Rams mulling over baffling Kyren Williams choice if speculation is true

One of the more puzzling headlines to surface amid Los Angeles Rams training camp is the apparent "competition" at punt returner between receiver Xavier Smith, the default choice, and running back Kyren Williams, who has returned six punts in his career. Speculation comes from the observation that Williams returned a pair of punts in Rams practice. 

There may actually be something to it. When camp kicked off, special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone named Williams an "option" for punt returns. Which, technically, he was last season - an option. Williams returned one punt for eight yards. 

Smith, on the other hand, ran back 27 for 251 yards, a solid slate of production indelibly tarnished by a fatal muff in the NFC Championship.

Still, it would be foolish for the Rams to even consider deploying Williams in even a part-time role, not least because he is still the RB1-A of the backfield tandem with Blake Corum, and the guy the Rams have relied on for a majority of carries. He doesn't need the extra workload and injury risk.

Deploying Kyren Williams as punt returner would be a mistake

Some have made the not unjustified suggestion that maybe Williams' potential special-teams involvement augurs a more balanced time share in the backfield with the up-and-coming Corum, or even a distribution where Corum, not Williams, gets a bit more of the work.

That could certainly become the case at some point down the road, but 2026 feels a bit soon - if not way too early - to start drafting a succession plan. Williams is coming off three straight 1,000-yard, 10-touchdown seasons and is under contract through 2028. He'll turn 26 in late August. He's in his prime.

Assuming Williams is still at least a co-RB1, if not the lead back, it makes no sense to add miles to his legs as a returner, in addition to upping his injury risk. That's where Rams fans might hope that reports reflect more training-camp fixation than something the team is seriously considering. 

The idea of Williams returning punts is also a head-scratcher in that, among the Rams' available options, he is hardly the blazer of the bunch. Corum is the far more explosive ball carrier (not that he should be returning kicks either) and Smith posted a 40-time between 4.38 and 4.39 seconds. 

Maximizing Smith's speed on special teams makes natural sense. Moreover, his small size makes it more difficult for him to become a fixture of the offense. If Smith isn't returning kicks, how much do the Rams need him?

Is that what this is about? LA hardly has the luxury of cutting ties with any serviceable wideout given the questionable depth, if potential, in the room. 

The whole thing feels fishy, and hopefully that's all it is. 

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow