Draft analyst Kyle Crabbs also wrote something similar<\/a>,<\/p>\n\u201cHunter is a linear player and lacks the same appeal when playing with a loose lower half. He doesn\u2019t string cuts together particularly well, and he\u2019s mostly a tightly wound ball of muscle as opposed to a slippery, fluid runner through tight creases and spaces.\u201d<\/p>\n
While Hunter has a high percentage of 5+ yard runs, he also has seven that have gone for no gain or negative yardage. That\u2019s a rate of 26.9 percent. It\u2019s also become clear that Kyren Williams and Blake Corum should and will be used in short yardage situations. Hunter has five rushing attempts in three-yards-or-less-to-go situations. He has converted on just one of those. Additionally, he is 0-for-3 on third down and three yards or less to go.<\/p>\n
The reasoning for this goes to Hunter\u2019s scouting report. Hunter simply doesn\u2019t have the same shiftiness that Corum or Williams has behind the line of scrimmage and lacks the ability to string cuts together. Too often, Hunter has run into the backs of his offensive linemen. That was the case in one of his goal-to-go carries against the Chargers. At times, Hunter has lacked patience at the line of scrimmage or shown an inability to cut back into a hole that opens up.<\/p>\n
This is not to say that Hunter is a bust or hasn\u2019t done anything well. Again, he has run through contact well once he\u2019s gotten to the second level. The reason that the Rams like Williams is because of his ability to keep the offense on schedule. Williams is a consistent singles hitter. While Hunter may strike out more, he\u2019s also going to hit more doubles and the occasional home run.<\/p>\n
With Hunter, the Rams will simply need to be more conscious about getting him the ball in space. They will need to utilize him in wide zone, on toss plays, and screens. This allows him to get up to speed which is where he is the most dangerous. Hunter\u2019s best runs against the Chargers came when he was able to get outside the numbers.<\/p>\n
This experience in the preseason will be good for Hunter and his development. These are his first NFL snaps and he should continue to improve. Still, it\u2019s also become clear that Williams and Corum are the top two running backs in the Rams backfield.<\/p>\n
When it comes to Presley, this isn\u2019t someone who is going to make the roster, but he\u2019ll be a very good stash on the practice squad. He has the mindset of a player that the Rams like who plays bigger than his size. He had six receptions for 102 yards receiving and has a speed element that the Rams have lacked. He\u2019ll be someone to keep around for next year when Tutu Atwell is no longer under contract. He has a similar playmaking ability. Tru Edwards also deserves a mention. He was taken off of the PUP list and caught the game-winning touchdown.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s probably a good thing when an offensive lineman is getting overshadowed because other offensive linemen are playing well. That\u2019s the case when it comes to Wyatt Bowles. He has yet to allow a pressure in the preseason on 62 pass protection snaps. Bowles has also been strong in the run game. Much like Presley, it\u2019s unlikely that Bowles makes the roster, but he\u2019s been a surprise and should land on the practice squad.<\/p>\n
Brennan Jackson could certainly get placed here as well given the game that he had with two sacks. With that said, Johnson had the better overall performance and was involved on both of Jackson\u2019s big plays. On Jackson\u2019s second sack, Johnson ran a stunt and opened up the pass rush lane for the Rams edge rusher. The competition on the Rams defensive line is going to be interesting, but Johnson made his case against the Chargers.<\/p>\n
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