Rams rookie RB Blake Corum didn't get the memo that he is a backup RB

Rams value what Blake Corum brings to this team

In the aftermath of the Rams 2023 NFL season, I don't think that the team could have asked for more from featured RB Kyren Williams. After all, he was expected to share the load with teammate RB Cam Akers, but that blew up pretty quickly in 2023, leaving Williams to shoulder the load for much of the season. And he did, putting up 1,144 yards on 228 carries, and scoring 12 touchdowns on the ground.

But he suited up for just 12 games in 2023. That could be a problem. After all, out of a possible 34 games in two NFL seasons, Williams played in just 22 games. That is just under two-thirds of the Rams' contests so far and is a bit of a concern considering Williams is only now entering his third NFL season. So durability of the featured running back has to be worrisome for the team for the upcoming season.

But while the team was open to adding more talent at the running back position, the team certainly made the best of the opportunity. Unlike the 2023 NFL Draft when the team opted to take a flyer on rapidly dropping RB Zach Evans in Round 6 with the 217th overall pick, the team invested their valuable 83rd overall pick in Round 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft to add Michigan RB Blake Corum.

Now the question is, will his addition to this team be worth the investment?

One of the challenges for rookie offensive weapons earning their lofty selection from the latest NFL Draft is the limited roles that those players find on the team. Of course, the rookie season for WR Puka Nacua is the exception to the rule. But rookie RB Zach Evans saw next to nothing in terms of offensive snaps in 2023 (9 carries, 13 yards). In his rookie season, WR Tutu Atwell was not targeted once, despite being selected in Round 2 with the 52nd overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft .