Late-Round Steal: Should Rams Draft Syracuse RB Sean Tucker?

Syracuse's running back Sean Tucker was one of college football's most elite running backs last season as he rushed for 1,060 yards and 11 touchdowns. Should the Los Angeles Rams give him a look in the 2023 NFL draft?

With current starting running back Cam Akers entering the last year of his rookie deal, and the diminishing market for running back in free agency, it looks unlikely that the Los Angeles Rams will give him a second contract. 

And outside of Akers, the only other running backs the Rams have on their roster are Ronnie Rivers and Kyren Williams, who have a combined 44 career carries. 

As such, it seems clear that the Rams should look to add another running back in the 2023 NFL draft. 

Luckily for general manager Les Snead, this year's draft is deep at the running back position. 

Many running backs drafted during the later rounds are projected to have solid NFL careers, including Syracuse's Sean Tucker, who could be a Rams target on Day 3

Tucker was the team's lead back from the moment he joined Syracuse. He was the team's leading rusher in all three seasons with Syracuse. 

After 2021, many college football scouts touted Tucker as an early favorite for the 2022 Heisman trophy. His 2021 campaign was one where he rushed for 1,515 yards and 12 touchdowns. 

But in 2022, his stats dropped as he only rushed for 1,062 and 11 touchdowns. Tucker also received 40 fewer carries in 2022 than in 2021. The simple answer for his steep in numbers is that Syracuse was a much better football team in 2022 and did not need to rely on Tucker as much as they did in 2021, which shouldn't be a knock on Tucker during the pre-draft process.

Tucker is an intriguing option for the Rams because he can do something they have not had in the running back since the Todd Gurley days—a running back who can run and catch out of the backfield. Tucker had 64 career catches at Syracuse.

The Rams need more pass catchers currently, which could give Tucker a chance to be a day-one contributor.

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