Let’s preview the Rams running back position heading into training camp
The Los Angeles Rams running backs will be a major topic of discussion at training camp this summer. While Kyren Williams is a known commodity, there will be questions as to whether or not Blake Corum or Jarquez Hunter can slide into the number two role. How Corum and Hunter perform in training camp could also determine if head coach Sean McVay incorporates more of a committee approach.
2025 Rams projected Running Back depth chart
- Kyren Williams
- Blake Corum
- Jarquez Hunter
- Ronnie Rivers
- Cody Shrader
- Jordan Waters
When it comes to the Rams running backs, it’s pretty clear that Kyren Williams is the top guy in the backfield. He’s the player that McVay trusts the most to keep the offense on track and in pass protection.
While the Rams drafted Blake Corum in the third round last season, he only had 58 carries. The expectation will be for Corum to get more involved in year two. They also selected Jarquez Hunter in the fourth round. Hunter is a player that the Rams really liked during the pre-draft process.
Behind them, Ronnie Rivers has been a staple veteran presence in the room while Shrader has provided some value on special teams. Waters was signed as an undrafted free agent.
Rams Running Backs Have Variety
One thing that the Rams running backs have lacked the past few seasons is variety. In 2017 and 2018, the offense had the explosiveness and speed of Todd Gurley paired with the power of Malcolm Brown. Over the past two seasons, the running game has primarily been a one-speed machine with Williams. Williams has been fine and has done well to keep the offense on track, at the same time, the Rams run game has been missing something.
Corum may not have the game-breaking speed, but he does offer more shiftiness in the open field than Williams. Additionally, Hunter brings more of that open field speed and was second in the draft class in explosive run rate. There is a benefit of an offense having similar pieces as those pieces become interchangeable. At the same time, giving the defense something else to prepare for is also important. For the first time in a while, this group has some variety to it and it’s going to be interesting to see what that looks like on the field.
Can this group add explosiveness to offense?
It’s been no secret this offseason that the Rams run game has been one of the least explosive in the NFL over the last two seasons. A lot of that is due to Kyren Williams and his lack of breakaway speed and creativity in the open field. The Rams ranked dead last in explosive run rate last season and were 27th in 2023.
Explosive plays on offense are the key in the modern NFL as it makes scoring much easier and more likely. Running backs coach Ron Gould recently said about Williams this offseason, “The first thing that stood out to us was his explosiveness.”
Williams has done some things to work on his speed, but at the same time, it’s something that he’s lacked going back to college at Notre Dame. The best chance for the Rams to add some explosiveness to this group is to utilize Jarquez Hunter and Blake Corum. Hunter has the speed that both Williams and Corum lack. Meanwhile, Corum adds some shiftiness in the open field. A consistent run game is valuable and helps keep the offense on track. At the same time, there is less pressure on the quarterback and passing game when a running back can break off a big play.
Will McVay incorporate committee approach?
Last season, Williams led all running backs in the NFL in snap percentage at 86.4 percent. This was also the case for Williams in 2023 as he took 83.3 percent of the team’s rushing attempts at running back.
Over the past two drafts, the Rams have spent relatively high capital on Corum and Hunter. Corum was a third round pick while Hunter was drafted in the fourth round. It’s true that Williams is heading into a contract year. Still, the Rams need to find a way to get all three players involved.
It’s worth wondering whether or not a lighter workload will help Williams and if keeping him fresh could lead to bigger plays. A committee approach could help the run game as a whole as well. Having multiple players involved with a different skillset forces the defense to prepare differently.
The big question here is whether or not McVay will incorporate a committee approach. McVay tends to find a running back that he trusts and ride with that player. That has been the case in every season that he has been the head coach of the Rams. The lone exception was the end of 2018 in which McVay alternated between Todd Gurley and CJ Anderson.
This may be the biggest question of the Rams running game heading into 2025. If the Rams are able to get all Williams, Corum, and Hunter involved it could be a three-headed monster.
Position battles to watch for at Running Back
For the most part, Kyren Williams will have the starting role locked up. The real battles at running back will start behind Williams. After being drafted in the fourth round and Corum coming off an injury, can Hunter push for that number two spot? It will all depend on if Hunter improves in pass protection and can be trusted in the offense. All eyes will be on Corum and Hunter in training camp to see who can win that number two spot.
Corum got 58 carries last year and will have a year of development. That may lead to more trust from the coaching staff. Hunter’s time may be coming, but it may not be as soon as some are expecting.
However, while Hunter may be in the competition for the number two role, that won’t be his only competition. At the end of the day, Hunter was just a day three draft pick.T hat doesn’t mean he’ll be cut, but his action as a rookie may be limited. Ronnie Rivers is a player that has been in the offense over several years and gotten snaps. Hunter needs to be able to hold off Rivers if he’s going to compete with Corum.
