LA Rams TE Johnny Mundt is team’s proxy-FB for 2020 season

The LA Rams did not draft a fullback, which means that TE Johnny Mundt will be the team’s proxy-fullback for the 2020 NFL season

Which of these three LA Rams statements are NOT true? LA Rams Sean McVay stated that he would absolutely play a fullback if one as added to the team roster. LA Rams running backs coach Thomas Brown has a solid track record of coaching fullbacks in the backfield. LA Rams Johnny Mundt spent time in the Rams offensive backfield in 2020, and he helped improve the Rams running game last season. The Rams added a fullback in the offseason.

Of course, the Rams did NOT draft or sign a fullback in the offseason. But the team is certainly ripe for the benefits of a fullback role in their offense. After all,  the pure power running game of NFL history is waning rapidly. NFL offenses, in response to more and more rules protecting quarterbacks and receivers, has emphasized the passing game. Of course, the LA Rams were at the cutting edge of that movement.  The teams passing routes and use of three-receiver sets were commonplace as soon as head coach Sean McVay arrived.

Defenses caught on, eventually so did the Rams

After years at a disadvantage, NFL defenses discovered that a fast pass rush from the edge mixed with blitzes up the middle overwhelmed the Rams battered offensive line – forcing Goff to get rid of the ball. The added bonus of a defense pressuring up the middle is that it neutralized the Rams running game between the tackles.  That forced the Rams to rush outside where they had too few blockers.

Finally, after several weeks of poor offensive play, the Rams shifted to heavy use of two tight ends.  Not only did the Rams put two tight ends on the line of scrimmage, but sometimes the Rams line tight end, Johnny Mundt, in the offensive backfield.  The results? A dramatic improvement in the offense – both in the passing and the running games.

2020 repeat?

There are several reasons why the Rams should bring Mundt back as the second tight end for the Rams 2020 offense.  First of all, Mundt was a very effective blocker for the Rams in the middle of the offense. Not only to help pick up blitzes but also to move the pile and open up running lanes between the tackles.  He would be a perfect strong-man compliment to the speedy outside bursts of running back Darrell Henderson.  And he remains a receiver, which means he can be sent in a route for devastating effect as soon as the defense considers him just a blocker.

In this Rams training camp video, at the 13:30 mark, the discussion turns to the Rams’ use of tight end Johnny Mundt as the fullback in their offense. They emphasized that Mundt’s versatile role as a blocker, running back, and tight end,  So in the end, the Rams did not add a fullback because the roster already had a good one. Now, the Rams have to ensure they take advantage of him in their offense this season.