LA Rams Draft: Impossible athleticism yields extraordinary results

With the 213th pick

…of the 2022 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Rams have selected Zaquandre White, a running back from the University of South Carolina.

Whether or not you believe this to be a need for the LA Rams in the 2022 NFL Draft, the LA Rams front office certainly needs to consider adding a running back in this draft.  Not only is the team placing their faith in the 2022 NFL season on the fact that one of six running backs will ‘click’ this year, but will do so after coming back from a major 2021 injury.

While practice squad rusher Javian Hawkins was unscathed last year, the same cannot be said about feature back Cam Akers. That also holds true for RB Jake Funk, Darrell Henderson Jr., Xavier Jones, and Raymond Calais too. So the Rams will be eyeing up any chance to get a physical running back in this draft, and Zaquandre White could be the ticket.

He is a big-bodied bruiser, standing 6-foot-0 and weighing 206-pounds. He hails from now-tight-end coach Thomas Brown’s former stomping ground, and no doubt is already in the Rams’ sights. Because he played linebacker for Florida State before transferring to South Carolina to focus on running back, he has a unique perspective and appreciation of defenses, which has enabled him to run with a bit of patience to allow his blockers to open a crease to run into and through.

If drafted, he would immediately be a candidate to contribute to special teams. His linebacker background would give him an excellent foundation for coverage units, while his running gives him the background to help in the return game.

The LA Rams need a Malcolm-Brown-like rusher to soften up defenses, catch passes out of the backfield, pick up blitzing defenders, and be a bigger-and-badder swiss army knife option for the offense who can commit to running between the tackles if the situation warrants it. He checks all the boxes and does so in the sixth round.