7 steps to get the LA Rams to the Super Bowl this year

IV – Get RB Xavier Jones some touches

The Rams had a rotation for the running back, but it was a closed group of Malcolm Brown, Darrell Henderson, and Cam Akers. The break out of Cam Akers was obviously clear and led head coach Sean McVay to state the obvious. In 2021, the team will feature running back Cam Akers. Sure, feature RB Cam Akers, but ensure RB Xavier Jones gets some touches.

Jones is more than a camp body. He was impressive enough in just limited opportunities to impress Coach McVay and Aaron Donald before games began in 2020. That propelled him to the 53-man roster last year but no further.

He just scores touchdowns, that’s all

The Rams will use Akers much like the team used RB Todd Gurley. But even then the team spelled the runner with the more physical rusher Brown when the situation warranted it. This year, the team cannot wait for a banged-up Akers to be unable to answer the bell to give him some help. Xavier Jones is a player who can score, and scoring is what the LA Rams are most interested in doing in 2021.

The challenge of redshirting offensive weapons is the lack of knowing whether or not they have the stuff to truly compete in the NFL in pads and at full speed. Since Jones did not play, the team must recast the same cast to see if he can contribute this year. I think he can and will. But however it turns out, it’s better to know now than not know at all.