Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams was a breakout star for the team last season, which left many wondering why the Rams selected University of Michigan halfback Blake Corum in the third round of the NFL Draft late last month.
However, it appears that Los Angeles isn’t trying to diminish Williams’ role; the club is actually attempting to do him a favor.
Rams general manager Les Snead recently spoke about the addition of Corum, stating that LA picked him up to keep Williams fresh in 2024.
“It’s a tough league; it’s a 17-game season plus playoffs, might go to 18 games one day,” Snead told Erica Tamposi of the Rams’ official team website. “So we always felt like we needed to have as many quality runners as possible so we don’t just totally run down Kyren, and we have one or two, or even three guys that can contribute, keep everyone fresh, and let’s go and try to impose our will.”
Williams missed four games in the middle of 2023 due to an ankle injury and then sat in the season finale. In the 12 contests he did play, he racked up 1,144 yards and 12 touchdowns while averaging five yards per carry. He also caught 32 passes for 206 yards and three scores en route to a Pro Bowl appearance.
Snead even likened Corum to Williams in terms of style.
“A lot of people have said he’s similar (to Williams),” Snead said of Corum. “They have a very similar play style. They both really, really care about football. That’s very important on that side of the ball. That’s a sophisticated side of the ball. We’re a relatively advanced, veteran offense, so you definitely are going to need to bring a care factor to be able to get up to speed and be able to function and fit right in and keep the thing humming.”
If Corum is anything like Williams, the Rams will certainly have a dynamic duo in their backfield next season.
The 23-year-old rushed for 1,245 yards and a hefty 27 touchdowns during his final year at Michigan. He also rattled off 1,463 yards and 18 scores in 2022.
Meanwhile, Williams was a fifth-round pick out of Notre Dame in 2022. He barely had a role during his rookie campaign, carrying the ball 35 times for 139 yards.
We’ll see what Kyren Williams and Corum can do as a tandem in 2024.
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