We received an answer to one of the Los Angeles Rams’ looming questions from this offseason, as they elected to extend RB Kyren Williams to a three-year, $33M contract. Renewing their commitment to Williams long-term is a break from historical norms. Williams became the first Rams running back since Todd Gurley to receive a long-term deal from the team.
Even with Williams now under contract for multiple more seasons, it’s possible that we see the veteran on the field less often in 2025. The Rams have invested significant draft capital—third and fifth round picks, respectively—into his current understudies in Blake Corum and Jarquez Hunter. Williams himself is no stranger to injury; therefore, it could be in the best interest of the team to (1) spell their starter and keep him fresh into the postseason and (2) develop a multi-faceted ground attack that deploys differing skillsets.
Is there still a role for another back?
By most accounts, Hunter has impressed in his first NFL training camp. The rookie has shown a burst and speed element that has been lacking from the Rams’ backfield since Gurley’s knee rapidly deteriorated. Hunter also figures to assist in the passing game and brings the ability to turn checkdowns into longer gains.
There is room for a complimentary skillset even if Williams is the lead back and garners most of the carries. Hunter is talented in ways that Williams simply isn’t, even if the veteran has grown into a top 10 player at the position. It’s important that perfectly blocked runs result in long gains and occasionally touchdowns. That is something that Williams has not been able to capitalize on in recent years, though we may see Hunter pay dividends in this department as soon as this season.
As a tease, it’s interesting to note that Liam Coen—a branch off Sean McVay’s coaching tree—used multiple back sets last year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. McVay has been known to “borrow” from coaches in adjacent systems before, and this could be the latest twist in LA’s ever-evolving running game.
I liked Corum coming out of Michigan, although more as a player who could be a solid starter on a team without an entrenched veteran. He’s shifty, capable as a receiver, and has a nose for the end zone (similar to Williams). Corum won’t wow you with his physical traits or break a ton of tackles, but you could certainly do worse at the position.
The Rams thinking that they needed a back similar to Williams following his breakout season and after watching him sit out of the playoffs injured in 2023 makes some sense. Still, when Williams is healthy he makes Corum expendable. A third round pick is a hefty price to pay for such a skillset. There’s no path to significant playing time for Corum if Williams is healthy, especially after the contract extension. That’s an unfortunate outcome for a second-year player.
I think Corum is Williams’ immediate backup. He will probably step in as the immediate starter in the veteran’s absence and then split time with Hunter. However, in peace time, Hunter could see the field more often as a compliment to Williams and ultimately be seen as LA’s apparent RB#2.
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