LA Rams: Way-too-early skill position projections for the 2018 season

Running back:

• Todd Gurley:

• 1,600 rushing yards, 15 rushing touchdowns, 600 receiving yards, four receiving touchdowns

Todd Gurley led the NFL in yards from scrimmage last season and was the only player to eclipse the 2,000-yard mark. Next season, Gurley will likely repeat the feat, this time with less receiving yards and more rushing yards.

Like Goff, Gurley only played in 15 games last season as the Rams decided to sit the starters in the last game of the season against the San Francisco 49ers. With 16 games played, this statistical projection has Gurley averaging 100 rushing yards per game, just under a rushing touchdown per game, 37.5 receiving yards per game and one receiving touchdown every four games.

Gurley will still have an impact on both aspects of the offense, however, his impact in the passing game may be smaller. Brandin Cooks is the perfect check down and go receiver as well as a deep threat. With the rest of the receiving core only getting better, Goff will need to rely on Gurley less and will sling the ball down the field more often.

Still, this is an MVP worthy season.

• Malcolm Brown:

• 200 rushing yards, one touchdown, 100 receiving yards, one touchdown

I am being kind of generous with Malcolm Brown’s production as Todd Gurley’s backup. Realistically, Brown won’t do much for the Rams as Gurley will have a majority of the workload.

However, with the Rams likely winning several games by blowout, Malcolm will see time in the final drive of games and will be to put something in the box score. Brown will not see time weekly, but there will likely be at least one game in which he breaks free for a 40-yard run, making the 200-yard total possible.

We are also assuming that Brown will have one big receiving play this season. Yes, this is just an assumption, but a 60-yard screen for a touchdown will get Brown to the 100-yard mark and his lone receiving touchdown.