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Rams draft preview: Running back
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/17841/rams-draft-preview-running-back
EARTH CITY, Mo. -- The NFL draft is set to begin April 30 and the St. Louis Rams hold six picks in this year's selection process. For the next week and a half, we'll take a look at a different position every day with what the Rams have in place at a position, what they need, when they might address it and some possible fits.
We continue the countdown with a look at this year's crop of running backs.
In place: Tre Mason, Benny Cunningham, Zac Stacy, Isaiah Pead, Trey Watts, Chase Reynolds.
What's needed: The Rams and coach Jeff Fisher continue to preach the importance of a power running game. It's supposedly the foundation of the offense though that group hasn't been able to run the ball consistently since Fisher arrived in 2012. That's been especially true in division road games. But the Rams have spent plenty of draft capital on backs since Fisher arrived, taking Pead in the second round in 2012, Stacy in the fifth round in 2013 and Mason in the third round in 2014. Stacy once looked like the future at the position until the Rams drafted Mason. Now, as we head toward 2015, it's Mason that looks like he's settled into the starting role. But while Mason has flashed potential as a home run hitter out of the backfield, he was inconsistent when it came to moving the pile and picking up the tough yards from down to down. It's possible that upgrades on the offensive line can help Mason gain that consistency but it's also not out of the question that the Rams could still be in the hunt for a true every-down back capable of making their running game what Fisher wants it to be.
Possible fits: Any team that needs a running back is in luck this year as this class is one of the best running back groups to come along in awhile. In fact, this class is so good that there might be more than one back that actually lands in the first round despite the so-called devaluation of running backs. Headlining the list is Georgia's Todd Gurley, who were it not for questions about his knee would probably be considered a top 15 or even top 10 pick. Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon isn't far behind and also could crack the first round. Even after that duo, there is plenty of value to be found in the likes of Miami's Duke Johnson, Nebraska's Ameer Abdullah, Boise State's Jay Ajayi, Indiana's Tevin Coleman, Alabama's T.J. Yeldon and Michigan State's Jeremy Langford.
Verdict: Since 2000, Fisher-coached teams have taken a running back in every draft except two, including all three years in St. Louis. Last year, it seemed the Rams would eschew the position but they believed that Mason represented value too good to pass up when he was still available in the third round. In a deep and talented class this year, it wouldn't surprise if a similar situation played out. And it's probably best to not completely rule out possible interest in Gurley. There are those at Rams Park who believe Gurley is the best running back prospect to come out in years, and though No. 10 is probably too high for him given his injury history, he might be in play in a possible trade-down scenario. Either way, it's probably a good bet that the Rams take a back at some point before the draft is over.
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/17841/rams-draft-preview-running-back
EARTH CITY, Mo. -- The NFL draft is set to begin April 30 and the St. Louis Rams hold six picks in this year's selection process. For the next week and a half, we'll take a look at a different position every day with what the Rams have in place at a position, what they need, when they might address it and some possible fits.
We continue the countdown with a look at this year's crop of running backs.
In place: Tre Mason, Benny Cunningham, Zac Stacy, Isaiah Pead, Trey Watts, Chase Reynolds.
What's needed: The Rams and coach Jeff Fisher continue to preach the importance of a power running game. It's supposedly the foundation of the offense though that group hasn't been able to run the ball consistently since Fisher arrived in 2012. That's been especially true in division road games. But the Rams have spent plenty of draft capital on backs since Fisher arrived, taking Pead in the second round in 2012, Stacy in the fifth round in 2013 and Mason in the third round in 2014. Stacy once looked like the future at the position until the Rams drafted Mason. Now, as we head toward 2015, it's Mason that looks like he's settled into the starting role. But while Mason has flashed potential as a home run hitter out of the backfield, he was inconsistent when it came to moving the pile and picking up the tough yards from down to down. It's possible that upgrades on the offensive line can help Mason gain that consistency but it's also not out of the question that the Rams could still be in the hunt for a true every-down back capable of making their running game what Fisher wants it to be.
Possible fits: Any team that needs a running back is in luck this year as this class is one of the best running back groups to come along in awhile. In fact, this class is so good that there might be more than one back that actually lands in the first round despite the so-called devaluation of running backs. Headlining the list is Georgia's Todd Gurley, who were it not for questions about his knee would probably be considered a top 15 or even top 10 pick. Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon isn't far behind and also could crack the first round. Even after that duo, there is plenty of value to be found in the likes of Miami's Duke Johnson, Nebraska's Ameer Abdullah, Boise State's Jay Ajayi, Indiana's Tevin Coleman, Alabama's T.J. Yeldon and Michigan State's Jeremy Langford.
Verdict: Since 2000, Fisher-coached teams have taken a running back in every draft except two, including all three years in St. Louis. Last year, it seemed the Rams would eschew the position but they believed that Mason represented value too good to pass up when he was still available in the third round. In a deep and talented class this year, it wouldn't surprise if a similar situation played out. And it's probably best to not completely rule out possible interest in Gurley. There are those at Rams Park who believe Gurley is the best running back prospect to come out in years, and though No. 10 is probably too high for him given his injury history, he might be in play in a possible trade-down scenario. Either way, it's probably a good bet that the Rams take a back at some point before the draft is over.