Random Ramsdom: Rookie running back Jake Funk is making moves

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The Los Angeles Rams released their first version of the 2021 depth chart on Tuesday. RB1 is third year and former 70th overall pick Darrell Henderson Jr. That position was fairly clear since day one of training camp. Listed at the second running back spot are two names, second year Xavier Jones and the rookie taken 233rd overall, Jake Funk. The third spot in the running back depth is second year rusher Raymond Calais. This seems to indicate that Funk is in competition with Jones for the back up role to Henderson.

Jones was seeing most of the reps and carries with the second offense and some of the turns with the first group rotating in for Henderson. That was during the first and middle part of training camp. In the last few days, Funk has seen increased reps and carries with the twos and has also been taking some reps with the ones in place of Henderson.

The upside to Funk comes from his five game stretch in 2020 where he rushed for 516 yards for an average of 8.6 yards per carry. The concern is mainly due to his missed games and two knee surgeries during his time at Maryland. So, if he can stay healthy and find a contributing role, it would mean good value for a running back selected in the seventh round. It seems the rookie running back has made the most of his training camp opportunities. Next, he’ll look to do the same in the preseason games against first, the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday August 14th.

And now for today’s links:

RAMS NEWS:

Younger players making plays: 10 Observations from Day 10 of Training Camp (Rams.com)

From the Podium: Sean McVay, Rob Havenstein and Terrell Burgess react to Day 10 of Training Camp (Rams.com)

Rams release first unofficial depth chart (Rams.com)

6 surprise omissions from LA Rams first depth chart (RamblinFan)

NFL NEWS:

Patrick Robinson retiring, adding to New Orleans Saints’ CB dilemma (ESPN)

Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin acknowledges that T.J. Watt isn’t practicing because of contract negotiations (ESPN)

Training Camp Buzz: Rookie QB Sam Ehlinger seeing first-team reps at Colts practice (NFL.com)

NFL preseason: An executive’s guide to constructing the 53-man roster (NFL.com)