Deep dive into Rams 2 newest players to learn what they bring to the team

Rookie RB Cody Schrader is Blake Corum - lite

The Rams are more than a bit puzzling right now, carrying four running backs into 2024 while there is a true need to consider adding depth elsewhere. But the way the NFL waiver claim system works is that in order to sign a player off another team's practice squad, or to claim a player off the waiver wire, the team must add that player to their 53-man roster.

And so, rookie running back Cody Schrader was claimed from the San Francisco 49ers waiver wire.

The question is, why?

Well, it's no secret that the 49ers have a fine eye for running backs. You know that they boast former Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey. But before McCaffrey arrived, they boasted RB Elijah Mitchell, who is still on the team. The 49ers have a rushing scheme that is as complex and effective as the Rams passing scheme. And what better way to ensure that the Rams ability to infuse those schemes into their running game than to add a runner who was just released from their roster.

The Rams now both the former 49ers offensive pass game coordinator in Mike LaFleur (2020), the former 49ers starting quarterback in Jimmy Garoppolo (2022), and now a former 49ers running back in Cody Schrader.

And in doing so, Cody Schrader becomes Lutheran South's first NFL player.

The Rams have tackled (pun intended) the goal of bolstering their running game, investing in more physical offensive linemen, sturdier tight ends, and closing in on a specific narrow range of running backs who they believe will flourish in their offense. And the 5-foot-8, 202-pound former Missouri rookie running back in Cody Schrader. In preseason, he carried the football 18 times for 48 rushing yards. He also hauled in two of four passes for eight yards.

Schrader was used heavily in kick returns, returning four kickoffs for 33, 29, 27, and 31 yards respectively.