Looking at the depth chart, it would appear the Los Angeles Rams don’t need any help at running back. And in reality, they don’t. With Todd Gurley entrenched as the starter and both Malcolm Brown and Darrell Henderson Jr. backing him up, the Rams have both top-end talent and good depth at the position.
But when you look deeper at the situation, you could make the case that adding a running back in the 2020 draft would be reasonable. Gurley is coming off his worst season since 2016 and had his role reduced significantly, while Brown could be cut to save $1.1 million.
It’s possible the Rams trade Gurley this offseason to rid themselves of his massive contract and open the door for Henderson, the team’s third-round pick in 2019, to contribute more than he did this past season. More than likely, they’ll keep him, but in this new four-round mock draft by Luke Easterling of Draft Wire, the Rams add some insurance just in case.
Here’s how the four rounds broke down:
52. Josh Jones, OT, Houston
84. Leki Fotu, DL, Utah
116. Zack Moss, RB, Utah
Jones fills a potential need at left tackle with Andrew Whitworth’s contract expiring this offseason. He’d join a group of players vying for that job in 2020, including Joseph Noteboom, Bobby Evans and possibly even David Edwards.
Fotu wouldn’t be a Day 1 starter at nose tackle, given the Rams’ depth at the spot with Sebastian Joseph-Day and Greg Gaines. But at his size (6-5, 335 pounds) with his movement skills, Fotu would be tough to pass up in the third round.
Finally, there’s Moss, another Utah Ute selected by the Rams in this projection. He’s not a big back, standing at 5-foot-10, 222 pounds, but he is shifty and quick in the hole. He’s also a capable receiver and blocker, which are two things the Rams like in their backs.
However, how much value would he really add to the depth chart? Even if the Rams move on from Gurley, Henderson and Brown would be more than capable of handling the load, with John Kelly also mixing in.