Kyren Williams has been a fine running back for the Los Angeles Rams this season. He’s rushed for 142 yards, caught eight passes for 77 yards and has scored four total touchdowns in three games.
What he hasn’t been is explosive. The 5-foot-9 running back hasn’t created many big plays for the Rams this year and he’s averaging just 3.6 yards per carry. His opportunities were limited on Monday night against the Bengals, getting just 10 carries, but even when he has taken handoffs, he hasn’t been ripping off big chunks of yardage.
Of his 39 carries this season, not a single one has gone for more than 9 yards. He’s the only player in the NFL with at least 16 carries and no runs of at least 10 yards. He does have seven carries of 7-plus yards, but he also has 16 carries that went for 2 yards or less.
According to Warren Sharp, the Rams have the third-highest rate of runs that have gained 0 or fewer yards. Only the Steelers and Cardinals have higher rates of such plays this season.
% of RB runs to gain 0 or fewer yds
29% – PIT, ARI
28% – LAR
27% – NYJ
26% – LV
25% – HOU
24%
23% – DET
22% – TB
21% – BAL, CLE, SEA
20% – KC
19% – GB, NE
18% – NO
17% – IND, MIN, NYG, CAR, ATL
16% – LAC, DAL, MIA, CHI
15% – DEN
14% – TEN, CIN
13% – JAX
12%
11% – WAS
10% – SF
9%…— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) September 26, 2023
What’s especially concerning about Williams’ lack of big plays is the fact that teams aren’t exactly gearing up to stop him. According to Next Gen Stats, Williams hasn’t faced a single box with at least eight defenders in it this season. He’s one of two running backs that can say that this year, with Miles Sanders being the other.
With seven or fewer defenders in the box every time Williams runs the ball, one would think he’d be able to break off a big gain at least once or twice.
Next Gen Stats also says his rushing yards over expected per attempt is -0.46, which is the 14th-worst of any running back in the league. It’s not a terrible number, but it’s also not a very encouraging one.
Williams has never been a truly explosive player even dating back to his Notre Dame days. He ran a 4.65 in the 40-yard dash at the 2022 NFL combine, so his breakaway speed is below-average for a running back. You don’t need 4.3 speed to break off 20-yard runs but it helps to have some added burst through the line.
At some point, the Rams might consider giving someone else carries. The problem is, they don’t have a great backup option, which is why Williams has played 131 of a possible 135 snaps the last two weeks. Zach Evans is one possibility, and Les Snead said he likes what he’s seen from Ronnie Rivers this year, so the Rams could give one of those two a look at some point, even if it’s just for a little bit of a change of pace.
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