This rookie's speed is exactly what the Rams offense has been sorely lacking

It wasn't difficult to determine what the Los Angeles Rams offense lacked last season. While reports after the season ended revealed that quarterback Matthew Stafford suffered a serious rib injury, that was only one problem. The Rams running backs were not fast, and the Rams suffered from having hte fewest explosive running plays in the entire NFL.

That's correct. In the category of runs that gained 20+ yards, the team fell dead last in the NFL, recording just two running plays of that type. The running backs are well aware of that deficit and are working hard to remedy the matter. Feature RB Kyren Williams worked on ball security and explosiveness in the offseason, but he was not the only player to work on improving.

RB Blake Corum shed six pounds to be more explosive this season. And both Ronnie Rivers and Cody Schader have been generating positive reports over training camp as well. But the coup de grace is the addition of rookie running back Jarquez Hunter. He can pound the football between the tackles, while kicking in the afterburners to sail past the defensive perimeter.

And he unleashed his full-speed wrath on the New Orleans Saints defense in the joint scrimmage. And that means a great deal to the team's chances for success this season.

Rams Jarquez Hunter is more than a fast runner

The team was savvy in its running back selection. While the team needs speed, it didn't want to sacrifice the ability to run between the tackles. With Hunter in the backfield, the offense neen't make any concessions. Hunter is powerful enough to run between the tackles, fast enough to outrun defender to the edge, and savvy enough to know which path to choose.

Against the Saints, he broke a run wide open that started up the middle, then bounced outside. If he can get to the second level, he can deliver a huge gain. And huge gains are something this offense sorely needs.

Even with the extension for Kyren Williams, the team is not settled at the running back position. Despite Corum's experience in 2024, he was not used nearly as much as his draft selection would have expected. And his participation in the first preseason game yielded mixed results. The team continues to seek a player who can step up and claim the backup running back role. In his scrimmage performance, Hunter is clearly pushing for that role.

And if he remains consistent in shining when work comes his way, he could upend Corum for the backup running back role this year. As always,thanks for reading.

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