Sean McVay “Absolutely” would add FB to LA Rams offense in 2020

The LA Rams head coach Sean McVay “Absolutely!” would consider adding a fullback to the LA Rams offense in 2020

The LA Rams struggled with their rushing offense in 2019. So poorly was the showing of the Rams trio of running backs: Todd Gurley, Malcolm Brown, and Darrell Henderson, that we dove into the topic headfirst immediately after the season ended.  After all, the belief at exiting the 2018 season, based upon team assurances, was that the LA Rams would manage Gurley’s workload all season, and distribute the ball to other running backs Brown and Henderson.

Brown came out of the blocks with a solid game one performance but regressed as the season wore on. Henderson never seemed to get on track.

In the end, the Rams reduced Gurley’s carries by transferring running plays to the passing game. Goff couldn’t carry the team at that level of passing, and the defense wore down as the Rams lost the time of possession battle.

As Super Bowl 54 unfolded, both the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs used the fullback position with noticeable efficiency. So effective, in fact, that we were inspired to another article with five tangible methods the Rams can employ in 2020 to make the running game more effective.

Moving towards a fullback

Now it has been all theory until the LA Rams hired running backs coach Thomas Brown. With his addition, the Rams now have a running backs coach with a track record of inserting fullbacks into offensive schemes.  Now even with a fullback on the roster, the Rams would still limit that configuration to certain downs and distances.  But what of head coach Sean McVay? Is he on board? When asked at the NFL Scouting Combine on February 25 if he would consider adding a fullback into the Rams offense, Coach McVay answered “Oh, yeah. Absolutely!”

The two main advantages to the fullback in the modern NFL offense is having a mobile blocker who attacks the running lane first and neutralizes defenders, saving some of the wear and tear on the running back.  The second advantage is the use of a fullback as an additional blocker on passing plays, allowing the quarterback more time to find an open receiver. We know that defenses have sped up their pass rush to thwart the Rams passing attack. Holding a fullback in to chip away at defenders slows down that pass rush.

Finally, the dual-threat fullback can be a runner in his own right, punishing defenders early in games to soften them up for fourth quarter rushes.  If he can catch the ball, he becomes a deadly outlet pass option to an offense focused upon wide receivers, tight ends, and Todd Gurley.

So how would the LA Rams go about signing a fullback?

Pour me a draft FB

So now it falls to the task of finding the right players to fit the role of NFL fullback. Well, we’ve already done the work of identifying them

Boston College running back AJ Dillon is a day three option for the Rams to consider for their offense.  He stands 6-foot-0 and weighs a muscular 250-pounds. Of course, this young man is all about power, both in running over defenders and in knocking them down when blocking. But he has intriguingly soft hands when the ball is thrown his way.  Without blinding speed, many offenses will target other runnings. But for the Rams and their new affection for a full back, Dillon could be their guy. He was a featured running back in our Group 2 article.

The University of Alabama running back Najee Harris may not fall far enough to make it to the LA Rams on day 3, but he is absolutely an impact player from the moment the ball is snapped. He stands 6-foot-2 and tips the scale at 230 pounds.  While he is already on the radar for most teams, his size creates problems for scouts trying to define how to best use his power in the NFL. He also was a featured running back in our NFL Combine Group 2 article.

The University of Nevada running back Kelton Moore is a third option that could be signed as an undrafted free agent. Standing 5-foot-11 and weighing a powerful 240 pounds, Moore is a running back who can build up a head of steam quickly and translate all that momentum at the point of attack to deliver punishing blows to would-be defenders. His own statistics reflect a “block-first” college role.  In the NFL, he could be coached into a threat to run and catch passes.

Tulane running back Darius Bradwell is the fourth big guy who could tumble to late day three for the Rams. Standing 6-foot-1 and weighing a burly 230 pounds, Bradwell averaged nearly 1,600 rushing yards over two seasons. While a threat in the running game, Bradwell will likely drop due to his inexperience in the passing game as a viable receiver.  That can be coached up. What Bradwell does well is blocking and running the ball, both skills are the most critical for the Rams in 2020.