LA Rams running game rebuilding around Cam Akers

What to expect?

For starters, the Rams offense will not suddenly revert back to a run-first mentality. The Rams have two 1000 yard receivers in Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp, two tight ends itching to get more involved in the passing game in Tyler Higbee and Gerald Everett, a reserve receiver aching to set himself up for a huge 2021 contract in Josh Reynolds, and two rookies chomping at the bit in wide receiver Van Jefferson and tight end Brycen Hopkins. With a passing offense ranked fourth in the NFL behind an injury-riddled offensive line in 2019, the Rams will likely come out shooting in 2020.

Of course, the underlying offense will be of McVay’s design. But there will be changes.  With the LA Rams no longer handing the ball off to Todd Gurley, everything changes. Gurley’s presence on the football introduced certain levels of confidence in the running game.  The expectation whenever the ball was placed in his hands was that he would gain nearly five yards per play, and could break it for a first down at any time.

Show-me something

Now, the Rams are back to proving everything. Whether the ball is handed off to Malcolm Brown, Darrell Henderson, Cam Akers, James Gilbert, or Xavier Jones, the team will be more along the lines of “Let’s see what happens now” mindset. While that may seem like a step back, it could very much be positive for 2020.

Facing uncertainty, the LA Rams players will be particularly vigilant over their performance.  With Gurley rushing, his ability to gain positive yards camouflaged blocking mistakes. Now, each block on each play will be scrutinized, which could help the inconsistent play from 2019 develop into more dependable play at the line of scrimmage.