Rams news: Los Angeles plans to use Darrell Henderson as a 'Chris Thompson type'

A lot has been made out of the drafting of back Darrell Henderson in the third-round via the Los Angeles Rams. But don't expect him to be a bell-cow yet.

A lot has been made of the Los Angeles Rams drafting running back Darrell Henderson in the third round. It's justifiable.

Darrell Henderson, to many, looks the part of a future bellcow back, but the Rams already have that in Todd Gurley. However, Gurley's knee injury (arthritis) has been a catalyst of conversation revolving around their offense. In the playoffs, Gurley didn't look like the player he was in the regular season and has not yet practiced in training camp.

However, Henderson won't be the lead back in Los Angeles. That will still be Gurley, despite his concerning ailment. Instead, according to Yahoo! Sports' Charles Robinson, the plan for the Rams is to utilize Henderson in a similar role to Chris Thompson while playing under Sean McVay. That means Henderson will be used as more of a receiver out of the backfield, while Malcolm Brown gets more carries.

Throughout his career, Thompson has recorded more receiving yards than rushing yards every season. The 2016 season, with McVay as his offensive coordinator, was one of his best years playing in the backfield-receiver role. He caught 49 passes (79% catch rate), turning them into 349 yards and two scores. The next season, without McVay, but playing in a similar scheme (Gruden West Coast), he caught 39 passes (72.2% catch rate) for 510 yards and four touchdowns in 10 games.

It makes sense to use Henderson as a receiver. In 2018, at the University of Memphis, the back caught 22 passes for 295 yards and three touchdowns. He's a natural pass catcher and a threat in open space. Though a one-speed runner, he can accelerate downfield in a jiffy and has an array of moves in his arsenal.