Based on the way both Kyren Williams and Blake Corum are talking, the Los Angeles Rams’ running back room could be much more impactful in the passing game this season. Williams had some moments where he made big plays as a receiver in 2023, but he’s hoping to take the next step and showcase his pass-catching skills a bit more.
Corum has said he expects the Rams to use him more as a receiver than Jim Harbaugh did at Michigan, too, With how pass-happy Sean McVay can get at times, the development of both Williams and Corum as receivers will only help the Rams on offense.
Williams said on the Rich Eisen Show this week that given Corum’s ability to run the ball, he hopes it allows him to get more opportunities to catch it out of the backfield and even in the slot.
“So for me, it’s just living by that, just picking off what I did last year, being able to create more explosives in the run game, and also being able to create more explosives in the pass game,” Williams said. “I’m super excited that we went to go draft Blake Corum, somebody who can run the ball very well and hopefully it allows me to get to the slot or allows me to just run routes out of the backfield so that I’m able to really showcase my skills that I have for this game.”
What's it like talking football with Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford? And how does the #RamsHouse running back improve on his breakout 2023 season?#NFL @RamsNFL pic.twitter.com/PAfMPKRRXU
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) June 25, 2024
Williams was targeted 48 times last season but only came down with 32 receptions, a relatively low rate for a running back. He dropped five passes, including one that turned into an interception, so he’s hoping to improve as a receiver in his second season as the Rams’ starting running back.
It’s good to hear how excited he is about the addition of Corum, who’s a similar back and someone who can step in if Williams needs a break or gets banged up at all throughout the season. The Rams are set up to be a ground-and-pound offense in 2024 with those two running backs leading the way.