Peter Schrager: Jake Funk was a top pick on Day 3, could be Rams’ 3rd-down RB

Peter Schrager is high on Jake Funk, who the Rams drafted in the seventh round. He says Funk could be the team’s 3rd-down back.

When the Los Angeles Rams went on the clock at No. 233 overall in the seventh round of the draft, fans everywhere thought that was going to be the pick used to address the offensive line. So when they announced Maryland running back Jake Funk as their selection, there was a lot of head-shaking and surprised Rams fans.

But Funk is going to be a player they grow to love this year. He went much later in the draft than he could have due to two torn ACL injuries suffered in college, but those didn’t impact his pro day testing – which was off the charts, if you haven’t already heard.

NFL Network’s Peter Schrager has close ties to the Rams and is friends with coach Sean McVay. He was on “Good Morning Football” this week breaking down his five favorite picks from Day 3 and Funk was No. 5.

He sounds confident McVay will find a way to use Funk, whether it’s on offense or as a return specialist. And he wouldn’t even rule out Funk being the team’s third-down back behind Cam Akers.

“I assure you this: The Rams are not taking offensive players in the seventh round if they don’t plan on using him in some way,” Schrager said. “You could be looking at your third-down back in that Rams offense. With Cam Akers playing running back, you always have to have that yin and the yang. That could be Jake Funk. Furthermore, special teams. This guy made his pitch on ‘Good Morning Football’ and said ‘I can do it on coverage teams, I can return kicks, I can return punts.’ Guess what? He’ll do just that for the Los Angeles Rams. I don’t know what number he’s going to wear – maybe 34 – I think we’re going to be wearing that jersey.”

That’s some seriously high praise from an analyst who’s in frequent contact with McVay. Funk will still have to earn a spot on the 53-man roster, likely as a special teams contributor, but his athleticism could also allow him to impact the game on offense.

He’s a determined player, too, and has shown impressive resiliency to come back from two serious knee injuries and still get drafted. Funk is a name to watch this summer.