Dean Connors ripped off 69 rushing yards on 18 carries in the Los Angeles Rams’ preseason finale against the Chargers, leading his team to a 20-18 win and absolutely making their final roster cutdown day a serious headache. This undrafted rookie from Houston has given the Rams all they can handle when it comes to filling out their running backs room, and honestly, you gotta love to see it.
This Undrafted Dude Is Built Different
Look, we all know Connors isn’t going to be RB1 or RB2 with Kyren Williams and Blake Corum locked into those spots. But his preseason performances, especially that finale, are an incredibly encouraging sign of what he could offer this team if he makes the final 53-man roster. The dude is a gamer, plain and simple. He’s 5-foot-11, 205 pounds, so he’s stocky, but man, he runs with an impressive smoothness. You watch how fluidly he breaks to the outside for a first down, and it’s pure artistry. The Rams weren’t hiding the run; twin tight ends to the left, C.J. Daniels motions in-line, play flows right, and boom, a cutback lane opens. One of those tight ends washes out the D-end, and Connors swiftly cuts, bounces to the outside without slowing his momentum, then beats a cornerback to the boundary for a 12-yard gain. A quick-twitch cut, a second gear to create an explosive play. That’s the kind of juice Sean McVay lives for.
Vision, Patience, And Pure Grit
It’s not just the explosiveness either; Connors flashes some serious vision and patience, too. Yeah, the offensive line was wrecking shop against the Chargers, blowing them off the ball. But how many times have we seen backs, even roster-worthy guys, lack the patience to wait for the perfect lane? Connors has it. He’s willing to wait for the hole, then responds instantly once it opens. Instead of trying to be a battering ram or bouncing outside too early, he stays perfectly in phase with his blockers and takes the easy gain straight ahead. He makes a quick cut right, then knows exactly when to ease off the gas so he doesn’t outrun his protection. It sounds simple, but trust me, watching the league, it’s way harder than it looks. Add in that toughness? Who doesn’t want that in their backfield?
So, what’s next for this undrafted phenom? The final 53-man roster cutdown is this weekend, and it’s gonna be a tough ask for Connors. But after putting up those numbers and showing off that skill set, the Rams have a real decision on their hands. He’s made an undeniable case to be on that squad and make an impact this season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Turf Show Times.
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