What drafting RB Darrell Henderson means for Todd Gurley

[theramswire.usatoday.com]

Cameron DaSilva

Less than a year ago, the Los Angeles Rams made Todd Gurley the highest-paid running back in the NFL. Coming off a season in which he won 2017 Offensive Player of the Year and was a first-team All-Pro selection, Gurley deservingly earned a deal paying him more than $14.3 million per year.

All signs pointed toward the Rams committing to Gurley long-term by signing him through 2023, but that plan may have changed this offseason – again, less than a year after handing him a historic contract.

In the third round, the Rams traded up 24 spots to select running back Darrell Henderson out of Memphis, taking him at No. 70 overall. He cost the Rams two third-round picks as Los Angeles sent the Buccaneers Nos. 94 and 99 in Round 3 to move up.

Henderson has the traits to be a phenomenal change-of-pace player, boasting good speed (4.49 40-yard dash) and strength (22 bench-press reps) despite being undersized at 5-foot-8. He’s a slasher with big-play ability, as evidenced by his incredible 8.9 yards per carry over the last two years.

So what exactly does this move mean for Gurley’s future in Los Angeles. On the surface, it does not look good. The Rams have been shying away from answering questions about Gurley’s knee all offseason and even dating back to the playoffs, saying it’s nothing to be concerned about.

A report suggested Gurley has arthritis in his surgically repaired knee, which would make sense given his limited workload throughout the postseason. If that’s indeed the case – which the Rams will neither confirm nor deny – Gurley’s career could be cut short.

Combine the selection of Henderson with the fact that the Rams matched the Lions’ offer sheet for Malcolm Brown and, well, it does not look good for Gurley’s future. It’s not often a team trades up 24 spots to take a backup running back who will undoubtedly be slotted behind the top-paid tailback in football.



At the very least, this means Gurley won’t be handling a heavy workload like he has the last two seasons. No player has touched the ball more than him since the start of the 2017 season, but that’s bound to change next season and for years to come.

Will he now be a two-down player, contributing primarily on first and second down? He’s so good in pass protection and as a receiver that it’s hard to imagine a scenario like that. But on the flip side, Henderson cost the Rams two third-round picks to draft. A player like that isn’t going to ride the bench for a season or two.

In 2017 and ‘18, Gurley had 279 and 256 carries, respectively. Those numbers won’t be cut in half, but it’s difficult to see a scenario where Gurley has more than 200 carries. Les Snead has already said this offseason that the Rams will limit his workload to keep him fresher.

Henderson should get at least 50 carries in 2018, which might leave around 30 or so for Brown. Then there’s John Kelly, too, who looked promising as a rookie in the preseason. With such a crowded backfield, Gurley’s workload has to be limited in some way.