The biggest moves for the Los Angeles Rams so far this offseason have fortified the offensive line. With Steve Avila, Kevin Dotson, and now Jonah Jackson the Rams may have the most dominant run-blocking interior in the league.
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Kyren Williams fared well last season with two-thirds of this line intact but has also struggled to stay healthy in his first two seasons. The Rams also brought back Ronnie Rivers, who, in limited snaps, performed well, but Sean McVay‘s reticent usage shows his preference for Williams. They also have Zach Evans entering his sophomore campaign. The former sixth-rounder didn’t see much action in 2023, just nine carries.
Regardless of how many backs are on the roster the Rams should keep their eye out for gems and diamonds in the rough at this position. The running game is going to have an increased importance in the 2024 Rams season. Having several trusty carriers will be a necessity.
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Round 3: Pick 83
Audric Estime, Notre Dame: The Rams could go back to the Irish well and add a big tough bruiser. Audruc Estime had great production in his final season with Notre Dame. He rushed for 1341 yards and 18 touchdowns in 11 games. His 40 time was disappointing. His time of 4.71 put him in the bottom 10 percentile among running backs. But that isn’t where Estime butters his bread. 66 percent of his production came after contact, he broke 64 tackles and picked up 69 first downs.
Last season the Rams offensive line provided Williams with 3 yards before contact. Estime had just 2.14 yards per carry but still managed elite production. That YBC looks to go up with the addition of Jackson to the offensive line.
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He also allowed just three pressures and one sack as a pass blocker in 2023. Estime won’t turn 21 until September.
While his 40 time was unremarkable, his 10-yard split put him 53rd percentile. The rest of his drills and his size put him toward the top of runningbacks.
Round 3: Pick 99
Marshawn Lloyd, USC: Lloyd finished his college days with a great season, rushing for a career-high 820 yards, at a 7.1 yards per clip.
Lloyd showcases a powerful, compact build (5’9″ 220lbs) and relentless drive, relying on his vision and explosive speed to make plays from the backfield. Despite his occasional issues with ball security, combined with a narrower range of receiving skills, he will fit nicely with Williams as an explosive homerun threat.
He’s allowed 10 pressures and one sack in 509 blocking assignments.
Round 5: Pick 154
Isaac Guerendo, Louisville: Can I interest you in a 6′ 220lbs running back with 4.33 speed? Meet Isaac Guerendo. He also placed in the 95th percentile in both the vertical and broad jump.
Guerendo has flown under the radar having to split backfield duties at both Wisconsin and Louisville. But his carries nearly doubled from 2022 to 2023 after he transferred and his production skyrocketed, despite playing second fiddle to Jawhar Jordan.
All that track speed doesn’t fully translate, but he doesn’t shy away from contact and has plenty of technique to pick up positive yardage on a regular basis.
Round 6: Pick 196
Jaden Shirden, Monmouth: Generally in this exercise, I’ve attempted to add size to the Rams backfield. Shirden doesn’t offer that, but he does bring 4.45 speed. At 5’8″, 187 lbs he is even smaller than Williams, but his explosive ability offers some lightening to the backfield and a threat to run outside the tackles.
