The Los Angeles Rams entered the offseason needing to get more explosive at the running back position. While Kyren Williams has been a valuable piece of the offense, he lacks big-play ability. The Rams run game ranked last in explosive run percentage at 1.8 percent. Given how much the Rams like Williams, they were never going to move on from him and the team made a statement when they signed him to a three-year extension. Still, that doesn’t mean they weren’t going to add to the running back room and that’s exactly what the Rams did in the draft by selecting Auburn’s Jarquez Hunter.
Hunter was one of the more “explosive” running backs in the draft. His 18.9 percent explosive run rate at Auburn last season ranked second behind only RJ Harvey. However, the context behind Hunter’s production may be more impressive given that he played in the SEC.
The Rams selected Hunter as a complement to Williams. While he may not get involved heavily as a rookie, this is someone that the Rams really liked during the draft process. Through two preseason games, he has been the primary Rams running back with 26 rushing attempts. That’s the third-most among running backs in the preseason. He’s already displayed why the Rams drafted him, ranking 11th in carries of five yards or more at 42.3 percent. The fourth-round pick is also tied for first with seven missed tackles forced, six of which came against the Chargers.
Still, that doesn’t mean he’s been perfect either which is to be expected, running behind a backup offensive line and in his first NFL action. Among running backs with at least 10 carries, he ranks 32nd with just 3.7 yards per attempt. Hunter is also 28th in yards after contact per attempt, despite having moments in which he’s run hard through contact.
As of now, the Rams are getting exactly what they drafted, and that includes some of the negatives. As The Athletic’s Dane Brugler said,
“He isn’t the most creative or elusive runner at the line of scrimmage or in space, but he keeps his legs pumping to carry tacklers draped on his back. Overall, Hunter’s vision and tempo tend to run hot and cold, but he is a hammerhead with downhill burst to run through holes and into contact without gearing down.”
Draft analyst Kyle Crabbs also wrote something similar,
“Hunter is a linear player and lacks the same appeal when playing with a loose lower half. He doesn’t string cuts together particularly well, and he’s mostly a tightly wound ball of muscle as opposed to a slippery, fluid runner through tight creases and spaces.”
While Hunter has a high percentage of 5+ yard runs, he also has seven that have gone for no gain or negative yardage. That’s a rate of 26.9 percent. It’s also become clear that Kyren Williams and Blake Corum should and will be used in short yardage situations. Hunter has five rushing attempts in three-yards-or-less-to-go situations. He has converted on just one of those. Additionally, he is 0-for-3 on third down and three yards or less to go.
The reasoning for this goes to Hunter’s scouting report. Hunter simply doesn’t have the same shiftiness that Corum or Williams has behind the line of scrimmage and lacks the ability to string cuts together. Too often, Hunter has run into the backs of his offensive linemen. That was the case in one of his goal-to-go carries against the Chargers. At times, Hunter has lacked patience at the line of scrimmage or shown an inability to cut back into a hole that opens up.
This is not to say that Hunter is a bust or hasn’t done anything well. Again, he has run through contact well once he’s gotten to the second level. The reason that the Rams like Williams is because of his ability to keep the offense on schedule. Williams is a consistent singles hitter. While Hunter may strike out more, he’s also going to hit more doubles and the occasional home run.
With Hunter, the Rams will simply need to be more conscious about getting him the ball in space. They will need to utilize him in wide zone, on toss plays, and screens. This allows him to get up to speed which is where he is the most dangerous. Hunter’s best runs against the Chargers came when he was able to get outside the numbers.
This experience in the preseason will be good for Hunter and his development. These are his first NFL snaps and he should continue to improve. Still, it’s also become clear that Williams and Corum are the top two running backs in the Rams backfield.
Honorable Mentions
WR Brennan Presley
When it comes to Presley, this isn’t someone who is going to make the roster, but he’ll be a very good stash on the practice squad. He has the mindset of a player that the Rams like who plays bigger than his size. He had six receptions for 102 yards receiving and has a speed element that the Rams have lacked. He’ll be someone to keep around for next year when Tutu Atwell is no longer under contract. He has a similar playmaking ability. Tru Edwards also deserves a mention. He was taken off of the PUP list and caught the game-winning touchdown.
iOL Wyatt Bowles
It’s probably a good thing when an offensive lineman is getting overshadowed because other offensive linemen are playing well. That’s the case when it comes to Wyatt Bowles. He has yet to allow a pressure in the preseason on 62 pass protection snaps. Bowles has also been strong in the run game. Much like Presley, it’s unlikely that Bowles makes the roster, but he’s been a surprise and should land on the practice squad.
DL Desjuan Johnson
Brennan Jackson could certainly get placed here as well given the game that he had with two sacks. With that said, Johnson had the better overall performance and was involved on both of Jackson’s big plays. On Jackson’s second sack, Johnson ran a stunt and opened up the pass rush lane for the Rams edge rusher. The competition on the Rams defensive line is going to be interesting, but Johnson made his case against the Chargers.