Isaiah

Pead

The Rams acquired the No. 50 and No. 150 picks from the Bears in exchange for the No. 45 pick. Likened to Jamaal Charles by NFL Films guru Greg Cosell, Pead — who checks in at a slightly undersized 5-10, 197 — will be called on to provide a lightning change-of-pace to the aging Steven Jackson’s thunder. Also an excellent returner and receiver, Pead will be ticketed for a third-down role as a rookie, but is unlikely to be much of a fantasy asset with S-Jax still one of the league’s better pass-catching backs. He’s an intriguing dynasty-league option.

Schefter stated that “a lot of teams really coveted Pead,” and he wouldn’t have been available much longer after the 50th pick. Though Pead is a smallish 5-foot-10, 197, he shares many traits with Rams coach Jeff Fisher’s 2008 first-round pick in Tennessee, Chris Johnson. Both backs were billed as change-up complementary runners coming out of college. Both had 197-pound Combine weigh-ins, and both ran 10-yard splits in the 1.4s. While it’s likely Pead will eventually have to be paired with a more powerful runner, he’s in prime depth-chart position behind a 29-year-old with significantly more career carries than any active NFL running back.

His two “unofficial” times were 4.41 and 4.41, but the “official” time is measured electronically as opposed to on an individual’s stopwatch. The Senior Bowl MVP, Pead also had one of the faster ten-yard splits in Indianapolis at 1.50 seconds. He measured in at 5-foot-10 1/8, 197 earlier in the week.

Cosell says Pead is one of his “favorite players on film.” It’s high praise for a 5-foot-10, 193 pound back who ran a 4.47 40 at the Combine in addition to a 1.50 10-yard split. A possible day-two pick, Pead will likely be ticketed for a third-down role early in his NFL career.

Pead (5'10/193) totaled 133 all-purpose yards, showcasing his elusiveness on punt returns of 60 and 38 yards that set up scoring drives for the North. Projected as a middle-round pick, Pead averaged 5.3 yards per carry with 1,259 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns as a college senior. A number of talent evaluators believe he can be an effective third-down back in the NFL.

Pead still “gets lost every once in awhile” after missing offseason practices due to Cincinnati’s late graduation date, but coach Jeff Fisher has been impressed by his run skills, pass protection, receiving ability and finishing. NFL Films analyst Greg Cosell opined after the draft that there “isn’t much difference” between Pead and LeSean McCoy coming out of college. Rotoworld’s Adam Levitan ranks Pead as the No. 5 fantasy “handcuff” this season.

Richardson (12 touches, 55 yards) played extensively with Sam Bradford and the starters while Pead entered primarily with the second-team offense. While it was nice to finally see Pead playing with confidence, Richardson did nothing to lose ground. The two will both see action behind Steven Jackson, leaving the starter without an obvious handcuff.

Pead returned just eight punts and one kickoff in college, but he certainly possesses the change-of-direction and homerun-hitting ability to be an asset on returns. Danny Amendola should resume punt returns, though the kickoff job is vacant after Jerious Norwood and Quinn Porter weren’t invited back. Fellow rookies DB Trumaine Johnson and WR Chris Givens could also be in the mix.

“He just really hasn’t been given an opportunity to hit a crease and show what he can do,” Fisher said. “The game did slow down a little bit for him after Week 1. I think from a run skill standpoint, all you have to do is look at those two kickoff returns and you’ll get a sense of what he can do in the open field.” Although Pead hasn’t run with confidence in preseason action, it sounds like Fisher believes he’s finally turning the corner and adjusting to NFL speed.

Pead has missed OTAs due to Cincinnati’s late graduation, but he’ll be worth watching closely this preseason. Pead posted a rare sub-1.50 ten-yard split at the Combine, showing terrific short-area explosion and burst. NFL Films’ Greg Cosell has likened Pead to LeSean McCoy coming out of college, and the Rams reportedly project Pead as overworked Steven Jackson’s heir apparent.