The St. Louis Rams have a lot of NFL Draft picks to watch for in 2012, but as they take on the Indianapolis Colts in their preseason debut Sunday the most immediately interesting question could be just how well Isaiah Pead, their second-round running back, works in complement to long-time star Steven Jackson. Pead is the change-of-pace guy now, but if he performs strongly enough in that role the Rams have made it clear that he could be their future at the position.

It's been a long time since the Rams have had a strong running back behind Jackson—in fact, it might not have been since Jackson was the guy behind Marshall Faulk. When Cadillac Williams was healthy last year the Rams got a rare look at just how effective their running game could be when Jackson wasn't their only option there; this year they'll have fresh legs to throw at the problem.

More St. Louis Rams vs. Indianapolis Colts coverage from SB Nation St. Louis:

• The St. Louis Rams also need to see big games from Sam Bradford... and Jeff Fisher.
• Indianapolis Colts fans, meanwhile, just need to see Andrew Luck.