Rams triplets ranked in bottom third of NFL
The biggest change fans will notice when watching the Rams from last year to this season – besides the new uniforms, of course – will be the absence of Todd Gurley in the backfield. He’s been a cog on offense for the last five years, but the Rams cut him back in March, less than two years after signing him to a record-setting contract.
In his place will be one of three players: Malcolm Brown, Cam Akers or Darrell Henderson. Sean McVay has yet to decide who will be the starting running back, as he’ll let the competition play out in camp and early in the season.
At quarterback, it’ll still be Jared Goff. And the top wide receivers will remain Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods. But when assembling a cast of triplets – a QB, RB and WR – the Rams are weighed down by the running back spot.
Ali Bhanpuri of NFL.com ranked each team’s offensive triplets and the Rams came in at No. 24.
Quarterback: Jared Goff — Rank: 20 (One game: 20 | 2020 prod.: 18)
Running back: Malcolm Brown — Rank: 32
Pass catcher: Cooper Kupp — Rank: 18Crazy what happens to an offense — and a quarterback’s efficiency — when you struggle to run the football. The Rams’ rushing attack plummeted 33 percent year-over-year in yards per game (139.4 to 93.7), shining a spotlight on Goff’s flaws under center. As a result, the team scored 122 fewer offensive points than it did in 2018, and Goff — pressing more than he had at any point since head coach Sean McVay’s arrival in 2017, the QB’s second year in the NFL — averaged a whole yard less per attempt (7.4). After a shock to the system like that, it’s no wonder McVay is looking to mimic the RB-by-committee approach of the reigning NFC champions, especially considering how said approach effectively elevated a quarterback of a similar talent level in San Francisco. Brandin Cooks’ departure makes official what became crystal clear last year: When at 100 percent, Kupp is the most reliable offensive weapon on L.A.’s roster.
The Rams could very easily finish the season higher than 24th if the running game exceeds expectations. It’ll likely take on a committee approach with the three aforementioned names, most likely led by the rookie Akers.
Henderson is a nice complementary piece and change-of-pace back, while Brown provides stability and short-yardage prowess.
Kupp and Woods are a coin-flip for the selection at wide receiver in this exercise, but by having to choose just one, it does the Rams no justice because their strength is in numbers at wideout, not with one star like Michael Thomas or DeAndre Hopkins.
