Rams Hold Draft Meeting with Speedy Pitt RB Israel Abanikanda

The Los Angeles Rams are looking to find gems at running back that could provide them with some significant value in the later rounds of the draft.

The Los Angeles Rams don't seem to be satisfied with the current state of their running back room.

And after averaging the sixth-fewest rushing yards per game (97.7) and yards per attempt (four), who can blame them?

With the draft just a few weeks away, the Rams are looking to find gems at running back that could provide some significant value in the later rounds.

But if they blink too fast, they might miss speedy Pitt Panthers running back Israel Abanikanda. 

Luckily, per The Draft Network, the team met with him on Tuesday in order to get a bit more personable. One look at Abanikanda's collegiate stats and recent Pro Day numbers, and even more teams will be wanting to do the same.

Abanikanda, a 5-11, 215-pound back, dazzled at Pitt last season. He rushed 239 times for 1,431 yards and an impressive 20 touchdowns. In a 45-29 win over Virginia Tech on Oct. 8 of this past season, Abanikanda rushed 36 times for 320 yards and six touchdowns. Yes, really.

But while Rams general manager Les Snead certainly dropped his jaw at numbers like this, it was Abanikanda's impressive performance at Pitt's Pro Day on Wednesday that is helping him gain some steam ahead of the draft.

At his Pro Day on Wednesday, Abanikanda showed off a 41-inch vertical and ran an unofficial - yet blazing - 4.3 40-yard dash.

Drills and in-game numbers likely hardly matter to the Rams when it comes to the draft. 

But it'll be hard for them to ignore Abanikanda, who could continue to rise up the draft boards of NFL general managers and coaches as the big night in Kansas City gets closer and closer.

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You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7

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