6, er 5 LA Rams players on the bubble after the draft

On the bubble: Player 1

Perhaps the greatest two abilities in professional football are durability and availability.  Unfortunately, the LA Rams’ experience with running back Darrell Henderson Jr. is such that they have found neither. Now it’s not to say that the Rams have gotten nothing from Henderson. They do, and when he is healthy, he can be electrifying.

But he’s a bit frustrating. The Rams have done practically everything but put the guy in bubble wrap, and he continues to come up limping. That had a significantly negative impact to the team, because the team was forced to hold him out of weekly practices to prepare for their next opponent. Without Henderson on the practice field, the offensive line and running back found themselves out of synch.

It was not until the Rams committed fully to veteran RB Sony Mitchell that the offense synched up once more. It also does not help that Henderson rushed four times for just seven yards throught the NFL Playoffs last year. He did catch three of five passes thrown his way for 43 yards.

Henderson stands 5-foot-8 and weighs a solid 208-pounds. Henderson’s forte is threatening the perimeter of defenses, whether via the running game or as a receiver. In three seasons, out of a possible 49 games, he has competed in 40 games and started in 21. Henderson has rushed 326 times over his career and piled up 1,426 yards and 10 touchdowns. As a receiver, Henderson has hauled in 49 of 70 passes for 372 yards and four touchdowns.

But now here comes RB Kyren Williams, who stands 5-foot-9 and weighs 194-pounds. In college, Williams was able to threaten the perimeter, catch the football, but he was also durable enough to run between the tackles. The LA Rams are not quick to elevate rookies into the offense, particularly running backs who must prove their ability to run, catch and block before McVay entrusts them to play in his offense. But Williams has that attitude and background that gives the sense that he has a real shot at a role in this offense as a rookie.

It only has to happen once. If Darrell Henderson is unable to suit up for a game and Kyren Williams is prepared to do so?  Well, the greatest two abilities in professional football are durability and availability. Eventually, the Rams roster will be decided on that basis.