No third-round pick from this year’s NFL Draft was discussed as heavily as the Rams drafting Darrell Henderson.
The decision to draft a running back in the third round sparked discussions on the true status of Todd Gurley, who had been diagnosed with arthritis in his surgically repaired knee. Many expected that the Rams would use Henderson in a time share with Gurley and that they no longer had faith in the running back’s health.
It turns out that not much has changed from last season as far as the running back depth chart is concerned. Gurley is the starter and Malcolm Brown is the backup. Henderson has taken over for John Kelly as the emergency third-string running back. He’s played just two offensive snaps this season, though.
The lack of playing time has made people question why the Rams even bothered drafting Henderson in the third round.
“I think that’s one of those things that we’re going to look at and are evaluating,” Sean McVay stated regarding Henderson’s lack of playing time. “It’s our job and it’s my job to make sure we find a way to continue to develop him and give him an opportunity, because I think he is a guy who can help us whether it’s immediately or whether it’s later on in the season.”
The Rams would not have drafted a third running back had they not thought highly of Henderson. McVay reiterated that the lack of playing time wasn’t due to anything Henderson has done.
McVay did hint at an increased role for Henderson, though, saying the Rams could find creative ways to get him the ball.
“He’s done a nice job, it’s really just kind of that ultimate deal of figuring out, ‘All right, how do you get him with the amount of guys involved that you feel like are deserving touches?’ That’s a positive problem for us, but that’s something that I think you could expect us to see trying to find creative ways to maybe get him going a little bit.”
All this really boils down to is a lack of opportunities for three running backs. The Rams are averaging just 23 rushing attempts per game, the ninth-lowest number in the NFL. Factor in that a couple of those carries are going to wide receivers and there really is not a ton of carries to go around. Any work that would be given to Henderson would be taking away from Gurley and Brown. The last thing the Rams need to do is give Gurley the ball less.
The Rams have been a pass-heavy offense this season. They’re leading the NFL in passing attempts per game. Henderson could serve useful as a pass-catching back, but the Rams need their running backs to be pass-protectors more than they do pass-catchers this season. The offensive line has regressed mightily, and Gurley has been called upon to step up as a pass-blocker. Henderson wouldn’t be nearly as effective in protection as Gurley and Brown have been.
It takes time and experience to gain that skill as a running back. The Rams simply can’t afford to let Henderson go out there and make mistakes. They’re doing that with enough of their offensive linemen as it is.
Henderson may factor into this offense later on this season. He also may just be a reserve player for the Rams this year. No matter which way it goes, that doesn’t mean drafting Henderson was a mistake. The Rams have been known to take their time with rookies under head coach Sean McVay. Joseph Noteboom, Brian Allen, and Sebastian Joseph-Day are all starters in their second season after barely playing in year one.
At Memphis, Henderson was used to sprinting for touchdowns. In Los Angeles, it’ll be more of a marathon for the rookie running back to find a role on this team. His time will come. It just might not be this season.
