With fantasy gamers trying to find the next upside running back, drafters have pushed Rams rookie running back Jarquez Hunter up draft boards.
An evergreen trait of good fantasy gamers is to be on the lookout for the next upside running back who could be a starter in the event of an injury. Depth chart study and coach speak provide small wrinkles that can end up helping fantasy gamers find the next league winner.
The Rams have been a great source of fantasy goodness with the likes of Toddy Gurley, Darrell Henderson Jr., and Kyren Williams. The Rams selected Auburn running back Jarquez Hunter in the 4th round of the 2025 NFL Draft. In the last week, Hunter is up 4.9 spots on Underdog creeping into the early part of the 17th round.
While Kyren Williams is surely the safe bellcow in the Rams offense, it is advantageous to draft Jarquez Hunter as a high upside back who could be both a league winner and fill out a needed running back spot in redraft leagues. For such a cheap price and the rich history that the Rams have with running backs, it is wise to select Hunter with a late round pick going forward.
Author: Jeremiah Retzlaff (@coachretzlaff1)
Los Angeles Rams running back Blake Corum was a popular ...
Los Angeles Rams running back Blake Corum (forearm) has ...
The Los Angeles Rams placed rookie running back Blake Corum...
LA Rams GM Les Snead spoke about how having a committee “helps” the team run the ball how they want.
In an interview post-draft with Rich Eisen, Rams GM Les Snead said:
We do think the way this NFL season’s going — the amount of wear and tear that goes into playing running back — that having a committee, and a committee with different skill sets, only helps us continue being able to run the football like we want to run it.
Taking a committee approach would be a departure from how head coach Sean McVey has historically approached the position. Whether it was Todd Gurley, Darrell Henderson, or Kyren Williams, the Rams have normally given at least 60% of rushes to the lead running back.
Speculation of a committee in the Rams backfield has heated up over the last year given the drafting of third round pick Blake Coram in 2024 and the drafting of Jarquez Hunter in 2025. The Rams have engaged in contract extension talks with Williams, however, those have not yet come to fruition.
Author: Bradley Stalder (@FFStalder)
The Los Angeles Rams lose rookie running back Blake Corum for the entire postseason after he breaks his forearm in Week 18 of the 2024 season.
Rookie running back Blake Corum for the Los Angeles Rams will sit out the team’s playoff run after he broke his forearm. This hurts the depth at running back for the Rams as they make a run at the Super Bowl. Starting back Kyren Williams has been real reliable appearing in 16 games this season, only sitting out the last game of the year as the Rams had the division and a playoff spot locked up. Corum finished the season with 207 rushing yards on 58 carries along with 7 catches for 58 receiving yards and 0 overall touchdowns. Corum should be healthy going into next season.
Corum was a disappointing fantasy pick this season, luckily there is always next season. Kyren Williams staying healthy all season with his workload was lucky. Corum should have more opportunities next season with another offseason in this offense and he looks to be the top back should Williams goes down with injuries.
@J_Baldwin51
Head Coach Sean McVay says punt returning will allow Kyren Williams another way to get touches, while the presence of Blake Corum and Ronnie Rivers led to the decision.
This isn’t a joke. The running back going as the RB8 ahead of Derrick Henry on Underdog will be the primary punt returner for the L.A. Rams- woof! Alarm bells regarding Williams’ 2024 fantasy production were raised when the Rams prioritized drafting Blake Corum in the 3rd round of the 2024 draft, and this latest report adds further risk that Williams won’t see a bellcow role in 2024 to justify his hefty price tag.
Blake Corum continues to be one of the most intriguing targets in 2024 fantasy drafts. Corum already posed huge potential contingent upside if Williams were injured, and returning punts will add to the likelihood Williams misses time during the 2024 season. This report also signals that McVay plans to have Corum involved in the offense even if Williams remains healthy. As it currently stands, fantasy managers should fade Williams and capitalize on the value of Blake Corum.
The rookie running back Blake Corum continues to impress Sean McVay during minicamp.
Off-season mandatory mini camps are underway, and one rookie continues to stand out, Blake Corum. Corum is continuing to learn the offense and showing great maturity while taking advantage of the extra reps while teammate Kyren Williams is rehabbing his injury. Sean McVay has this to say about Corum, “On the offensive side, I have been pleased with a lot of guys, but Blake Corum has really stood out. (He is) Mature beyond his years. I love the way that he handles himself. I love even more how when there have been a couple of things that did not go the way we wanted, how he responded the next play. The mental toughness that you see from him. (RB Coach) Ron Gould is excellent with that room. Even (RB) Kyren (Williams) in his own way has done such a great job of imparting a certain amount of wisdom with him.”
A lot of folks were uncertain about Corum landing in LA as a fantasy football prospect. With the high praise and ethic he has put in, Corum has a chance to cement himself into the offense. Allowing him to have some redraft consideration as well as a strong dynasty running back for those looking for a steal or in their rookie drafts.
Los Angeles Rams lead running back Kyren Williams will be out until training camp with a foot injury, which has forced rookie Blake Corum into additional responsibilities during OTAs.
Corum’s fantasy stock will undoubtedly be on the rise with the news of Sean McVay asking him to further develop his game in terms of receiving and pass protection. Corum scored 27 rushing touchdowns last year at Michigan, so many experts expected him to potentially have a goal line role for the Rams following the 2024 NFL Draft. His fantastic collegiate production, 3rd round draft capital, along with these reports coming from OTAs officially vault Corum into “elite-handcuff” status, at a minimum.
The Rams have a tremendous offensive scheme that propelled Kyren Williams to be a top-7 ppr running back in 2023, which is especially extraordinary considering he only played in 12 games. Williams has a lack of size and elite athleticism that leave him more susceptible to injuries than your typical bell-cow, making his offseason best ball ADP of 22 seemingly high. Fantasy Managers can expect Williams to drop a bit in ADP while Corum rises.
Corum is an intriguing option in all formats and possesses high-end upside if Williams misses any time in the 2024 regular season.
