RB Isaiah Pead, St. Louis Rams

HT: 5-10, WT: 197, Born: 12-14-1989, College: Cincinnati, Drafted: Round 2

2013 Projections

Average draft position

Current as of May 6th. [Full ADP list]

Overall: M Ball (115), R Williams (116), Isaiah Pead (117), G Bernard (118), C Givens (119)
Position: M Ball (115-RB44), R Williams (116-RB45), Isaiah Pead (117 - RB46), G Bernard (118-RB47), D Harris (122-RB48)
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PPR Average draft position

Current as of May 6th. [Full PPR ADP list]

Overall: B Pettigrew (126), R Hillman (127), Isaiah Pead (128), C Ivory (129), C Givens (130)
Position: K Moreno (119-RB46), R Hillman (127-RB47), Isaiah Pead (128 - RB48), C Ivory (129-RB49), J Dwyer (133-RB50)
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Best Case

Pead is the most highly-drafted back in St.Louis and received very little playing time as a rookie. A full offseason does wonders and he emerges as the lead back in a committee situation.

Worst Case

Pead was outplayed by fellow rookie Daryl Richardson last season and spent all but 39 offensive snaps on the sidelines. Running backs generally show their stripes quickly in the NFL and Pead was kept off the field. Zac Stacy was drafted this year and fits Jeff Fisher's previous lead backs' dimensions. Pead and Richardson fight for passing down work as the second and third options.

Outlook

Pead will fight all summer for playing time against Daryl Richardson and Zac Stacy in one of the more hotly contested depth chart battles. Pead's NFL resume is limited as he seldom saw the field in 2012. His build fits that of a change-of-pace option more than lead back, tempering expectations of ultimately winning the starting job.

2013 Schedule

2012 Game Summaries

Week 3 - Pead came in for the final series of the game for the Rams. He lined up in the backfield, and took a check down from Bradford and was tackled immediately for a four yard gain. He is clearly the #3 back on the team behind Jackson and Richardson.

Week 6 - Pead had very limited action in this game, rarely seeing the field as the third running back. His lone target resulted in a short gain over the middle in which he was quickly tackled.

Week 8 - Pead was successful in mop up duty. His 19 yard gain included 5 broken tackles and he showed good burst through small holes.

Week 10 - Pead had a terrible game, fumbling on a kickoff return in the first half that rolled out of bounds, then fumbling again on a kickoff return in the second half that did not roll out of bounds, but right in to the arms of the San Francisco special teams. On his one reception, Pead made a great move up field and picked up a first down, but again the ball came out. This time he was ruled down by contact.

Week 16 - Pead’s one carry was a pitch in the 1st quarter, and the penetration was good enough to stop the back at the line. Pead was never heard from again.

Week 17 - Pead got his most significant action of the 2012 campaign, doubling his season total in carries. It was clear the 2nd drive of the 2nd half was scripted for the RB, as he opened the drive with three consecutive carries before picking up two more, including one from the Seattle five-yard line. Pead looked like a combination of the other two backs, a bit quicker than Jackson and stronger than Daryl Richardson. Pead was decisive, attacking the holes immediately on both his seven-yard runs. Later, on a toss, Pead exhibited patience and was able to pick up five yards. Pead struggled to find any space on his goal line carry, getting stood up right at the line of scrimmage before giving way to Jackson on 3rd down.