Rams must get these 3 players more involved in the offense in Week 11

The LA Rams have not made optimal use of their players, particularly on the offensive side of the football. And that has led to the team's sub-.500 performance through 10 weeks of the 2024 NFL schedule. That's a long time to still be misfiring on how to place players into the best position to succeed.

While I'm not an expert in all things about professional football, I can and do make observations that seem to have some insight. After all, NFL analysts are simply ex-players or broadcasters who have spent a great deal of time observing the sport. While I believe certain NFL analysts are blessed with keen observational skills and compelling storytelling, like Brian Baldinger, others try to take an NFL holistic approach, which affords them a 30,000-foot vantage point.

It's no wonder that those national NFL analysts seldom get it right when it comes to these Rams weekly issues. So what can I offer that they cannot? Simply stated, I see three players who have more potential for positive playmaking than the Rams have afforded them in terms of workload. Who are they?

TE Davis Allen

With 601 offensive snaps in the books for the LA Rams, second year TE Davis Allen is currently on the low end of the totem pole. His 147 offensive snaps trails both TE Colby Parkinson and Hunter Long. But it shouldn't, and here's why:

While only catching six of 11 passes for 39 receiving yards this season, Allen is fundamentally sound as a blocker, and he has hauled in 16 of 22 passes for 134 yards and a touchdown. Simply stated, the guy needs a steady diet of targets to retain his proficiency. An even more compelling reason is the fact that Allen is the cheapest active tight end on the roster, is under contract through 2026, and has never failed to step up for the Rams.

Colby Parkinson has not proven to be Tyler Higbee's successor. It's time for this team to give Davis Allen a real opportunity to showcase his ability to handle a larger workload.

RB Blake Corum

The LA Rams did former Michigan running back Blake Corum no favors by selecting him in Round 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft. Despite all of the hoopla and euphoria over the team's surprising interest in adding a top-tier quality rookie running back,

At the time of his selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, I was not sold on the value of adding Corum to this roster. Don't get me wrong. I appreciated and respected Corum's collegiate production. But the Rams seem to gravitate to short running backs who all seem to harbor the same dimensions and running style. And with RB Kyren Williams as the feature running back, what else is left in terms of workload for a rookie backup who runs an almost identical style?

Well, the team needs to figure the answer to that question out quickly.

In nine games, feature RB Kyren Williams has already fumbled the football more often than his previous two NFL seasons put together. And his average yards per carry this season have fallen below his career average. Williams is getting a lot of work, too much work to sustain in 2024. So in hopes of preserving some of Williams for any possibility of postseason competition, Corum has to be brought online in this offense immediately.

But there are more compelling reasons to get Blake Corum involved in this offense. The front office, working with the coaching staff, clearly identified Corum as a player whose skillset and talents warranted a quite valuable Round 3 selection. Were they mistaken? Is there some form or buyer's remorse happening? I don't buy it (pun intended).

The Rams have a track record of failing to get talented rookies involved in the offense. That has to change in 2024. Corum is a powerful punishing type of runner who does nobody any good by warming the pine. I feared that Corum was simply one more short runner added to a roster too loaded with short runners to give him a chance. Hopefully, the team proves me wrong this week.

WR Tutu Atwell

When the LA Rams selected speedy but svelte WR Tutu Atwell, he was not exactly greeted with the red carpet. Yes, he struggled in his rookie season. And yes, it didn't help that another rookie who the Rams had the opportunity to draft, center Creed Humphrey, has been an outstanding offensive lineman for the team that did select him, the Kansas City Chiefs.

But Tutu Atwell has worked very hard to be ready when the Rams call his number. Unfortunately, they don't give him enough work to warrant his second-round selection. And even after he has proven to be a dependable player, that hasn't changed.

In 2024, Atwell has hauled in 26 of 40 targets for 372 yards. 17 of those 26 receptions have turned into first downs. And with the team finding unbridled success with two tight-end formations, he is a vital component to this offense this season. So why does he only get 268 offensive snaps, which is fewer than that of Cooper Kupp, who has only suited up for five of nine games this season?

This should not and cannot be an argument about Atwell's deserving of a roster slot. That decision was made in the 2021 NFL Draft when he was chosen in Round 2. It cannot be about his value in 2024, as that decision was made when the team retained him on the 53-man active roster. The argument now is about what is the proper workload. My point is that he is an effective productive player, and his skillsets optimize a 12-personnel option. So, why fight that?

Play him. Send him deep to stretch the New England Patriots secondary. Not only does that open running lanes, but spreads out a secondary to create separation for tight ends and other receivers.

As always, thanks for reading.

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