With The First Pick
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What to make of the Rams’ selection of RB Darrell Henderson

By Bryan Perez

NEW ORLEANS, LA - SEPTEMBER 28: Darrell Henderson #8 of the Memphis Tigers runs with the ball for a touchdown during the first half against the Tulane Green Wave at Yulman Stadium on September 28, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - SEPTEMBER 28: Darrell Henderson #8 of the Memphis Tigers runs with the ball for a touchdown during the first half against the Tulane Green Wave at Yulman Stadium on September 28, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Rams selected Memphis RB Darrell Henderson in the third round of the 2019 NFL draft, a move that should make it obvious Todd Gurley’s workload will be reduced this season.

The Los Angeles Rams pulled somewhat of a surprise pick in the third round of the 2019 NFL draft when they selected Memphis running back Darrell Henderson at No. 70 overall. It’s not that Henderson wasn’t worthy of being drafted that high; he was. But with Todd Gurley and Malcolm Brown already on the roster, why would the Rams invest such a high pick on a running back?

The obvious starting point is Gurley’s health, or lack thereof. He battled a nagging knee injury throughout the final quarter of last season, one that impacted him into the playoffs and even the Super Bowl.

He just wasn’t the same guy, and the Rams’ offense suffered as a result.

“It’s feeling pretty good,” Gurley said of his knee in April, just two weeks before the draft. “Taking it day by day.

“All I need to worry about is how I’m feeling right now. I don’t know how I’m going to be feeling six months from now. So like I said, just kind of keep working hard, doing what I’ve been doing these past couple of years.”

Gurley cashed in with a monster four-year, $57 million contract last offseason and was on pace to have another MVP-like season had his left knee held up. He totaled 1,251 yards and 21 touchdowns in just 14 games.

But his inability to stay on the field, or play at a high level when he was gutting through the injury, was evidence the Rams need a stronger backup plan.

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That plan came to fruition through the selection of Henderson, who will cut into Gurley’s touches in 2019. He wasn’t selected to be inactive or just a special teams contributor on game day. He’ll be some of the lightning needed to complement Gurley’s thunder.

In fact, the Rams could evolve into a full-blown running back by committee in order to preserve their franchise player for when it matters most: the playoffs.

“The team may look to limit Gurley’s workload, and the addition of Henderson means that explosiveness will not be sacrificed when the RB2 is in the game,” NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein wrote when praising Los Angeles’ selection. “Henderson averaged 8.9 yards per carry over his last 344 rushes and had 11 touchdowns of 54-plus yards in 2018 alone. The high-flying Rams just super-charged their depth at running back.”

Championship teams understand the importance of good depth better than anyone else. Players like Gurley can certainly lead a Super Bowl run, but he can’t do it alone and considering the nature of the position he plays, he can’t be expected to be full strength all season.

And that’s why the Henderson pick is a stroke of brilliance. It will allow McVay to keep his foot on the gas pedal no matter who’s lining up behind QB Jared Goff.

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