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NFL: Rams preparing to diminish Todd Gurley’s role in McVay’s offense

By Ryan McGinley

Aug 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) warms up prior to the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) warms up prior to the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Are the Rams already wasting away their first-round pick’s talents?

Todd Gurley more than doubled his targets and receptions between his rookie and sophomore campaign, but ESPN Rams Reporter Alden Gonzalez doesn’t expect that to be a trend.

After two up and down seasons, Todd Gurley is going to see his role altered again with new head coach, Sean McVay.  The first running back taken in the 2015 draft is expected to see fewer targets this year.  On top of a new coach, the Rams added Lance Dunbar, the excellent pass catching running back from Dallas.

Bursting on the scene in 2015, Gurley was immediately the Ram’s most effective weapon.  In 2015, Gurley ran the ball 229 times for 1,106 yards and 10 TDs.  He added 21 catches and 188 yards through the air.

Unfortunately, Gurley was a victim of the anemic offense in 2016.  Consequently, he carried the ball 278 times and gained 885 yards, scoring 6 TDs, a drastic YPC drop of 1.6 yards between years.  The bright spot was that he caught 43 passes for 327 yards in 2016.

Nov 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) hands off the ball to running back Todd Gurley (30) during the Rams’ 14-10 loss to at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) hands off the ball to running back Todd Gurley (30) during the Rams’ 14-10 loss to at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /

The Rams offense is predicated on the success of Todd Gurley and phasing him out early isn’t smart.  Jared Goff relies on the defense having to worry where Gurley is at all times, integral towards his growth.

Furthermore, he is once again their best weapon, and taking him off the field won’t help the offense.

Ultimately, the Rams did bolster their offense in the off-season.  They added Andrew Whitworth and John Sullivan to help their poor line play from a year ago.  Working from in outward, they added Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp at the wide receiver position.  These additions are essential for Gurley, so he isn’t seeing defenders in the backfield as he gets the ball.

Gurley is the best player on the Rams, so he should still see heavy usage.  The question now is if he is the guy in the beginning of his rookie year or the guy since then.  Hopefully, the Rams utilize him like the RB1 talent he is, rather than a run-of-the-mill, two-down back.  I expect him to be around the

I expect him to be around the 1,000-yard plateau with 30 catches this year for 270 yards.

Hopefully, he hits on with his double-digit touchdown upside.

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