Revisiting that 2022 NFL Draft trade that sparked a Rams Renaissance

The Los Angeles Rams enjoyed a lengthy and successful chapter playing in Saint Louis, Missouri. That fact becomes vital to understand exactly how the team pivoted from a struggling team with few draft picks to reclaim its spot as an NFL perennial powerhouse. A team that had just won Super Bowl LVI did not seem to need much entering the draft.

But that did not stop general manager Les Snead from finding another diamond in the rough on Day 3 of the 2022 NFL Draft. It was a simple selection, one that did not set off many bells or whistles. But it did require Snead to give up two picks to trade up 11 spots.

In hindsight, it may have been one of the most important draft moves of his NFL career. And here is how it was portrayed on the Rams website:

"The Rams traded up in the fifth round to send the 175th pick and 238th pick to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for the 164th pick."

Stu Jackson

The Rams selected a Day 3 running back for a roster that did not seem to need one. NFL analysts not only did not love the pick, but they also gave a cold shoulder to the team's entire rookie class. But Notre Dame running back Kyren Williams, who originally hailed from Saint Louis, was an intriguing addition.

Los Angeles Rams offense transformed behind Kyren Williams

Adding a rookie whose selection by Los Angeles is initially described as a 'Dream come true' is always a good sign. But the addition of Williams was perfectly timed. The team would face locker room rebellion from starting running back Kyren Williams. LA's offense would also face inconsistency from oft-injured running back Darrell Henderson.

Williams benefitted from being the ideal option at the right NFL position at the right time.

In four NFL seasons, Williams has generated 3,834 rushing yards, 36 rushing touchdowns, 111 receptions, 745 receiving yards, and eight receiving touchdowns. 44 touchdowns over four seasons work out to 11 touchdowns per season.

That's a miraculous return for a player selected with the 164th overall selection.

Williams has played just four seasons in Horns, but has already ascended to the seventh overall career rushing leader in franchise history. In just two more seasons, he will be among the top five leading rushers.

Since joining LA, the team has added wide receiver Puka Nacua (2023), tight end Colby Parkinson and running back Blake Corum (2024), and wide receiver Davante Adams and tight end Terrance Ferguson (2025). Better still, Williams has shifted the team's offensive philosophy away from a wide-receiver-centric offense towards one that utilizes all its weapons.

Williams is a passionate, productive player. And he has been all that Sean McVay could have asked for. In fact, his arrival set the stage for a similar impact from wide receiver Puka Nacua. And Los Angeles, plagued with the lack of Day 1 draft selections, proved to the NFL that this personnel department can still find NFL talent anywhere in the draft.

To be fair, this team tried to trade for veteran running back Christian McCaffrey in 2022. Frustrated by the Carolina Panthers rejection, the team turned to Kyren Williams to breathe new life into LA's running game. That's worked out rather well.

As always, thanks for reading.