The Los Angeles Rams are in the process of looking for talent and top running back prospect Kimani Vidal is in the process of finding his perfect fit in the NFL. LAFB Network’s Ian Van Roy asked Vidal at the Senior Bowl exclusively about whether he was interested in joining the Los Angeles Rams in April.
Exclusive Senior Bowl Interview
Q: What would your reaction be if the Los Angeles Rams selected you? Would you consider that a good ending to this process?
A: “Yeah, I mean definitely. The Chargers are a great organization. They have a great offense. I’d love to be a part of that offense.”
If the answer seemed a bit confusing, that’s because it appears the running back may have committed a Freudian slip. Freudian slips reveal what a speaker is subconsciously thinking as the mind replaces words spoken with others. Meaning, the running back might have an interest in the Los Angeles Chargers as well as the Rams.
His follow-up to the statement didn’t provide any extra clarification, either. He stated that he’d love to be part of the “great offense.” Both teams arguably have a great offense. The Los Angeles Rams have Sean McVay, Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, and Kyren Williams. Meanwhile, the Chargers have Justin Herbert, Keenan Allen, and Austin Ekeler.
Above all, the biggest underlying theme of the statement is that he would be thrilled to be in Los Angeles, whether it be with the Chargers or the Rams.
How would Kimani Vidal fit with the Los Angeles Rams?
As powerful as Kyren Williams’ sophomore performance was this year, there was unfortunately a glaring issue. When on the field, he was as explosive as any back in the game, but he missed about a month this season due to injury. He also missed a good chunk of his rookie season due to injury. As a result, the offense slipped into hard times.
Adding a top running back prospect like Vidal would provide fortification for the rushing attack with a soldier that could step in and do some damage alongside Williams. The Rams knew that they risked injuring Williams if they used him as a bellcow, but they had no choice but to do so. Adding Vidal would force the team to share the load in the heat of the moment potentially without feeling like leaving yards on the field.
How would Kimani Vidal fit with the Los Angeles Chargers?
Put simply, Austin Ekeler was not his old self in the 2023 season. After eclipsing 1500 total yards and 18 total touchdowns in 2021 and 2022, he earned just over 1000 yards and six touchdowns in 2023. If the tread is wearing thin on the tires, it would seemingly be imperative for the team to rush to the NFL Draft this season for a running back. Vidal could be their answer.
Vidal earned roughly 3000 yards and 25 touchdowns in his final 28 games with the Troy Trojans throughout 2022 and 2023. During that time, his team went 12-2 and 11-3. In the year before his explosive performances, the team went 5-7.