Rams fans are going to love rookie running back Blake Corum

The LA Rams were not exactly an obvious team shopping for running back talent this offseason. After the Rams found a strong feature back in Kyren Williams, all that remained to add seemed to be depth at the position, and perhaps in the form of a bigger-bodied runner who could punish defenders and soften them up for the passing attack as the game wore on.

Well, for the 2024 NFL season, I suppose it all depends on how you define 'bigger bodied,' runner, doesn't it?

Some might say that you don't know what you have until you lose it. But I assert that the opposite is true, you don't know what you are missing until you find it. Until now, the Rams have never had the pleasure of a running back like Blake Corum on the roster. Well, not since prime-time RB Darrell Henderson Jr. played for the team. After all, Henderson stands 5-foot-8 and weighs 208 pounds.

Henderson played five seasons for the Rams, including his cameo appearance in 2023 after Kyren Williams was injured. His best seasons for the team happened in 2020 and 2021, the two seasons when he was at his peak of health (but admittedly still hampered by minor mishaps). In those two years, Henderson averaged over 140 carries, over 620 yards, and five touchdowns per season. He also averaged over 20 receptions, over 160 receiving yards, and two receiving touchdowns.

Blake Corum can do better.

The thing about Darrell Henderson was a lack of durability. Henderson could tack on the yards as long as he could evade tackles. But once he got banged around like a pin ball by bumpers, the ease of his running grew stiffer, more labored.

So far, I don't see the same outcome for Blake Corum.

Of course, if Corum is bent into a pretzel early in his NFL career, that all could change. But his forte is not eluding defenders but by running through them. It won't be as easy to do in the NFL, no. But he has never been one to aim at the pile and take his chances.

Corum has enough scatback in him to make guys miss, but enough north-south running back in him to turn north and rush through arm tackles. It's that hybrid nature, the best of both worlds, that makes him so dangerous in this offense.

Blake Corum won't be alone. He will be sharing the load with RB Kyren Williams. By platooning for this team, the Rams aim at keeping both runners fresh and ready for possible for a playoff push and run. And that comes directly from Rams GM Les Snead:

And the team found him waiting in Round 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft with the 83rd overall pick.

The team has done more than just get a sidekick for Williams. Blake Corum is a polished rookie running back in his own right. Not only is he swift, agile, and powerful. He is fearless too. Rams fans love quality runners. That's why RB Blake Corum will be a fan favorite in 2024.

And as always, thanks for reading.