Rams' Running Back Breakdown: Should You Add Darrell Henderson, Zach Evans or Royce Freeman?
The Los Angeles Rams running back situation was a tricky situation heading into week 7, and I’m not sure a clear answer was given by how things played out in the team’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Los Angeles had backs Kyren Williams and Ronnie Rivers go down with injuries in week 6. Williams had been the starter, while Rivers was the No. 2 guy. Both guys are now on injured reserve.
During the week, the Rams added Darrell Henderson, Royce Freeman and Myles Gaskin to the active roster. Those three were brought in to help out Zach Evans, who was the only back on the active roster before week 7.
Let’s take a look at how things played out, the road ahead and then finally which back or backs you’ll want to have on your fantasy teams.
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Week 7 Breakdown
While many fantasy owners had Evans pegged as the lead back, he actually didn’t play a single snap. Henderson led the team with 39 offensive snaps played, while Freeman was on the field for 29 snaps. Gaskin was inactive.
Freeman led the way with 66 rushing yards on 12 attempts, including a long run of 15 yards. Henderson had the best fantasy day though, rushing 18 times for 61 yards and a touchdown, while adding a 5-yard catch on two targets.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford attempted the team’s only other rush. Surprisingly, LA rushed more times (31) than it passed (29).
Running Back Outlook
With Williams and Rivers out at least the next three weeks, Henderson and Freeman appear poised to lead the team’s backfield now. Given how much the team trusted them this past week, I don't see a reason why they wouldn't remain involved until Williams returns.
They will only need to cover two more games, as the Rams have their bye week coming up. LA will face off against the Dallas Cowboys in week 8 before a week 9 matchup with the Green Bay Packers.
Those are two very different upcoming games, as the Cowboys are one of the best in the league against the run and the Packers are one of the worst. Dallas allows only 15 fantasy points to running backs a week, while Green Bay surrenders 28.
If things play out the next two weeks like they did in week 7, you’ll have a tough decision to make this coming week before a pretty easy decision the following week.
I think both Henderson and Freeman produced enough in their time on the field this week to see a similar amount of snaps in the next two weeks. I think Henderson will continue to play a few extra snaps, but for both backs to produce pretty similar statlines. Just like it was this week, if either guy is able to score, that might be the only difference in their fantasy outputs.
Who to Roster/Start Going Forward
With some data in front of you from week 7 and a look into the team’s next two opponents, you should have a pretty good idea of how to proceed.
In standard formats, Henderson should be viewed as the lead back in Los Angeles. If all the Rams’ backs are on the waiver wire, make Henderson your top priority. He should get strong consideration for your starting lineup over the next two weeks. I think he’s also got the best chance to remain a part of the team’s offense when Williams and Rivers return, so don’t drop him when the team’s bye week hits.
Freeman should be priority No. 2. He’s going to get enough snaps and touches over the next couple weeks to warrant at least a roster spot. He’s more of a starting option for me in deeper formats, but he also won’t be the worst option in standard leagues for the next couple weeks.
I think Evans can safely be dropped in all leagues. I could see why you’d want to hold onto him in deeper leagues, or dynasty leagues, but he might now be fourth or fifth on the depth chart when all the team’s backs are healthy.
Gaskin simply seems like an insurance player at this point. There’s no need to roster him in any format. If there’s a couple more injuries, then he could possibly factor in, but I’d doubt it at this point.
Our charts show that Evans is the top-owned healthy back, at 55%. Freeman is at 40%, while Henderson sits at 33%. Henderson should lead the way in that department by the time week 8 kicks off, with Freeman a few percent behind him and Evans a distant afterthought.
