Which Rams rookie will make the biggest impact in 2019? (Vinny/Hammond Article)

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Which Rams rookie will make the biggest impact in 2019?

By Vinny Bonsignore and Rich Hammond Jun 27, 2019

The Rams’ starting 22 in 2019 could be a rookie-free zone. That’s not a bad thing. Winning teams, in general, shouldn’t need first-year players to fill major roles, unless they bring exceptional talent.

The Rams drafted eight players in April and, to date, have brought in 19 undrafted free agents. For most of those rookies, they will fight to simply make the season-opening 53-man roster. A starting spot is a dream, although coach Sean McVay has been open to young players earning significant roles.

Given that the Rams likely will hold most of their veteran starters out of August preseason games, others can prove their worth. So here’s the question: Which Rams rookie will make the biggest impact in 2019?

Darrell Henderson
Vinny Bonsignore: The Rams moved up in the third round of April’s NFL Draft to secure Memphis running back Darrell Henderson, a home-run hitter who is a threat to take it the distance from anywhere on the field as both a runner and pass-catcher. There was no coincidence: They have a role in mind for the rookie and want him to execute it as quickly as possible.

Throw in the fact that the Rams are intent upon tweaking the workload of Todd Gurley to manage his left knee and preserve his effectiveness through the course of the full season — and the likelihood of the postseason — and there is a huge opportunity available for an intriguing and skilled rookie.

Provided Henderson gets his head in the playbook and proves to Sean McVay and the coaching staff he can capably carry out his assignments, he is expected to see the field early. At the very least, he will be a complement to Gurley in a change-of-pace role or, if Gurley’s knee is worse than anticipated, will be someone who can carry a significant part of the running back load.

If, in the Rams’ best-case scenario, Henderson becomes the versatile off-set to Gurley, count on McVay and his creative offensive mind to come up with a package for Henderson that takes advantage of his skill set. Even in that role, he can pile up stats that are hugely beneficial to the Rams’ success.

Henderson dominated as an outside-zone runner at Memphis, averaging a nation-leading 8.9 yards per carry on those runs last season. In his college career, he averaged 8.2 yards per carry on outside-zone runs.

Surprise, surprise. The outside zone just happens to be a staple of McVay’s run game. In fact, the Rams used it more than any team in the NFL last season. So right off the bat, Henderson will step into a familiar, comfortable scheme that he historically excels in.

And don’t be surprised if you see some groupings in which Henderson and Gurley share the field. Keep in mind Henderson caught 63 passes for 758 yards and eight touchdowns in college, so he is a capable receiver. McVay has hinted at situations in which Henderson lines up in the slot or out wide, in an attempt to create nightmare matchups against slower safeties or linebackers. Can you imagine him doing so with Gurley in the backfield posing a threat as a runner or pass-catcher?

The possibilities are limitless if Henderson picks up the playbook.

He has a chance to create a niche role early on, then expand it throughout his rookie season. Given McVay’s penchant for drawing up plays that put players in positions to succeed, it’s easy to envision Henderson breaking out as a big-time weapon in one of the NFL’s best offenses.

David Long
Rich Hammond: Vinny made the obvious choice and probably the correct one. And I know Greg Gaines’ name got a lot of run after the draft, amid speculation that he might immediately jump into the starting defensive tackle spot vacated by Ndamukong Suh. I just don’t see it, at least early in the season, and my bet is that spot goes to second-year tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day, at least coming out of training camp.

David Long could be the winner here. His size (5-foot-11) is a bit of a concern, but Rams cornerbacks coach Aubrey Pleasant is going to get the most out of the third-round pick from Michigan and harness all of his best attributes. They should fit well in the scheme of defensive coordinator Wade Phillips.

Long is a strong, in-your-face corner who can make life difficult for receivers at the line of scrimmage. He might not be as strong when it comes to downfield coverage, but a cornerback who can jam a receiver at the line — and help slow down a quarterback’s progression — will make it easier for pass-rushers such as Aaron Donald, Michael Brockers, Dante Fowler and Samson Ebukam to get their jobs done.

There’s also a contrast. The Rams changed things up a bit on defense last season after it seemed clear that cornerback Marcus Peters performed better in zone concepts. At Michigan, Long thrived in a man-press coverage system, so much that opposing quarterbacks rarely tested him.

That’s not to say, at all, that Long is going to supplant Peters this season. Peters and Aqib Talib are the Rams’ starters (with Nickell Robey-Coleman excelling in the nickel role), and Long is going to have to beat out fellow cornerbacks Troy Hill and Kevin Peterson to get significant playing time. That won’t be easy. Hill has been a contributor for three years, and Peterson looked to be headed toward a solid role in 2018 before he suffered a torn ACL in a preseason game.

But the Rams are going to want to get a look at Long and get him some experience as a rookie. As of now, Peters and Talib both are set to become unrestricted free agents next March, and it’s tough to see Hill or Peterson stepping into full-time starting roles in 2020. Long has that potential, so now is the time for the Rams to get him going. Chances are, he’s going to have to play a major role after Peters and/or Talib depart, so that’s why I think he will get a good amount of reps this season.

Plus, Long easily could earn playing time on his own. He’s a third-round pick (just like Henderson), and the Rams have a stellar recent history with mid-round picks such as Cooper Kupp, John Johnson, Josh Reynolds and Ebukam. It’s not easy for a rookie cornerback to adjust to the size and speed of NFL receivers, but Long played at a high level in college and looked like a player who could transition without much problem. When the Rams’ starters rest in preseason games, Long will get a chance to shine.