The Los Angeles Rams have done a good job filling roster holes with proven veterans like Eric Weddle, Clay Matthews and Blake Bortles. They also re-signed Dante Fowler Jr. to fortify the pass rush, allowing them to take the best player available in the draft next month.
Of course, that strategy is typically executed within reason, excluding players from certain positions. For instance, the Rams aren’t going to take a quarterback in Round 1 with Jared Goff firmly entrenched as the starter.
Running back is another position that shouldn’t be addressed in the first round, or even before Day 3. However, Peter Schrager of NFL Media has the Rams taking Penn State running back Miles Sanders with the 31st overall pick.
Sanders isn’t getting the same pre-draft buzz as other running backs in this class, but his combine performance raised eyebrows around the league. His pass-catching ability — see the Indiana game, when he hauled in six catches for 54 yards — helps him. Los Angeles will look to add a complement, with the ability to catch passes out of the backfield, for Todd Gurley at some point in this draft.
Needless to say, this selection is puzzling. The Rams have Todd Gurley, who’s coming off his second straight All-Pro selection, and just signed Malcolm Brown to a two-year deal as his backup. They also drafted John Kelly in the sixth round last year, while also having Justin Davis on the roster.
Sure, there are concerns about Gurley’s knee reportedly having arthritis, but Schrager doesn’t mention that situation as a reason for drafting Sanders. He argues the Rams need a back “with the ability to catch passes out of the backfield.” Gurley can do that, as can Brown and Kelly.
What makes this selection even worse is the fact that Florida State edge rusher Brian Burns completely falls out of the first round, meaning the Rams pass on him for a running back? There isn’t a logical situation where Los Angeles would pass on one of the best pure pass rushers in the class to take a running back.
Paying Gurley $14-plus million per year through 2023 and drafting a running back in the first round is illogical.
