Well, i think there ‘is’ an argument that the Rams should have taken a RB further down in the draft, i guess.
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I’ve been discussing the “taking backs lower” argument with various people. I find it to be a myth. I looked at the hit rate on backs taken after round 3 and it’s horrendously low. For every Aaron Jones taken in round 5, there;s 20 guys who do nothing (those numbers are not an exaggeration).
I also looked at backs taken in rounds 2 and 3, and it is of course a much higher hit rate–above 50%.
My feeling is this. McVay didn’t want “A back,” he wanted “THE back”–a guy with a high floor and ceiling, who fits, who promises immediate production, and who has all the traits he needs and admires. He locked in on Akers. If having a high functioning running game is important to him, then, so be it.
Think of all the great backs from Rams history. Not a single one (that comes to mind) was taken lower than round 3. Dickerson, Faulk (trade but originally round 1), Jackson, Gurley, Tyler, McCutcheon, Bettis….