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It sounds like Steven Jackson is probably on his way out of St. Louis. Over the weekend, TST reported that the veteran running back is likely to see free agency. Later on, Adam Schefter said that Jackson would probably find a $7 million deal on the free agent market.
So what do the Rams do? They have Isaiah Pead, and listening to Fisher and Snead talk this week at the Combine, it's clear he figures big in the plans for next season.
"They are going to have a role," Snead said about Pead and receiver Chris Givens. "We are excited about them. They are both fast, teams are spreading people out, speed is huge and those two players have it. We are expecting them to be even better their sophomore year."
Fisher was more blunt, telling a smaller group of reporters after his press conference that Pead was capable of being "the guy," i.e. something other than just a change of pace back. Still, this is a team that clearly would not be content with just one running back taking on the workload. Daryl Richardson showed some limited possibility. Undrafted free agent Terrance Ganaway has some power potential. Still, counting on either one of those two to replace Jackson isn't ideal. The Rams would almost certainly need another back to pair with Pead.
Alabama running back Eddie Lacy has been a semi-popular pick for the Rams, but using a first or even second-round pick doesn't make sense, not when there's help to be found later in the draft.
Knile Davis, Arkansas
Davis erased his lost 2012 season at Arkansas with a great workout at the Combine. What's attractive about him is that he has great combination of size and speed. He may not play as fast as his 4.3 40 time, but he moves very well and looks like a nice, versatile match with Pead.
On the downside, Davis has some real injury concerns and showed a knack for untimely fumbles with the Hogs. As a third-round pick, he's probably worth a look for a team that needs playmaking help on offense.
Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina
Obviously, the injury analysis here is everything. In Indianapolis, everything was coming up roses, with Dr. Andrews himself bragging how far Lattimore was ahead of his schedule (and not with a gun to his head like with the Redskins and RGIII).
Recovery aside, how much has he lost? Lattimore was a powerful runner who gashed SEC defenses for more than four yards per carry before that terrible knee injury. It's a risk, but if he's around later in the draft, taking a risk would be very wise for the Rams.
Le'Veon Bell, Michigan State
He officially ran a 4.6 40. Some had him under that. Either way, it's pretty good for a 230-pound guy, which is also the range for Jackson. Of course, Jackson ran a 4.45 40, but we're not talking about first-round picks like that here, just looking for some complementary sleepers with upside to pair with Pead.
Christine Michael, Texas A&M
Yeah, he had some issues in college with injury and Kevin Sumlin's doghouse. Water under the bridge, right? That what he said at the Combine. He led the Combine with a 43-inch vertical jump, so ... he can jump really far? He does have speed, more than you'd think, and has an nice ability to work between the tackles. A bonus, especially if the Rams lose SJax, is that he has some blitz pick up skills.
Stepfan Taylor, Stanford
A 4.76 40 time isn't going to make you a first or second-day pick. Taylor's record from college is solid, even if he is never going to be a breakaway threat in the open field. He's a low-end power option.