For the first time in five years, Todd Gurley will not suit up in a Los Angeles Rams uniform. The former star running back was let go by the team this past month to save cap space, signaling a shift in culture.
With that being said though, the Rams can no longer rely on Gurley to pick up the offense when it’s down as it will be more of a group effort.
As far as finding a replacement for Gurley, the Rams only have two viable running backs on the roster in backup Malcolm Brown and second-year player Darrell Henderson. Those are the only two options as of now, but the upcoming NFL Draft could provide a number of new options as well.
According to Stu Jackson of TheRams.com, head coach Sean McVay will consider going to the draft to secure another running back for the Rams:
“In the draft, that will be something that we’ll look at,” McVay said in a video conference with local media Monday morning. “Whether we decide to address that position with a draft pick or not, I think remains to be seen as we continue to navigate through the draft experiences.”
The Rams’ first pick will not come until the midpoint of the second round, likely leaving their options at running back to be a bit limited. It doesn’t appear that the Rams are searching for a true workhorse though as general manager Les Snead has stated that he hopes a couple of players can combine to provide the same amount of production Gurley did for all those years.
McVay also understands that finding one player to replace Gurley is not an easy task. He stated that he simply hopes to adjust to the ever changing situation:
“We certainly don’t replace the production, the way that (Gurley) has influenced and affected the game,” McVay said. “But what we can continue to do is try to adjust and adapt.”
The Rams offense is going to look much different than it has in years past with or without new running back talent. Without Gurley, the offense will need to be run more through Jared Goff, but the Rams would still need a reliable run-game to shake things up. The hope Brown and Henderson can help contribute to that and put in some good runs to keep opposing defenses on their toes, which they have both proven they are capable of.
