Thinking it’s time for the LA Rams to add a veteran running back

Remaining free agents

If you are a superstitious person, you may want to lobby hard for the LA Rams to sign veteran running back LeSean McCoy. After all, McCoy has been on the roster of the last two consecutive Super Bowl Championship teams. Of course, his contribution to either team was minimal at best, but there is that “He’s played for the last two Lombardi winners” thing going for him.

The San Francisco 49ers are currently rumored to be kicking the tires on running back Duke Johnson, and they have a keen eye towards talent to bolster their backfield. Johnson was drafted by the Cleveland Browns with the 77th pick of the 2015 NFL Draft, and played there for four seasons before signing on with the Houston Texans in 2019-2020. He stands 5-foot-9 and weighs 210-pounds. While he has played a rotational role, he has only carried the football 459 times in six seasons. He is proficient at both running and catching the football.

Veteran running back Lamar Miller had been a very productive running back for the Miami Dolphins and the Houston Texans. Unfortunately, he tore his ACL in 2018, and his 2020 attempt for a comeback with the Chicago Bears never materialized. The 5-foot-10, 221-pound running back is a low-risk high reward option, but the fact is that his production is very much in question since his injury. That may be enough for the LA Rams to walk on by in any RB search.

While the career of running back Kenjon Barner may not scream ‘Here comes the cavalry”, he is very adept at special teams, which could help the Rams transition Jake Funk to focus on a running back role exclusively. And yes, the 5-foot-9, 195-pound running back played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season. He returned 13 punts for the Bucs for 75 yards, as well as seven kickoffs for 167 yards.

Not great options? You may be right. They were better when we pleaded with the Rams to pick up RB help earlier in the season. And if the Rams wait any longer? These players will likely be gone as well.