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3 reasons why Todd Gurley wins the Rams’ starting RB job

By Connor Muldowney

Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Todd Gurley (Georgia) poses for a photo after being selected as the number 10th overall pick to the St. Louis Rams in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Todd Gurley (Georgia) poses for a photo after being selected as the number 10th overall pick to the St. Louis Rams in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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The St. Louis Rams drafted running back Todd Gurley with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. Why will he win the starting job over Zac Stacy?

Just moments after the St. Louis Rams chose Georgia‘s Todd Gurley with the No. 10 pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, current running back Zac Stacy took to Twitter to voice his opinion. One word described exactly how he felt at that moment: “yikes.”

After the tweet, news broke that Stacy was asking the Rams for a trade or a release, basically giving up the starting job although the competition hadn’t even started yet.

Recording stellar rookie numbers in 2013, Stacy took a giant leap backward in 2014, mainly because the carries weren’t there for him. As a rookie, Stacy racked up 973 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 3.9 yards per carry. In 2014, he finished with just 293 yards and a score, also averaging 3.9 yards per touch.

Stacy may have a reason to be upset with the draft selection as it seemed like the backfield battle this offseason would be pretty easy with him getting a second chance to prove himself for this team, but Gurley is here to change all that.

He should have known his fate was decided months ago when the Rams had Gurley atop their draft board, according to Adam Schefter.

Let’s take a look at three reasons why Gurley will win this starting battle.

1. The Rams like Gurley more

We might as well face the facts here. The Rams have wanted Gurley for months as he has been atop their draft boards. The team most likely feels like they gave Stacy an adequate chance to prove himself, but nothing amounted of it.

Gurley may be a bit injury prone, but by drafting him with the No. 10 pick, the Rams are proving they have confidence that he will be able to carry the team, literally.

2. Gurley is a better receiver out of the backfield

Gurley just flat-out brings more to the table than Stacy. As a receiver out of the backfield, Gurley had the ability to catch 37 passes for 441 yards and six touchdowns in 2013 when he was somewhat healthy.

Showing that he can be a force as a receiver as well as in the run game shows he’s the ultimate versatility threat, that with the likes of Jamaal Charles.

3. He’s more explosive

Watch Todd Gurley’s game film and try to not be impressed with what he brings to the table. Before his injuries, he had some of the best jukes and speed out of any running back that I’ve seen since watching college football.

He could make guys miss and even break tackles like the best players in the league. Don’t hate me for saying this, but he has a little Barry Sanders in him. If he can stay healthy at the next level, Gurley could be an all-pro type of back and a consistent 1,400-yard rusher and 400-yard receiver.

Sorry, Zac, but your starting days are over. You already knew this, though.

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