Ever since Sean McVay was hired by the Los Angeles Rams in 2017, they’ve been looking for a change-of-pace back to complement Todd Gurley. Les Snead said as much after the draft, explaining why the Rams selected Darrell Henderson at No. 70 overall.
At first glance, the thought of drafting a running back in the third round seemed like a crazy idea with Gurley in the mix. But after watching Henderson play and examining how he fits with the Rams, it’s easy to get excited about him joining the backfield.
He thrived in Memphis’ outside zone scheme, averaging 8.9 yards per carry in each of the last two years. The Rams run outside zone more than any team in the NFL, which makes this a great match.
Henderson’s college coach, Mike Norvell, doesn’t think the running back could’ve landed with a better team.
“I don’t know if there’s a better fit in the NFL for him than the Rams,” Norvell told Ryan Kartje of the OC Register.
Henderson was a dynamic player for the Tigers, scoring from just about everywhere on the field. There may not have been a more explosive running back in the draft than him, which makes his fit with the Rams a fun one.
Henderson was part of a committee in college, sharing the backfield with Tony Pollard, who was drafted by the Cowboys. Henderson was the workhorse with 214 carries in 2018, but Pollard chipped in 78 attempts for 552 yards and six touchdowns.
In the NFL, Henderson will once again be in a shared backfield, this time as the backup. That’s not a bad thing, Norvell says, because it gives the Rams a pair of playmakers in the backfield.
“To have multiple explosive backs that are able to stay fresh and able to put together a complete season, that’s important,” Norvell said. “When you look at the situation there, having Gurley, a guy who’s experienced, who’s one of the best, that can help both of their careers. They can be a dynamic duo.”
Norvell said he thinks Henderson “can do it all,” which the Rams plan to take full advantage of. McVay will use him as a receiver, a running back and potentially as a return specialist, getting the ball in his hands often. There may not be a better backfield in the league than the one in L.A.
