The Rams' offense will look slightly different in 2019.
Starting running back Todd Gurley, who handled the majority of the backfield's carries, was released and signed with the Atlanta Falcons. Los Angeles also agreed to trade starting wide receiver Brandin Cooks and a 2021 fourth-round pick to the Houston Texans in exchange for the No. 57 overall pick in this year's draft.
"It's always super tough to lose friends who are teammates, and that's part of the business," Rams quarterback Jared Goff said on a video conference with local media Wednesday. "I understand there's a business in this game and those two guys understand that as well, and that was a decision made. Whatever the decision is, we move forward."
And as Goff looks to the future, he's confident in the options available to the Rams when it comes to how they address those departures.
When asked directly if there is someone already on the roster who can fulfill Cooks' role, Goff pointed to wide receiver Josh Reynolds because he's shown he can do it at a high level.
After Cooks went down with a concussion early in the London game against the Bengals last season, Reynolds was the next man up and finished with three receptions for 73 yards, including a 31-yard touchdown grab. Reynolds has 61 career receptions for 832 receiving and seven touchdowns entering his fourth NFL season and has not missed a regular season game over the last three years.
"I feel so comfortable with Josh," Goff said. "I'm excited to see him grow."
In the backfield, Rams general manager Les Snead said it will likely be a group approach unless, for example, one running back plays so well that they ride the hot hand.
Malcolm Brown primarily backed up Gurley, carrying the ball 69 times for 255 rushing yards and five touchdowns in 14 games last year and has a career average of 3.9 yards per rush attempt.
"He's always been a guy that's stepped in when he's needed to and contributed at a consistent level," Goff said of Brown.
Darrell Henderson, meanwhile, played in 13 games as a rookie, finishing with 39 carries for 147 rushing yards plus four receptions for 37 yards. Though he played less than nine percent of the team's offensive snaps last season, he showed enough in limited action to impress Goff.
"Fast, athletic, can catch extremely well," Goff said of Henderson. "He's got the ability to be a top guy, (but) we're going to have to wait and see."
The reason for that patience is because the Rams could also add another running back via the draft. McVay said Los Angeles is doing its due diligence on this year's class, but it "remains to be seen" whether they will actually address the position next week.
Additionally, though McVay nor Snead has specified the wide receiver position as one they're looking into, using the No. 57 overall pick to do so is a popular projection among experts' mock drafts.
Whether the Rams stick with what they have or address both positions via the draft, Goff reassured fans that the Rams will have players who can step up and continue to help the offense perform at a high level.
"That's how the game goes," Goff said. "Teams make changes all the time and we're going to find other contributors. Just relax, and it's gonna be just fine."
