Ramblin' Fan
FanSided

Looking Forward and Back: 2016-17 Los Angeles Rams Running Backs

By Matt Colinco

Dec 13, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) before the game between the St. Louis Rams and the Detroit Lions during the first half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) before the game between the St. Louis Rams and the Detroit Lions during the first half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
Feb 6, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley poses with the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year trophy at the NFL Honors press room at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley poses with the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year trophy at the NFL Honors press room at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Todd Gurley (6’1” 227 lbs) Age: 21, Entering 2nd Year as a Pro

After winning the 2015-16 Offensive Rookie of the Year,Todd Gurley is already the face of the franchise. Yes, Aaron Donald is arguably the best interior defensive lineman in the game, but everyone is talking about how incredible TG30 is going to look in Los Angeles. Once the great Kobe Bryant retires as a Los Angeles Laker, Gurley hopes to be the city’s next big star. If anyone can accomplish such a feat, it’s Todd Gurley—and he deserves to.

Over a year ago, the Georgia Bulldog suffered a devastating ACL injury that sent his NFL Draft stock plummeting. However, according to LaDainian Tomlinson , Todd Gurley’s unique combination of size, speed and power made him the best running back prospect to declare for the NFL Draft since Adrian Peterson. The Rams took a risk by selecting the talented young back with the tenth overall pick, and now the offense has a workhorse back they can build around for the next decade.

Then in only thirteen regular season games, Gurley ran for 1,106 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns to go with 21 receptions for 188 receiving yards. His inhuman abilities to explode for huge gains despite early contact and literally jump over his opponents gave Rams fans something exciting to watch in another 7-9 season.

2016-17 Prediction for Todd Gurley

Even though Todd Gurley didn’t start a game until Week 4, he ended up in third place amongst the league’s rushing leaders, only trailing behind Adrian Peterson and Doug Martin who both played all sixteen games. With a full offseason completely healthy and an improving young offensive line, the sky’s the limit for Gurley.

However, if the Rams’ abysmal passing game fails to improve over the offseason, Gurley’s stats will likely suffer. Defenses will key in on the run game rather than focusing on pass coverage. Luckily, Gurley is too good of a back to see a significant drop-off in production because of this.

Assuming he doesn’t get injured in the middle of the season, Todd Gurley should make a splash in the Rams’ new home of Los Angeles, gaining 1,450 rushing yards, 250 receiving yards, and 12 total touchdowns. Offensive Rookie of the Year and a Pro Bowl invitation is only the beginning for Todd Gurley—expect greatness.

Next: Tre Mason

Home/Rams News