NFL
By:George Lopez
Entering the 2023 season, Cam Akers was the presumptive starting running back for the Los Angeles Rams. As the season progress, Akers was traded, and the Rams turned to Kyren Williams as their primary back. Williams gave Coach Sean McVay a solid running game to compliment the Rams passing offense late in the season. The rushing attack will be a key component in the Rams offensive attack in the 2024 season.
Kyren Williams enters the season as the starting running back. In 2023, Williams rushed for 1144 yards with 12 touchdowns, while averaging a league leading 95 yards on 22 touches per game. Due to injuries, Williams was limited to 12 games. The goal this season is to have Williams available for all 17 games. The Rams addressed the need for a backup running back in the draft selecting Blake Corum out of the University of Michigan in the 3rd round.
In his last two seasons at Michigan, Corum rushed for a combined 2,708 yards with 45 touchdowns. With his physical style of running, there was concern Corum would not stand up to physical toll an NFL running back faces. The Rams did not draft Corum to be their primary running back. The Rams will use Corum to spell Williams throughout the game. With his stature (5’8”, 200lbs) and his running style, look for the Rams to use Corum as their short yardage back as well as in goal line situations. With the way the Rams are expected to use him, Corum has the potential of being a steal from the 2024 draft.
Third year running back Ronnie Rivers enters training camp as the number three back on the depth chart. Last season, Rivers saw limited action, rushing for 129 yards on 32 carries. With more emphasis on the running game expected this season, look for Rivers to see more playing time in the backfield.
Boston Scott was signed as a free agent after spending 6 years with the Philadelphia Eagles. Scott saw limited playing time in the backfield last season, rushing for 86 yards on 20 carries. Scott will bring a veteran experience to the Rams running back room. Scott should see playing time in the backfield for the Rams. Expect his playing time to be similar to last season. Look for Scott to see more time on special teams as he has been in the mix for punt returns and kick returns during OTA’s
The Rams do have a decision to make with running back Zach Evans. Drafted in the 6th round of the 2023 draft, Evans was expected to see a good amount of playing time in his rookie season. Evans appeared in only 10 games, amassing 19 yards on 9 carries. With the signing of Boston Scott, Evans may be the odd man out in the Rams running back rotation. Look for Evans to see most of playing time on special teams.
The Los Angeles Rams enter 2024 with high expectations for the season. The emergence of Kyren Williams at running back last season gave Coach McVay a strong running game to compliment his vaunted passing attack. Through the draft and free agency, the Rams added depth to the running back room that will give McVay multiple options to attack opposing defenses. Rams’ fans should be extremely excited with what the running game will bring to the Rams offense this season.
