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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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Aug 29, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams running back Trey Watts (42) scores a touchdown during the third quarter of a football game against the Indianapolis Colts at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kane-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 29, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams running back Trey Watts (42) scores a touchdown during the third quarter of a football game against the Indianapolis Colts at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kane-USA TODAY Sports /

Chase Reynolds (6’0” 205 lbs), Malcolm Brown (5’11” 224 lbs), & Trey Watts (5’9” 208 lbs)

What do Chase Reynolds, Malcolm Brown, and Trey Watts have in common? None of them carried the ball on offense more than four times in the 2015-16 regular season. All four of those carries came from Malcolm Brown during the last game of the season, and he ended up totaling 17 rushing yards.

Chase Reynolds, on the other hand, has continued his role as one of John Fassel’s special teams aces alongside other underappreciated athletes such as Cody Davis, Bradley Marquez, and Daren Bates.

After being suspended for four games, Trey Watts ended up being suspended indefinitely for violating the NFL’s policy on substance abuse—again. It’s a shame, as the 2014 undrafted free agent out of Tulsa showed some promise as a patient runner despite his lack of speed.

Although he had a respectable career with the Texas Longhorns, Malcolm Brown was a long shot to make the Rams’ roster with the addition of Todd Gurley. Then on December 31st of 2015, Brown was promoted to the 53-man roster to help replace Gurley’s production while he sat out with a foot injury.

2016-17 Predictions for Reynolds, Brown, & Watts

Unless Todd Gurley and Tre Mason suffer long-term injuries (knock on wood), don’t expect Reynolds, Brown, or Watts to make a significant impact on the offensive side of the ball. Chase Reynolds will focus on special teams since the Rams will likely retain him as a restricted free agent, while Malcolm Brown and Trey Watts will serve as depth at the running back position.

However, Malcolm Brown and Trey Watts could easily be cut this offseason. Malcolm Brown could be seen as expendable due to the emergence of Todd Gurley, while Trey Watts might not be able to redeem himself from his past suspensions.

It should also be noted that WR Tavon Austin often takes snaps in the backfield since the coaching staff has finally started to use him in creative ways, so it’s much more difficult for the Rams’ bottom-of-the-depth-chart running backs to get playing time.

Next: Kain Colter?

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