What do we have in Darrell Henderson?

[Elmgrovegnome]

I love Henderson’s burst through the hole.

other than that there isn’t much to like from what we saw.

1. He’s small and already has had injuries
2. He didn’t pass block well at all
3. His long speed that was a huge plus at Memphis seemed neutralized by bigger faster NFL defenders
4. They used two third round picks on him and he barely played. Dallas drafted Henderson’s college backup later in the draft and he looked very good, was durable, and an integral part of their offense.

So was this another one of Snead’s falling in love with freakish tools, but overlooking other important factors in valuing him so high? It seems that way to me. I know many here were excited about Henderson at draft time, but I was skeptical. Running backs take a beating, even if they don’t get hit hard. Small running backs don’t fare too well in the NFL these days. If he was built like MJD, then okay but he’s not. Henderson’s running style will make for some nasty collisions.
With other needs on the line I was disappointed with this pick. I hope he can prove me wrong.

 

[BonifayRam]

Enough to know that if it were up to me I would consider utilizing the Rams top second round 2020 selection on a RB who ran for LSU who is considered slow in comparison to RB Henderson.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire Draft and Combine Prospect Profile | NFL.com

I just think whichever team picks Edwards-Helaire will have an easy 1000 yds rusher in his rookie season. Defenders can not spot this RB as he is running through the holes.

 

[Ram65]

Henderson had the high ankle sprain week 16 against the Whiners. Ankle sprains happen to running backs all too often. It was unfortunate he got that injury but, he had surgery after Christmas so he should be ready to go. I don't think the other injury was a big deal. I guess you can have some concerns but, you really never know about injuries.

He looked great to me running the ball behind a suspect offensive line. Showed his quickness and open-field moves. Get him a little hole and he will produce. He was good in college at catching the ball. I thought he would get some more chances as a pass-catcher. I really like Gurley and Henderson as a 1-2 punch. Even if the Rams let Brown go they need to find another running back. I don't see I high draft pick at the position unless he rated much high than the alternatives.

 

[Merlin]

I just think whichever team picks Edwards-Helaire will have an easy 1000 yds rusher in his rookie season. Defenders can not spot this RB as he is running through the holes.

I favor power backs like him personally. My biggest thing is guys who can maintain balance through contact, i.e. are hard to bring down. I think that element has a demoralizing effect especially when you have a lead. It's why I wanted us to bring CJ back last season in fact, and why I also love Dillon midround in this draft.

I also feel like a power back complements this offense greatly. Of course McVay seems to prefer pass catching ability, the guys I see more as the change of pace types.

Either way I'm happy as long as they get someone who can eat carries. That's what we're missing. Hendy might do that, who knows, but I feel like he's more of a Kamara type. And Kamara, btw, was far better as a change of pace in 2018 (2nd ranked SR in the league at 58%) than he was in 2019 (12th ranked SR at 52%). His DVoA dropped from 18.5% to 2.5% btw which is crazy. That corresponds with Ingram leaving for Baltimore prior to the 2019 season.

If the Rams are going to win it all this year, it will take hitting on their defensive moves this offseason, granted. But it will also take a huge resurgence in the run game. Our SR in 2018 was 57% (plus a league-best DVoA of 23.6%). In 2019 it dropped to 48%, which is bottom feeder in the league range (Gurley's DVoA was also -3.3% which is also bottom feeder range).

Biggest difference between 2018 and 2019 was the run game. So yeah, if they go get a RB at 52 I will not be surprised and will understand it. But I'd rather see a nice Edge or iOL, or dev LT and then go get Dillon who is also a nice power back later.

 

[kurtfaulk]

3. His long speed that was a huge plus at Memphis seemed neutralized by bigger faster NFL defenders

how could you tell? there was never a gaping hole he could run through so he could utilise that long speed.

.

 

[Memento]

Y'all know who I'd draft at this point. I'm telling you guys, Sewo Olonilua (TCU, 6'3", 234 lbs.) could be the power back to replace Brown.

 

[nighttrain]

Y'all know who I'd draft at this point. I'm telling you guys, Sewo Olonilua (TCU, 6'3", 234 lbs.) could be the power back to replace Brown.

awful slow 40 time, 4.7's
train

 

[Memento]

awful slow 40 time, 4.7's
train

And the forty time usually doesn't corelate to game speed. Remember what Cooper Kupp ran? How about Taylor Rapp?

Olonilua's fast enough in pads, doesn't go down easily, has been an amazing goal line/short down back for quite some time, and I bet he runs faster at TCU's Pro Day than he did at the Combine.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

how could you tell? there was never a gaping hole he could run through so he could utilise that long speed.

.

He had a few opportunities for breakaways but he didn't pull away like he did in college

 

[Zaphod]

His opportunities were limited because of his subpar pass blocking. Sean McVay prioritizes this as an aspect of unpredictability in his offense, and really that shouldn't change. So you'll see less of him until that improves, and considering that he's had a season to practice with the team.

Not worried a bit, he's running behind Gurley anyway, and they're both running behind a subpar offensive line, which is the real priority. They'll find another back, but he'll be a first down type 3rd option for sure, and likely a power running back, which could come from anywhere really, I'm guessing later in the draft.

 

[So Ram]

I don’t even know what thread to post anymore. As far as the draft goes it is anyone’s guess.

Henderson is still young & totally a big part of The Rams future.

Greg Dortch is a curious roster space. OTA’s will be big for him. The Rams just released there KR/PR guy.

John Kelly is my biggest question mark right now at the RB spot. What does he have to offer. Malcom Brown has half a foot out the door.

WR - Cook
RB- Gurley

You can’t have it both ways. How do The Rams spread there cap space ??

Rob Havenstien
Andrew Whitworth

There is a investment there, so just coaching the young lineman up is the direction I see Rhe Rams going.

Gurley has to be the guy, but Henderson will get his carries early in the season. The Rams will monitor Todd Gurley.To big of an investment.

I keep going back to the last 9er game & thinking The Rams could have made a run.
The depth on the O”Line played a big part. Of it for sure. I just think you start fresh with this group it gets a Heck of A Lot Better.
We will know more next Monday-Thursday. I even have thoughts that Gurley could even be going to Houston ?? Just a weird vibe of Gurley saying Hopkins is his Dog & now hanging with him.
I’m prepared for anything because McSnead make deals like I have not seen before.Just flash back the last 3 seasons.

Cooks
Peters
RAMsey
Fowler
Clay
Weedle
Suh
Talib
Whitworth
Snead - Goff,RG11 & draft trades as well.
It should get fun. My prediction is Whitworth & O’Line stay pretty much in tack. Henderson will be a bigger part of the offense this season.
The Rams draft a WR early, if not a RB.Gurley is key to the position.

 

[So Ram]

And the forty time usually doesn't corelate to game speed. Remember what Cooper Kupp ran? How about Taylor Rapp?

Olonilua's fast enough in pads, doesn't go down easily, has been an amazing goal line/short down back for quite some time, and I bet he runs faster at TCU's Pro Day than he did at the Combine.

True, but plays a big part of it. Ray Lewis for as long as he played showed speed doesn’t always play a great part,& Dick Sherman as well. I think the fundamentals have to be added in,& that is also why the cone drills & first 10yrds play apart.
Taylor Mays was a guy I really liked coming out of USC. He made some real good plays, but got burned a couple times.
Anyway he had the fastest time recorded,but changed it later. The thing was, was they went to ball drills & that was it. He had ZERO skill. I would have never drafted him after that. So I understand the 40,but speed does matter. You still can’t teach natural ability.

 

[oldnotdead]

LOL Those charts don't reflect the absolutely horrible o-line play. Think maybe that might influence the results of the run? Kind of hard to do much when you are dodging tackles behind the LOS.

Everything seems to point to the Rams changing their run attack scheme away from Kromer's simplistic outside zone-blocking scheme to more of a between the tackles power gap scheme. How would they use Henderson? Go back and look at how Darren Sproles was used when he was young and with the Chargers who ran that power gap scheme with Tomlinson. Change of pace / 3rd down back, and Sproles became a very valuable asset and built a great career out of it. Henderson is potentially better in that he's a bigger back, equally fast and elusive with great hands. Moreover, his physical metrics allow him to be more than a 3rd down back. He's a legitimate rotational RB capable of playing 3 downs if needed something Darren Sproles couldn't do.


The problem with the run attack last year was two-fold. Poor o-line play being the most obvious. But if you watch the tape you see that the RB's had problems adjusting during the season when Kromer tried to switch on the fly to more of an inside gap/zone scheme. They often times didn't seem to know where to look for the gaps and often times chose poorly. Both the o-line play and RB play really point to poor coaching. I know I've been harping on it for months but if you break down the plays it's very clear. It was clear to me just watching the game.

Snead and McVay have two very good RBs in Gurley and Henderson. Either one is capable of taking it to the house from anywhere on the field. That is not something you can say about most RBs and to have two is twice as good meaning there will be no drop off when rotated and the playbook doesn't change. Henderson flashed enough to know he's for real, and only needs decent o-line execution in front of him and coaching up on how to read the gaps in the scheme.

I can't believe so many people give up on a player so quickly. alm: Geez enough of this instant gratification crap. This is a team sport and a whole lot of factors go into the success or failure in a season. That type of thinking is why some franchises like the Browns are perennially circling the drain. They are constantly rebuilding, filling their rosters with names without regard to scheme fit or even a rebuilding plan.

The Rams under Snead have proved to me they have a plan and are executing it. One down season and everyone falls apart?

 

[Memento]

True, but plays a big part of it. Ray Lewis for as long as he played showed speed doesn’t always play a great part,& Dick Sherman as well. I think the fundamentals have to be added in,& that is also why the cone drills & first 10yrds play apart.
Taylor Mays was a guy I really liked coming out of USC. He made some real good plays, but got burned a couple times.
Anyway he had the fastest time recorded,but changed it later. The thing was, was they went to ball drills & that was it. He had ZERO skill. I would have never drafted him after that. So I understand the 40,but speed does matter. You still can’t teach natural ability.

And Gholston, Mamula, Tye Hill, Jason Smith, and Greg Robinson had excellent numbers in those drills. I'll take someone who's proven in situations over Combine stats. Hell, the only things that matter in the Combine are medicals and team interviews.

 

[So Ram]

And Gholston, Mamula, Tye Hill, Jason Smith, and Greg Robinson had excellent numbers in those drills. I'll take someone who's proven in situations over Combine stats. Hell, the only things that matter in the Combine are medicals and team interviews.

Gholston was undersized I thought.
Tye Hill, that was Torry Holts guy. He thought has was a draft guru. I would have Jay Cutler there. Locked in SJ39. Bulger ?? Would rather 2 QB’s. Always value there. Same with Matt Ryan over Chris Long.
—Would have traded back back with that RG111 #2 overall pick with Buffalo at the least.
—Jason Smith would have made the trade for #10 pick & the Oklahoma ex-all pro with the Saints.
All those trades were there. I always look for value.

 

[PARAM]

They've done more with less in the draft since they drafted Goff and McVay came along. I don't want to sound like I have blinders on but they've done quite well with midround picks. Kupp, Johnson, Rapp, Reynolds, Ebukam and a long list of potential....Noteboom, Allen, Evans, Edwards, Gaines, Henderson, Obo and Kizer. Those last 8 we're not sure what we have yet but we're going to find out in 2020.. If half of them develop into good players, we're ahead of the game. It beats drafting a first rounder and seeing him flop.

 

[CGI_Ram]

They've done more with less in the draft since they drafted Goff and McVay came along. I don't want to sound like I have blinders on but they've done quite well with midround picks. Kupp, Johnson, Rapp, Reynolds, Ebukam and a long list of potential....Noteboom, Allen, Evans, Edwards, Gaines, Henderson, Obo and Kizer. Those last 8 we're not sure what we have yet but we're going to find out in 2020.. If half of them develop into good players, we're ahead of the game. It beats drafting a first rounder and seeing him flop.

This. Our ROI has been very good with “mid value” picks in this regime.

 

[SteezyEndo]

I really need to see more. That small sample size wasn’t good enough, but I hope he will show. Though in my head I wish we had a RB like Derrick Henry.