This overlooked rookie could be the secret to unlocking the Rams offense

The Los Angeles Rams won in Week 1. But if the same two teams met 10 times, how many of those contests would they win? If the answer is less than seven, then we have to open up the playbook and consider ways to improve the team’s chances. Winning football games will always be the team’s primary focus, but it’s a long season, and preparing rookies to contribute has to be one of the team’s objectives as well.

After one week of football, the Houston Texans defense is ranked ninth at stopping the run, allowing just 72 rushing yards. That is not a good look for a team that made it a point to focus on creating explosive runs, getting more options into the offensive playbook, and dictating better ball security. The team showed no signs of improvement.

To be fair, the team made a few changes. Yes, they did deploy 12 personnel, a move that added ample protection to veteran QB Matthew Stafford. But the running game, a key cog in the Week 1 game strategy, was pedestrian at best. The offense put the rushing attack into action for 25 plays, averaging just 2.9 yards per rush. Yes, that includes some half-hearted attempts by immobile QB Matthew Stafford, but it was not a great debut. It’s early in the season, sure. But it may be time to add a bit of spice to the same old routine.

Rams should consider rookie RB Jarquez Hunter in Week 2

As much as the coaches and players had expressed dire interest in changing the outcomes for 2025, Week 1 proved that words mean very little without a commitment behind them. And while Week 1 is just one game, the optics were simply not good. The running backs tried, but the results felt awfully familiar to last season. And at the end of last season, the team committed to changing the offensive strategy.

Nobody is talking about benching Kyren Williams. And it’s not even suggested that Blake Corum sit one out, not yet anyway. It’s simply that the team added fleet-footed Jarquez Hunter to improve the running game. As long as Hunter is a healthy scratch, nothing changes. And changes are necessary. This offense cannot bank on the constant contribution of Matthew Stafford. And what better way to take the pressure off the passing game than a robust rushing attack?

Hunter can deliver that. The number of offensive plays in a game is a function of first downs and controlling the clock, both of which are amplified by strong running. Even if Hunter breaks free on one of every four or five rushing attempts, his ability to put up yards quickly gives the offense a new set of downs and a larger number of offensive plays. The offense’s longest running play in Week 1 was nine yards.

That’s not good enough. It wasn’t good enough in 2024, prompting the team to draft a fast and powerful running back out of Auburn.

Hunter may or may not be as explosive in the NFL as he was in the NCAA. But the team will never know if he isn’t entrusted to carry the football. It’s time for a new strategy. Getting the rookie involved is a must, not because he will gain huge yards on a single run, but because he can. A stool needs all three legs to be sturdy. Week 2 is the perfect scenario for this offense to get the third leg of this rushing attack online.

As always, thanks for reading.

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