St. Louis Rams running back Toddy Gurley's career didn't get off to a booming start when he made his debut in Week 3, and the rookie said in a St. Louis Times-Dispatch report that he's still getting adjusted.
Todd Gurley still adjusting to offense, fantasy value remains long-term
Like any rookie, Todd Gurley is going through a steep learning curve at the NFL level. We break down the fantasy implications.
Gurley spoke of the outside zone concept being something he had never run while at the University of Georgia. Via Joe Lyons:
“We had an outside zone run (in college at Georgia), but we never ran it,” Gurley said. “It definitely requires patience, getting those ‘backers to flow and stretching the D-end, making sure you’re pressing the track and making the cut at the heels of the line.
“It’s something new to whole offense and definitely new to me, but it’s no excuse.”
Fantasy impact: After not touching the ball in the first quarter of Week 3's 12-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Gurley totaled just 15 yards on the afternoon and looked tentative on many of his assignments. That said, for a rookie running back making his debut, while proving his worth after a major surgery, his results aren't something that should be held against him. Adjustments to a new level of football are to be expected for any rookie, let alone one that sat out the entire summer and beyond.
Gurley's fantasy value remains long-term, and is a flex play at best for Week 4's contest with the stout Arizona Cardinals lining up across from him. He is not yet a must-start despite his talent.
