Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams have had to face some turmoil at the running back position throughout the 2023 campaign. They began the season with Cam Akers as their lead back, transitioned to Kyren Williams and injuries have brought them back to Darrell Henderson. Through it all, players like rookie Zach Evans have been waiting on the sidelines for an opportunity.
Evans was the Rams’ sixth-round pick after an impressive junior season at Ole Miss and has been tossed out consistently as an option to take more snaps in the backfield. However, that has yet to come to fruition for the young running back. He has four touches on the season, carrying the ball for 10 yards while only seeing the field in four of the Rams’ nine games.
But McVay has seen some impressive things from Evans in recent practices, and is now potentially looking at ways to get him more involved in the offense, via the Coach McVay Show:
“Zach Evans is another guy that I’m intrigued to see if he gets an opportunity to get some carries towards the second half of the season. He’s gotten better and better in practice, so we’ll see if he gets an opportunity to get out there.”
Of course, McVay is unlikely to outright say that Evans is getting more opportunities, as he has always kept his cards close when it comes to his running back committee. But the Rams have also never been shy about switching things up in the middle of the season and giving young backs an opportunity to shine.
Evans had 1,055 all-purpose yards and 13 total touchdowns in 12 games for Ole Miss last season, and is clearly showing his capabilities on the practice field. Translating it to a game is a whole different story, but McVay may be ready to give him that chance.
Rams bring in Carson Wentz
Another new addition to the Rams backfield is former No. 2 overall draft pick Carson Wentz, who the Rams are signing to be Matthew Stafford’s backup. At one time an MVP candidate, Wentz has gone through quite the journey in his seven NFL seasons.
The Rams signify his fourth team in four seasons, having sour endings with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2020, Indianapolis Colts in 2021 and Washington Commanders in 2022. Perhaps in a new role as a backup, he can find a second wind to once again become a productive quarterback under center.
