Since the start of the 2021 NFL season, there have only been seven running backs to average at least 21 PPR (point-per-reception) points per game across a single season. Only one of those players has not returned the next season with an ADP (average draft position) inside the top 12 at his position. That player is Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams.
Williams is entering his third year in the NFL and is one of the biggest boom-or-bust options in 2024 fantasy football drafts. The Los Angeles Rams drafted former Michigan running back Blake Corum in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Corum could be an immediate competitor to Williams, who only played 12 games last year.
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2023 In Review - Kyren Williams
After former Rams running back Cam Akers was traded to the Minnesota Vikings just before Week 3 of the 2023 season, Kyren Williams became the unquestioned first option in the Rams’ backfield. He took full advantage of this in his sophomore season and put up some insane statistics, including 1144 rushing yards, 206 receiving yards, and 15 total touchdowns, while rewarding fantasy managers who decided to take a chance on him in fantasy football.
On the surface, there are some pretty shocking statistics to observe from the 23-year-old’s 2023 fantasy football season. Williams was only active for twelve games in 2023 but finished as a top-12 scoring fantasy running back nine times, registered a snap percentage of over 80% seven times, surpassed 100 rushing yards in a single game six times, scored multiple touchdowns in a single game five times, handled 20+ carries in a single game seven times, scored under 10 PPR fantasy points in a game only twice, and finished with over five yards per carry on the season.
Kyren Williams finished as the RB2 in fantasy points per game in 2023, behind only Christian McCaffrey. An absolutely ridiculous season from a player who was coming off of a rookie season in which he only recorded 139 rushing yards on 35 carries with zero touchdowns.
However, the good was accompanied by the bad in Williams’ case. As we all know, availability is vitally important in fantasy football. However, two years into his professional career, Williams has only played 22 out of a possible 34 regular season games. Foot issues have been a serious issue for the Rams’ leading rusher since he entered the league.
In 2022, Williams suffered a foot fracture during the offseason and a high ankle sprain early in the regular season. In 2023, he missed time with one particular injury, another high ankle sprain that knocked him out from Weeks 7 through 11. Williams also suffered a hand fracture in the Los Angeles Rams’ Wild Card Round loss to the Detroit Lions back in January.
What’s Next? A Path for Blake Corum
Obviously, injury has been an issue over the last few years for Kyren Williams, so a natural conclusion is that Corum was drafted to take some of the load off of the Rams’ incumbent starter. Last season, the Rams were left without a high-quality backup for their new starting running back as a result of the Cam Akers trade. This led to 45 carries inside the 10-yard line for Williams. The path to an early role in the backfield could be open for third-round rookie Blake Corum.
Don’t be shocked if Corum earns his keep through red zone and goal-line touches this season. The Michigan product is a stocky, powerful runner who runs through contact well. Many of his runs at Michigan were between the tackles in concepts that were more focused on power - something that gives him a good opportunity to see the field in short-yardage situations. He’s not the most shifty or explosive player, but he is a strong runner who can get the job done when his number is called.
Corum has a lot of upside for fantasy football this year due to his impressive college production and his landing spot in the Rams’ backfield. To put the cherry on top, Corum scored 27 touchdowns for Michigan in 2023. He has a nose for the end zone and could find himself in a complementary role early on in Los Angeles. Fantasy managers shouldn’t be surprised if Corum takes potential touchdown opportunities away from Kyren Williams in 2023.
With an ADP of around 121 (RB36) on Underdog Fantasy, Blake Corum is a value in fantasy drafts as he waits for his chance behind an often injured Kyren Williams. His fantasy prospects are certainly more inspiring than the likes of Javonte Williams, Chase Brown, and Zach Charbonnet, all of whom are going at a similar draft price. Corum is also one of the most clearly defined and valuable handcuff players in fantasy football, if Williams goes down, he will be the clear starter.
But Wait, There’s More!
Even though Corum presents good value, the importance and efficiency of Williams cannot be forgotten. In 2023, Kyren Williams, against NFL competition, averaged more yards per carry than Blake Corum, who was still playing college football. This is a bit of a shocking statistic, one that highlights the difference between these players. Williams handled a lot of carries both inside and outside the tackles in 2023 and showed solid talent in the passing game on screens and check downs.
Last season, Williams had more receptions in 2023 (32) than Corum has had over his last two seasons combined (27). To be fair, these are two different offenses and two different levels of competition, but Williams’ explosiveness makes it obvious that he is the more capable receiving back between the two. It shouldn’t be a surprise when Rams head coach Sean McVay chooses to deploy the more dynamic and versatile Williams on most of Los Angeles’ offensive snaps.
Overall, it’s fair to say that Williams is the more valuable running back to the Rams. He is more versatile and explosive than Corum and has two years of NFL experience, a fact that carries more weight when you realize that these two running backs are the same age. Talented players on rookie contracts are very valuable in the NFL, and Williams fits that description easily. Even though Corum adds something that the Rams offense has been missing, he doesn’t figure to be an immediate threat to take over Williams’ role in Los Angeles.
Currently, Kyren Williams’ ADP sits around 29 (RB8) on Underdog Fantasy. This is a fair price for a high-risk and high-reward player like Williams. The durability concerns are merited, but those worries can be lessened by a dive into his 2023 stats, which we’ve already covered.
Conclusion
From a fantasy football perspective, both present potentially great value. However, fantasy managers should be more willing to take Corum at his price than Williams. With an ADP of RB8, injury concerns and safer options later in fantasy drafts hurt Kyren Williams’ fantasy value. While his ceiling is sky-high, his lack of durability over the last two seasons makes Williams’ floor frighteningly low. Fantasy managers shouldn’t be too terrified of Williams’ draft price to take a chance on him.
He’s proved that he’s certainly worth the risk, but it’s worth selecting Corum later in drafts regardless of whether they’ve already taken Kyren Williams in the second/third round or not. Overall, both Williams and Corum are worth drafting at their current price, but Corum is more worth paying up for. The Rams have created a great backfield in Los Angeles, but these players may end up butting heads for touches.
Kyren Williams - Properly Rated
Blake Corum - Underrated
