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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 /
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Sep 20, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; St. Louis Rams running back Benny Cunningham (36) rushes the ball as Washington Redskins cornerback Bashaud Breeland (26) defends during the second half at FedEx Field. The Washington Redskins won 24 – 10. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 20, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; St. Louis Rams running back Benny Cunningham (36) rushes the ball as Washington Redskins cornerback Bashaud Breeland (26) defends during the second half at FedEx Field. The Washington Redskins won 24 – 10. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

Benny Cunningham (5’10” 217 lbs), Age: 25, Entering 4th Year as a Pro

“Bam Bam” Benny Cunningham was quietly becoming a fan favorite as a 2013 undrafted free agent for the St. Louis Rams. As the team’s primary kick returner, Benny Cunningham ran for 714 yards (28.6 average) with a long of 102, which helped place the struggling offense in a position to score on a weekly basis.

Not only was he efficient in his special teams snaps, but his ability to convert on third downs as a receiving back increased his value to the offense significantly, considering that he was one of the only good things going for the Rams on third down in 2015. Cunningham caught 26 passes last season for 250 receiving yards. He also rushed for 140 yards on 37 carries.

Unfortunately, Benny Cunningham failed to find the endzone this season, mainly due to the fact that Todd Gurley received more and more snaps as the season progressed. Tavon Austin also emerged as a runner this season, gaining 434 yards on the ground either from the backfield or on jet-sweeps and end-arounds.

2016-17 Prediction for Benny Cunningham

Benny Cunningham is obviously extremely valuable to the team as a kick returner and receiving back on third down, so I don’t expect his role to change much. However, since I’ve predicted an offseason improvement from Tre Mason, Cunningham’s production might dip slightly.

The young running back out of Middle Tennessee State should have about 100 rushing yards to go with 275 receiving yards on 30 receptions. It’s tougher to predict kick return yardage, but Cunningham will probably average at least 27 yards per return.

Next: Reynolds, Brown, Watts

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