Running Back

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We have two injury prone but exciting running backs in the stable. The good thing is that you can find a good to great running back in the later rounds, see what Shanahan has been able to find. I’m not worried about the position and I definitely don’t want us spending good money to keep Michel.
 
We have two injury prone but exciting running backs in the stable. The good thing is that you can find a good to great running back in the later rounds, see what Shanahan has been able to find. I’m not worried about the position and I definitely don’t want us spending good money to keep Michel.
Feel the same about Michel. Really like what he provides for us. But for the love of God, please don't spend money on a RB when we have other areas to improve.
 
I love Akers, Henderson, and Michel…who will most likely leave for free agency. Funk is possibly exciting. But…….other than Michel, all of our backs are not durable. It would nice to add a bigger back with some speed and durability. Are there any out there that can be had in the mid rounds of the draft?
After Gurley’s demise how can the Rams see Funk as anything other than a Special teams player? Relying on him as a third string back is folly.

They need another RB out of this draft. Preferably someone who can play power back. I don’t like these small runningbacks taking a pounding as a feature back.
 
Rams had a chance to keep a big size RB but let him go in Buddy Howell. He is now a 26 yr old UFA.

Rams do have other RB's under contract in Javian Hawkins (TN/ATL), Raymond Calais has been a Ram for 2 seasons after being drafted by the TB Bucs & Xavier Jones who also have been a Ram for 2 seasons after being UDFA in 2020.

So the Rams RB room is currently looking like these six will be here going into the draft:

Darrell Henderson
Javian Hawkins
Xavier Jones
Cam Akers
Jake Funk
Raymond Calais
 
I see us taking one or two in the mid rounds and I'd like to see an open competition to start the camp though Akers will likely end up getting first dibs. I'm also interested in seeing a healthy Jake Funk get some touches.

Someone really stepping up and taking our run game to another level would make us practically untouchable.
 
Having our 4th team TE as the only healthy TE lined up in the 2nd half of the SB would cause our running game to appear weak.

So I am not as concerned as most others as the RB being at top need.

You get a healthy trio of Higbee, Mundt, Blanton & Kyle Markway helping that OL will make a significant difference.
 
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Having our 4th team TE as the only healthy TE lined up in the 2nd half of the SB would cause our running game to appear weak.

So I not as concerned as most others as the RB being at top need.

You get a healthy trio of Higbee, Mundt, and Kendall Blanton helping that Ol out will make a significant difference.
Having our 4th team TE as the only healthy TE lined up in the 2nd half of the SB would cause our running game to appear weak.

So I not as concerned as most others as the RB being at top need.

You get a healthy trio of Higbee, Mundt, and Kendall Blanton helping that Ol out will make a significant difference.
 
I don't share the enthusiasm for our running back room.

Michel' s physical running was critical to our midseason recovery from our 3 game swoon.

However, Michel is a free agent and we'd be better served if we got a punishing back with burst. We saw in the playoffs that we lacked a power back with the ability to also run outside the tackles and to either run over or around tacklers when tough yards were needed, someone who can make the first tackler miss.

In the playoffs, our opponents' defensive lines ran tight formations to fill the gaps and our inerior offensive line wasn't able to generate any push.

We need a power back with burst, a player who can drive the pile on short yardage, a back who can put more pressure on defences and keep defences honest by making 3rd down and 4 or 5 into a possible running down.

We could use a punishing, physical component to our offence, a runner who can gain yards even on clear running downs.
 
Every single one of our rbs is injury prone. I think the increased use of Hendo over Michel in the Super bowl really showed what mcvay thinks of hendo, regardless of his injury history. I thought he might be on his way out, but I think we keep him for cheap and maybe Michel hits FA. Hendo has more burst and has shown good hands in the passing game compared to Michel, which we have been lacking since Gurley.

So what has changed??

Anyway I’ve said it from the start & have had it pegged from the beginning. Cam Akers goes down & then what happened?

Yes it was obvious,but on what Les Snead & Mcvay thought.It played out once X. Jones got hurt though. Calis was also hurt.

I don’t know what will happen,but it took awhile before Sony got his chance even Akers being out.

Sony was(is) still a RB type I think The Rams need. M. Brown was that back & CJ Anderson was the guy when Brown got hurt & Gurley started to show real wear & tear.

Gurley’s pass catching hasn’t been missed though? Cam & HENDO have shown good hands catching the ball.
Sony.
Pass Pro is a concern & Akers was The Rams biggest RB after the 2021 draft. Sony was a blessing,but there was rumors the trade was going to happen if things aligned.

What will Sony cost & does he bring a comp pick ? Time will deal & then by then needs for draft pick by position will start to playout.
 
I don't share the enthusiasm for our running back room.

Michel' s physical running was critical to our midseason recovery from our 3 game swoon.

However, Michel is a free agent and we'd be better served if we got a punishing back with burst. We saw in the playoffs that we lacked a power back with the ability to also run outside the tackles and to either run over or around tacklers when tough yards were needed, someone who can make the first tackler miss.

In the playoffs, our opponents' defensive lines ran tight formations to fill the gaps and our inerior offensive line wasn't able to generate any push.

We need a power back with burst, a player who can drive the pile on short yardage, a back who can put more pressure on defences and keep defences honest by making 3rd down and 4 or 5 into a possible running down.

We could use a punishing, physical component to our offence, a runner who can gain yards even on clear running downs.

Well I won’t under estimate Cam Akers!! Having a blocking TE’s
will make a difference as well.
 
I love Akers, Henderson, and Michel…who will most likely leave for free agency. Funk is possibly exciting. But…….other than Michel, all of our backs are not durable. It would nice to add a bigger back with some speed and durability. Are there any out there that can be had in the mid rounds of the draft?
Dameon Pierce is 5'9" 220. He's quicker than fast, but he runs like a tank, catches the ball well, and is a great pass blocker. Brian Robinson Jr. also isn't very fast, but he runs extremely hard and can contribute in the passing game. Abram Smith is a violent runner as well.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kSRAkkuKiY


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuHLDYw9WaY


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvEBQV2WxeU
 
Dameon Pierce is 5'9" 220. He's quicker than fast, but he runs like a tank, catches the ball well, and is a great pass blocker. Brian Robinson Jr. also isn't very fast, but he runs extremely hard and can contribute in the passing game. Abram Smith is a violent runner as well.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kSRAkkuKiY


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuHLDYw9WaY


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvEBQV2WxeU

Thank you man, appreciate your research
 
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Oh how things have changed since I was a kid. Running backs have become interchangeable & sadly disposable unless you’re a top 5 IMO.

The grouping of Akers, Henderson and Michel are solid. They didn’t have a chance in the Super Bowl to run. Henderson‘s catch out of the back field was amazing. Akers last drive run was amazing and Michel did his best. A training camp for Akers & Michel will greatly improve their production.

Jones, Calais, and Funk are interchangeable IMO. A few late round additions would help for competition.

Personally, I’m more worried about the O-line, ILB and CB position heading into the off season.
 
Dameon Pierce is 5'9" 220. He's quicker than fast, but he runs like a tank, catches the ball well, and is a great pass blocker. Brian Robinson Jr. also isn't very fast, but he runs extremely hard and can contribute in the passing game. Abram Smith is a violent runner as well.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kSRAkkuKiY


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuHLDYw9WaY


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvEBQV2WxeU


Taking a break from my Tyler Badie fangirling, I also think that ZaQuandre White from South Carolina is a bigger back with speed and physicality.