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http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...down-and-depth-chart-analysis-at-running-back
St. Louis Rams: Full Position Breakdown and Depth Chart Analysis at Running Back
By Travis Wakeman, Featured Columnist Jun 25, 2015
With Sam Bradford suffering a season-ending injury before the season even started in 2014, the St. Louis Rams were left with Shaun Hill and Austin Davis to run the offense. That made establishing a high-powered passing game pretty tough.
On paper, the Rams weren't very effective running the ball either. They were ranked 20th in terms of total rushing yards, but that number may be a bit deceiving. The Rams averaged 4.1 yards per rush attempt, and when they focused on pounding the ball at their opponents, the team found plenty of success.
Tre Mason, then a rookie, was able to show glimpses of being a very effective back in the league for years to come. Though he only gained 765 yards on the season, he averaged 4.3 yards per attempt and ran with a purpose.
Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images
Mason also did that in limited opportunities, as the Rams never had a true No. 1 running back until he emerged toward the end of the season. Zac Stacy was supposed to be that player, but he flopped following a solid rookie year and was traded to the New York Jets this offseason.
With the success of Mason, the Rams should be a team that is committed to establishing a dominant rushing attack in 2015. That theory was given more fuel when the Rams used the No. 10 overall pick in the draft to snag Todd Gurley out of Georgia.
Where does that leave Mason? Will he and Gurley be used as a combination to throw at opposing defenses, or will Mason's snaps be limited as he works behind the rookie?
What about the depth the team has behind these players? Do they have quality backups? Is there a guy that is flying under the radar who could have a tremendous showing in training camp and make a push for the final roster?
We will answer those questions here as we break down the running back position in St. Louis.
First-Tier Running Backs
Gurley has as much talent as any player in the entire draft. The Rams are going to enjoy having him in the backfield. When you look at Gurley's game film, it becomes clear very early that there isn't much he can't do.
Gurley can be a pounding runner that can wear down a defense with his physical style. On the very next carry, he can take it the distance for a touchdown. He possesses very good speed and vision and shows an excellent burst to the hole.
He's also a good receiver out of the backfield and is willing to step in and help out in blitz pickup. That will keep him on the field in all situations.
As a result, Mason will likely see a reduced role. He will be able to come in and spell Gurley and give him a quick breather, but when healthy, Gurley is a player the Rams won't want to take off the field very often, as he can do it all.
Running back was probably not seen as a huge need for the Rams entering the draft, but the selection of Gurley shows that the team wants a franchise back. Gurley's skills should also be a welcome addition for incoming quarterback Nick Foles.
Behind Gurley and Mason will be Benny Cunningham and Isaiah Pead.
Cunningham will be entering his third season, and his role as a utility back off the bench should not change. He has ran for 507 yards in his first two seasons in the league, but his ability as a receiver can't go unnoticed. Cunningham made 45 receptions in 2014, coming up big for a team that experienced plenty of problems at the quarterback position, and acting as a security blanket in many situations.
Cunningham will almost certainly enter the season as the team's No. 3 running back. He will be a player that the Rams will show plenty of confidence in if they have to turn to him due to injury or poor performance.
As for Pead, he sits at No. 4 on the depth chart, but that is a very tentative spot. He absolutely must show something during camp or he won't just lose his spot in the lineup, he'll likely be looking for a job elsewhere.
Drafted in the second round in 2012,Pead came into the league with plenty of promise after playing at the University of Cincinnati. He has yet to do anything in the NFL, and missing the entire 2014 season with an injury didn't help his cause.
Now Pead is in a clear make-or-break situation. He will have to prove that he still has the ability to be worth a spot on the final roster. At the very least, he'll need to make an impact on special teams. However, there is a host of young, hungry running backs sitting lower on the depth chart who Pead will have to fend off in camp and preseason games.
Second-Tier Running Backs
Watts might have been a guy that the Rams could develop and mold into a productive NFL running back, but it will be hard to justify keeping him on the roster with the suspension looming. On the plus side, he is able to participate in all offseason activities and preseason games, so if Watts shows enough in those opportunities, he might convince the Rams to keep him around.
That will be a tough sell, though.
St. Louis Rams: Full Position Breakdown and Depth Chart Analysis at Running Back
By Travis Wakeman, Featured Columnist Jun 25, 2015
With Sam Bradford suffering a season-ending injury before the season even started in 2014, the St. Louis Rams were left with Shaun Hill and Austin Davis to run the offense. That made establishing a high-powered passing game pretty tough.
On paper, the Rams weren't very effective running the ball either. They were ranked 20th in terms of total rushing yards, but that number may be a bit deceiving. The Rams averaged 4.1 yards per rush attempt, and when they focused on pounding the ball at their opponents, the team found plenty of success.
Tre Mason, then a rookie, was able to show glimpses of being a very effective back in the league for years to come. Though he only gained 765 yards on the season, he averaged 4.3 yards per attempt and ran with a purpose.
Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images
Mason also did that in limited opportunities, as the Rams never had a true No. 1 running back until he emerged toward the end of the season. Zac Stacy was supposed to be that player, but he flopped following a solid rookie year and was traded to the New York Jets this offseason.
With the success of Mason, the Rams should be a team that is committed to establishing a dominant rushing attack in 2015. That theory was given more fuel when the Rams used the No. 10 overall pick in the draft to snag Todd Gurley out of Georgia.
Where does that leave Mason? Will he and Gurley be used as a combination to throw at opposing defenses, or will Mason's snaps be limited as he works behind the rookie?
What about the depth the team has behind these players? Do they have quality backups? Is there a guy that is flying under the radar who could have a tremendous showing in training camp and make a push for the final roster?
We will answer those questions here as we break down the running back position in St. Louis.
First-Tier Running Backs
- Todd Gurley
- Tre Mason
- Benny Cunningham
- Isaiah Pead
Gurley has as much talent as any player in the entire draft. The Rams are going to enjoy having him in the backfield. When you look at Gurley's game film, it becomes clear very early that there isn't much he can't do.
Gurley can be a pounding runner that can wear down a defense with his physical style. On the very next carry, he can take it the distance for a touchdown. He possesses very good speed and vision and shows an excellent burst to the hole.
He's also a good receiver out of the backfield and is willing to step in and help out in blitz pickup. That will keep him on the field in all situations.
As a result, Mason will likely see a reduced role. He will be able to come in and spell Gurley and give him a quick breather, but when healthy, Gurley is a player the Rams won't want to take off the field very often, as he can do it all.
Running back was probably not seen as a huge need for the Rams entering the draft, but the selection of Gurley shows that the team wants a franchise back. Gurley's skills should also be a welcome addition for incoming quarterback Nick Foles.
Behind Gurley and Mason will be Benny Cunningham and Isaiah Pead.
Cunningham will be entering his third season, and his role as a utility back off the bench should not change. He has ran for 507 yards in his first two seasons in the league, but his ability as a receiver can't go unnoticed. Cunningham made 45 receptions in 2014, coming up big for a team that experienced plenty of problems at the quarterback position, and acting as a security blanket in many situations.
Cunningham will almost certainly enter the season as the team's No. 3 running back. He will be a player that the Rams will show plenty of confidence in if they have to turn to him due to injury or poor performance.
As for Pead, he sits at No. 4 on the depth chart, but that is a very tentative spot. He absolutely must show something during camp or he won't just lose his spot in the lineup, he'll likely be looking for a job elsewhere.
Drafted in the second round in 2012,Pead came into the league with plenty of promise after playing at the University of Cincinnati. He has yet to do anything in the NFL, and missing the entire 2014 season with an injury didn't help his cause.
Now Pead is in a clear make-or-break situation. He will have to prove that he still has the ability to be worth a spot on the final roster. At the very least, he'll need to make an impact on special teams. However, there is a host of young, hungry running backs sitting lower on the depth chart who Pead will have to fend off in camp and preseason games.
Second-Tier Running Backs
- Trey Watts
- Malcolm Brown
- Chase Reynolds
- Terrence Franks
- Zach Laskey
Watts might have been a guy that the Rams could develop and mold into a productive NFL running back, but it will be hard to justify keeping him on the roster with the suspension looming. On the plus side, he is able to participate in all offseason activities and preseason games, so if Watts shows enough in those opportunities, he might convince the Rams to keep him around.
That will be a tough sell, though.
