Rams Player Needs: Quarterbacks and Runningbacks

The Rams have many need leading into the upcoming NFL Draft, so I'll be taking a look at each one and seeing what could use improvement. First off are quarterbacks and runningbacks.


QUARTERBACKS
The Rams seem pretty much set at starting quarterback. With no inclination to use the second overall pick to draft the highly coveted Robert Griffin III (or alternatively the less coveted but possibly overvalued Ryan Tannehill), the Rams will once again go with Sam Bradford as their man. This was the right decision. Griffin may be an intriguing prospect, but then again there seems to be one every year. Bradford only has two years under his belt, with two different offensive systems. He deserves at least two more years to prove himself. Behind Bradford, though, the situation isn't as clear. Both backups A.J. Feeley and Kellen Clemens will be unrestricted free agents, which could hamper plans for the team to bring both back. Both are important, as evidenced by last season's Week 17 game against the 49ers when the team was forced to go with their last string quarterback in Tom Brandstater after an injury to Clemens (Feeley and Bradford were also injured). Clemens figures to be the more likely of the two to come back, considering his familiarity with new offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer's system while with the Jets for 4 years. The Rams could also pull a flier on some veteran.

OUTLOOK: The Rams will probably find a way to sign some veteran or re-sign Clemens and/or Feeley. Don't look for them to draft a QB.


RUNNING BACKS
Steven Jackson returns as the undisputed top back, but the Rams will soon need to figure out a contingency plan once Jackson starts to slow down. Jackson, at 28, is still as good as ever, recording his 7th straight season of 1,000 yards rushing. Clearly, however, the Rams backups have been less than spectacular. As of now, the Rams only have Quinn Porter and Chase Reynolds locked up. Porter has shown his value mostly on special teams, and Reynolds is a practice squad guy. Unrestricted free agents Cadillac Williams and Jerious Norwood were only so-so in cleanup duty last season, and it is very possible the Rams will not bring one or both of them back. Considering the beating that Jackson takes every season, it would be wise to invest some sort of tailback this season.

OUTLOOK: Look for the Rams to possibly sign back Norwood or Williams, but not both. The Rams would be wise to take a mid round flier on a running back that can be Jackson's understudy/change-of-pace back.