Rams desperately need breakout players at 4 key positions in 2025

(4) - Running back

While I may ruffle some feathers by asserting that the Rams need more out of the running back position, keep in mind that this is about the entire offense, and not one player. But even if it were, the truth is that the Rams are simply not keeping pace with other NFL teams by insisting on feeding RB Kyren Williams a steady diet of carries.

The problem is not how many rushing yards that Kyren Williams can put up. Williams rans for 1,144 yards and 12 TDs on 228 carries in 2023. He ran for 1,299 yards and 14 TDs on 319 carries in 2024. But he is getting too much of the Rams overall workload. For example, how many 20+-yard runs did the Rams put up in 2024? The Rams can it deal last.

It's tough to break out for huge runs when you are not exceptionally fast and are fatigued from too much work. You see, Kyren Williams carried the football more than 70 percent of the Rams runs in 2024. On top of that, you have the matter of an increasing number of fumbles by Williams. That was more than an inconvenience. It hard-halted several offensive drives, including a key moment in the Divisional Round of the 2025 NFL Playoffs.

I don't mean to lay all of this at Kyren Williams' feet. The Rams play calling is culpable as well. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted Oregon rookie RB Bucky Irving in Round 4 of the 2024 NFL Draft, and he rushed 207 times for 1,122 yards and eight touchdowns in his rookie season. The Rams drafted Michigan rookie RB Blake Corum in Round 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft, and he rushed for 207 yards on 58 carries and 0 touchdowns.

Do you see the problem here?

The Rams can't have it both ways. Either share the workload or go with far fewer players.

Remedy:

While the Rams are entering training camp with six running backs, the optimal solution is to build a plan around three runners in 2025. Based on the investment of vital draft picks, the Rams are most likely to go with Kyren Williams, Blake Corum, and Jarquez Hunter. But admittedly, the players are not crucial.

You see, the goal in 2025 is to have three rested and productive running backs at the ready for each game. That means limiting the feature running back to 20 carries in a single game, and 45 carries for every three games. Why so few? The wear and tear over the course of a season is cummulative. So running 25 times per game not only hurts the player early, but will have lasting effects that carry over into the postseason.

The Rams can toggle between Williams and Corum for that 20 carry workload per game. And Jarquez Hunter's blazing speed can create opportunities for a change of pace running as the game develops.

The Rams have invested two valuable draft picks into the running back position in the past two drafts. Unless there is a legitimate reason to park that talent on the bench for someday, the team has to change its strategy and get real-time production out of those talented players this season.