Kyren Williams, "System RBs," and the Other Two Guys

Kyren Williams, "System RBs," and the Other Two Guys Kyren Williams has been extremely productive in the past two years, averaging over 1,200 rushing yards, 1,400 yards from scrimmage, and 15 TDs per year. This, despite some deficiencies we all can see. Yes, he's quick and has good vision... but he's average, at best, in acceleration and top end speed. Yes, he's tough... but he's not exactly Steven Jackson when it comes to power. Yes, he adds value as a blocker... but his fumbling rate decreases his value. So, could his productivity be the result of the Rams' system? Is he, to borrow a term from QB analysis, a "system RB"? Behind him are two intriguing players Blake Corum was an incredibly productive RB in college, playing at the highest level, and is (8 lbs) bigger and faster (4.53 to 4.65) than Williams. Jarquez Hunter is faster than both of them (4.44). Sean McVay has arguably overused Williams, particularly last year. This seems to be, to an extent, a trust issue (mainly trust to pick up the blitz). I understand that concern, but I have wonder if Corum or Hunter, given the chance, might equal or even improve upon Williams' success, while providing more of a "home run" threat and fewer ball security issues. Not to mention that Williams in on the last year of his contract. Again... I'm a Williams fan. But do the Rams have a better option already on the roster?https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1173294,1173294#msg-1173294Thu, 16 Apr 2026 00:45:22 -0400 Phorum 5.2.18 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1173294,1173670#msg-1173670 Re: My guess is Kyren has a monster yearhttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1173294,1173670#msg-1173670 BerendsenRam RamsFootballFans.comMon, 07 Jul 2025 14:18:44 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1173294,1173643#msg-1173643 My guess is Kyren has a monster yearhttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1173294,1173643#msg-1173643
I saw a picture of Corum and he looks jacked

This Rams RB room is coming on]]> Speed_Kills RamsFootballFans.comMon, 07 Jul 2025 10:40:55 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1173294,1173570#msg-1173570 Re: The way I expect this thing to go down...https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1173294,1173570#msg-1173570
On another point, if we don't see him in the pre-season it will probably mean that we are going to see him even sooner in the regular season. It will be a telling point to see who get the carries in the pre-season.]]> Singapore Ram RamsFootballFans.comSat, 05 Jul 2025 23:38:26 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1173294,1173566#msg-1173566 Re: The way I expect this thing to go down...https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1173294,1173566#msg-1173566

Quote
merlin
Williams will win the job again in camp.

Williams will struggle to hold onto the rock because his problem is he cannot secure it when fighting for extra yards, and his ability to fight for yards is his strength.

Rams will turn to Corum and Hunter by midseason.

Corum will do well but won't be able to bust big gainers.

Hunter will take the job thereafter, probably late Nov or early Dec. RB is one of the positions that translates quickest to the NFL, the run reads are easy and instinctive so they just have to grasp the protections and be willing to make that sacrifice.

I can definitely see your scenario. I'm excited to see Hunter in preseason.]]> six2stack RamsFootballFans.comSat, 05 Jul 2025 21:21:49 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1173294,1173557#msg-1173557 The way I expect this thing to go down...https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1173294,1173557#msg-1173557
Williams will struggle to hold onto the rock because his problem is he cannot secure it when fighting for extra yards, and his ability to fight for yards is his strength.

Rams will turn to Corum and Hunter by midseason.

Corum will do well but won't be able to bust big gainers.

Hunter will take the job thereafter, probably late Nov or early Dec. RB is one of the positions that translates quickest to the NFL, the run reads are easy and instinctive so they just have to grasp the protections and be willing to make that sacrifice.]]> merlin RamsFootballFans.comSat, 05 Jul 2025 15:55:49 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1173294,1173526#msg-1173526 Re: Kyren Williams, "System RBs," and the Other Two Guyshttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1173294,1173526#msg-1173526 Shecky RamsFootballFans.comSat, 05 Jul 2025 08:57:08 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1173294,1173472#msg-1173472 Re: Kyren Williams, "System RBs," and the Other Two Guyshttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1173294,1173472#msg-1173472
Somebody pointed out Corum got more carries (58) as a rookie than Williams (35). But if you look at the GP, Corum (17) had 3.4 carries per game. Williams (10) had 3.5. So the trust factor seems to have remained the same. Rookie RBs scare the hell out of head coaches. There are exceptions like Gurley, Gibbs, Bijan....and anybody else taken in the first round.

I think the better option is use all 3 (Williams, Corum and Hunter). Williams doesn't have the burst or tackle breaking ability of a Saquon Barkley or Derrick Henry or even Jonathan Taylor or Josh Jacobs. He also doesn't have the size and weight of those guys either but he outperformed all of them in short yardage and red zone running.

Inside the 5, KW converted 19 attempts into 12 TDs. Henry 9 of 18. Barkley 4 of 13.
On 3rd or 4th and 1 to 3 yards, KW converted first downs on 26 of them (31 attempts). That's like 85%. None of those other guys were close.

Should he be extended? Don't know. I wouldn't extend him for longer than 2 years. Even if I did, I would make sure letting him go in year 2 (or 3) of the extension wasn't crushing. The NFL personnel men seem to be leaning towards run them hard, put them away wet and don't extend them. It's not a position that gives hope to a long career. The alternative is a first round or high second round RB. Those thoroughbreds.]]> PARAM RamsFootballFans.comFri, 04 Jul 2025 15:24:21 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1173294,1173395#msg-1173395 Re: Kyren Williams, "System RBs," and the Other Two Guyshttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1173294,1173395#msg-1173395 Singapore Ram RamsFootballFans.comWed, 02 Jul 2025 21:56:54 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1173294,1173390#msg-1173390 Re: Kyren Williams, "System RBs," and the Other Two Guyshttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1173294,1173390#msg-1173390 GlacieRam RamsFootballFans.comWed, 02 Jul 2025 20:03:13 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1173294,1173349#msg-1173349 Re: Kyren Williams, "System RBs," and the Other Two Guyshttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1173294,1173349#msg-1173349

Quote
Singapore Ram
Really good question, and to me the answer is "yes." I don't think it's Corum though, I think it's Hunter. In my opinion Hunter is under rated because he played on an Auburn team that was going nowhere. Consequently he didn't get any national news attention. But, if you look at his tape, it's pretty good I think.

So, I'll say that if Hunter can figure out pass pro he'll be on the field quicker than we all think. We shall see.

I'm very high on Hunter and I think the Rams are too. I believe he was drafted to be the future no. 1 RB.]]> six2stack RamsFootballFans.comWed, 02 Jul 2025 09:21:13 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1173294,1173320#msg-1173320 Re: Kyren Williams, "System RBs," and the Other Two Guyshttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1173294,1173320#msg-1173320
So, I'll say that if Hunter can figure out pass pro he'll be on the field quicker than we all think. We shall see.]]> Singapore Ram RamsFootballFans.comTue, 01 Jul 2025 20:35:29 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1173294,1173309#msg-1173309 Re: Kyren Williams, "System RBs," and the Other Two Guyshttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1173294,1173309#msg-1173309
YES, there is a better option. The better option is not give WIliams 95% of the carries this year.

Let Corum and Hunter share the load (one, or both) and see if either emerges.

The three most disturbing facts about Williams are:
1. Williams yards per rush beyond what was expected given his blocking was ZERO. Very low among starting RB's.
2. Lack of runs over 10, 15, 20 yards.
3. Incessant fumbling problem; which often manifests itself at the worst possible moment. I think the fumbling may be connected to his ultra-heavy workload. (McVay is a one back coach. He did the same thing with Gurley. He needs to play a few backs like most teams do)]]> nantucketramfan RamsFootballFans.comTue, 01 Jul 2025 17:57:12 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1173294,1173308#msg-1173308 Re: Kyren Williams, "System RBs," and the Other Two Guyshttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1173294,1173308#msg-1173308

Quote
AlbaNY_Ram
Flashback to July, 2023: did the Rams have a better option on the roster than Cam Akers?

Akers was listed as RB1 on the preseason depth charts coming off a strong 2022 campaign where he had 786 yards rushing. Williams was a rookie in '22, gaining 139 yards on 35 carries.

(Side bar: Corum had 207 yards on 58 carries as a rookie.)

As I sit today I can say yes, the Rams did in fact have a better RB than Akers on the roster in 2023. But I seriously doubt that I would have said so two years ago.

Point being: With so little data to go on I personally don't know if Corum or Hunter are better than Williams, or even comparable to him.

But I bet that members of the Rams' inner circle know, or at least have an opinion.

And from where I sit I suspect that the Williams contract extension is puttering along because the Rams think Corum or Hunter can be the next big deal at RB for the Rams. Or they at least want to see how things play out in camp and preseason before committing to Williams (which means that the Rams might have a viable option at RB ).

]]> Shecky RamsFootballFans.comTue, 01 Jul 2025 16:28:08 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1173294,1173302#msg-1173302 Re: Kyren Williams, "System RBs," and the Other Two Guyshttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1173294,1173302#msg-1173302
Akers was listed as RB1 on the preseason depth charts coming off a strong 2022 campaign where he had 786 yards rushing. Williams was a rookie in '22, gaining 139 yards on 35 carries.

(Side bar: Corum had 207 yards on 58 carries as a rookie.)

As I sit today I can say yes, the Rams did in fact have a better RB than Akers on the roster in 2023. But I seriously doubt that I would have said so two years ago.

Point being: With so little data to go on I personally don't know if Corum or Hunter are better than Williams, or even comparable to him.

But I bet that members of the Rams' inner circle know, or at least have an opinion.

And from where I sit I suspect that the Williams contract extension is puttering along because the Rams think Corum or Hunter can be the next big deal at RB for the Rams. Or they at least want to see how things play out in camp and preseason before committing to Williams (which means that the Rams might have a viable option at RB ).]]> AlbaNY_Ram RamsFootballFans.comTue, 01 Jul 2025 15:40:23 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1173294,1173300#msg-1173300 Re: Kyren Williams, "System RBs," and the Other Two Guyshttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1173294,1173300#msg-1173300 droopy RamsFootballFans.comTue, 01 Jul 2025 14:26:19 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1173294,1173294#msg-1173294 Kyren Williams, "System RBs," and the Other Two Guyshttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1173294,1173294#msg-1173294
This, despite some deficiencies we all can see.

Yes, he's quick and has good vision... but he's average, at best, in acceleration and top end speed.

Yes, he's tough... but he's not exactly Steven Jackson when it comes to power.

Yes, he adds value as a blocker... but his fumbling rate decreases his value.

So, could his productivity be the result of the Rams' system? Is he, to borrow a term from QB analysis, a "system RB"?

Behind him are two intriguing players

Blake Corum was an incredibly productive RB in college, playing at the highest level, and is (8 lbs) bigger and faster (4.53 to 4.65) than Williams. Jarquez Hunter is faster than both of them (4.44).

Sean McVay has arguably overused Williams, particularly last year. This seems to be, to an extent, a trust issue (mainly trust to pick up the blitz). I understand that concern, but I have wonder if Corum or Hunter, given the chance, might equal or even improve upon Williams' success, while providing more of a "home run" threat and fewer ball security issues.

Not to mention that Williams in on the last year of his contract.

Again... I'm a Williams fan.

But do the Rams have a better option already on the roster?]]> AvengerRam RamsFootballFans.comTue, 01 Jul 2025 13:22:47 -0400