creaked open with Henderson going down, he might just make it on the 53-man roster as the fourth running back. It’s still an “if,” but he was one of the better undrafted rookies to come from the 2020 class.

 

[Merlin]

Jones is a squirrely bastard. I'm thinking he has a fair shot at the RB4 spot.

 

[dang]

I think he will at least get full consideration for a roster spot. Looks like he may have sealed RB4 anyways.

 

[LARams_1963]

Just cause I don't feel like doing the research... was our last 53 man RB from SMU actually ED?

 

[Loyal]

Just cause I don't feel like doing the research... was our last 53 man RB from SMU actually ED?

*takes 1963's fan card....

 

[Dxmissile]

Don’t kill me but I like him better than Cam.

 

[RamDino]

Don’t kill me but I like him better than Cam.

I haven't seen enough of Cam Akers to make a call either way, but Henderson reminded me of a smaller Todd Gurley last year. I really thought he was going to be very good last year. Hope he gets his act together because this injury bug is getting a little tiresome. I don't expect him to play hurt, but I was surprised at how little he played last year. That alone has to tell us something.

 

[Dxmissile]

I was never a fan of Henderson when we drafted him. I hope he proves me wrong but right now he’s headed to bust category. But I feel like Jones just has that it Factor he’s compact he’s sturdy got enough speed and vision and he just hard to tackle. He gets low behind his pads and setup his blockers very good. And his footwork is incredible

 

[oldnotdead]

I think Jones is a better prospect in Kelly who simply lacks breakaway speed. Also, from Kelly's playing time I question his field vision, I didn't like his field vision and IMO he left yards on the field.

Jones appears to have good field vision and although his 4.5 speed is good it's hardly elite especially in the NFL. He's a scheme fit for this offense as he has shown good hands as a receiver. His running style isn't particularly elusive but he does have the ability to change direction in his runs coupled with good acceleration he can be effective not just outside but inside as well.

If the choice is between Kelly and Jones, it's no contest IMO. Jones simply has a higher ceiling than Kelly and he looks the part of a #4 RB. Jones definitely gives them an option to Brown not just next year but this year as well, as he is a much better scheme fit for McVay's offense.

Brown is in a contract year and not likely to be resigned. I doubt he would bring a compensatory pick. His cap hit is $1.3 but he only has a $50K dead cap. I feel that had Henderson not been injured, especially with a hamstring which has a tendency to nag all year, the Rams might have released Brown and gone with only 3 RBs. This would have allowed them to carry 7 WRs this year with an eye on next year when I think Josh Reynolds won't be resigned. They still might depending, upon the severity of Henderson's hamstring.

This season has the potential for lots of moving parts, all complicated by COVID dictating maintaining greater depth at the skill positions.

 

[oldnotdead]

I was never a fan of Henderson when we drafted him. I hope he proves me wrong but right now he’s headed to bust category. But I feel like Jones just has that it Factor he’s compact he’s sturdy got enough speed and vision and he just hard to tackle. He gets low behind his pads and setup his blockers very good. And his footwork is incredible

I don't think Henderson is a bust at all. Just like I don't think Ackers was drafted to replace him. The Rams found out they needed more than one bell cow RB for this offense. They needed multiple RBs who were scheme fits. I do think Jones was signed with an eye on replacing Brown. Whether that happens is now debatable with Henderson's injury. But certainly next year I can see that happening.

Last year Henderson ran behind a very poor o-line yet he still flashed. Enough in my opinion to validate his drafting in the 3rd round. Jones has done nothing yet and the "grass is greener" syndrome is in full effect I get it. But Jones at this point is all about potential. There is no way I think he's better at this point than Ackers or Henderson. Henderson is faster and more elusive. Remember, in college Jone's 4.51 is fast for a RB but in the NFL it's average. In the NFL Jones does not have breakaway speed and without elusiveness to avoid tackles, he's going to have to show he can consistently break tackles. I do think he has enough agility to be successful in the NFL but that has yet to be shown. Right now I think the Rams got exactly what they wanted, a #3 RB for the next few years post Brown.

Like all rookies, Jones would benefit from a year in the NFL to polish but more importantly acclimate to the NFL style of play and the speed of the game.

 

[Loyal]

Don’t kill me but I like him better than Cam.

You SONOFA!!!!!

 

[MadGoat]

Just cause I don't feel like doing the research... was our last 53 man RB from SMU actually ED?

Almost certainly. After James and Dupard left, almost no other SMU backs have played in the NFL.

Zach Line is the only one I can think of, and he converted to FB.

 

[Dxmissile]

I don't think Henderson is a bust at all. Just like I don't think Ackers was drafted to replace him. The Rams found out they needed more than one bell cow RB for this offense. They needed multiple RBs who were scheme fits. I do think Jones was signed with an eye on replacing Brown. Whether that happens is now debatable with Henderson's injury. But certainly next year I can see that happening.

Last year Henderson ran behind a very poor o-line yet he still flashed. Enough in my opinion to validate his drafting in the 3rd round. Jones has done nothing yet and the "grass is greener" syndrome is in full effect I get it. But Jones at this point is all about potential. There is no way I think he's better at this point than Ackers or Henderson. Henderson is faster and more elusive. Remember, in college Jone's 4.51 is fast for a RB but in the NFL it's average. In the NFL Jones does not have breakaway speed and without elusiveness to avoid tackles, he's going to have to show he can consistently break tackles. I do think he has enough agility to be successful in the NFL but that has yet to be shown. Right now I think the Rams got exactly what they wanted, a #3 RB for the next few years post Brown.

Like all rookies, Jones would benefit from a year in the NFL to polish but more importantly acclimate to the NFL style of play and the speed of the game.

To be fair all 3 are nothing but potential. He had a couple good runs but he didn’t flash at all imo. You couple that with injuries and he is definitely more potential than product.

4.51 might be average for a running back but agility his stop start speed his GAME speed makes him faster than that. I’m only going off what I see on tape like all of us but I’m just saying I won’t be surprised if Jones end up being that GUY for us this year.

 

[LA_Rams_#29]

Even before Henderson got hurt, Jones had a decent shot to beat out Kelly for the 4th RB

 

[EasyE]

Emmitt Smith had 4.6 speed...that worked out ok....

 

[gogoat1]

How is Cam A doing this camp ?

 

[Snaz]

Emmitt Smith had 4.6 speed...that worked out ok....

That was going to be my comment. Thief!

 

[Ram65]

X has a chance to be the 4th RB. He has a great stop and go move with good vision.

Henderson needs to stay healthy. He showed some explosiveness and power in the little playing time he got last year. I'm far from giving up on him. Rams training staff does great work so hopefully, they can get him back before the Dallas game. Henderson is still an explosive RB that just needs to stay healthy to be a big factor for the Rams.

 

[den-the-coach]

Emmitt Smith had 4.6 speed...that worked out ok....

JLMK when the Rams have the Dallas Offensive Line of the 90's and I won't care if Little Lord Fauntleroy is running the ball.

 

[PhillyRam]

Starting to wonder if Henderson becomes another Lamar Gordon?

A guy with ability, but just can't get it all together.