Rams News: X-Factors Complicating Possible Repeat All-Pro Season for Kyren Williams

The third-year running back is looking to build on a breakout 2023.

L.A. Rams running back Kyren Williams (23) runs the ball during the fourth quarter of the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024. / Eric Seals / USA TODAY NETWORK

Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams emerged as a true RB1 target for Pro Bowl quarterback Matthew Stafford during an impressive 2023 season.

The 5-foot-9, 195-pound Notre Dame product was named a Second Team All-Pro and a Pro Bowler during his run with the club, while helping power L.A. to a 10-7 record and Wild Card Round appearance. Across 12 healthy contests, he logged 228 carries across 1,144 yards (averaging five per carry) and 162 first downs.

Can Williams replicate his 2023 output in 2024?

Even though he's currently rehabbing his way through an injury, the 23-year-old is more than capable of a repeat All-Pro season — that said, he may some competition for touches at the position, thanks to the arrival of CFL National Championship Game Offensive MVP Blake Corum, the All-American Michigan Wolverines running back whom L.A. selected with the No. 83 pick in the third round of this year's draft. Williams notched over 1,000 yards in carries across two consecutive seasons, becoming the first player at that position since Todd Gurley to achieve that feat. His 21.7 touches per contest paced all running backs last year.

If he's as good as Les Snead expects him to be, Corum is going to cut into some of this production. Will it be enough to force Williams to drop below that 1,000-yard mark in 2024? It's quite possible, although it's worth noting that Williams missed five games last year, and still carried for 1,144 total yards. So even with fewer touches, if it's he's healthier, he could manage a third straight 1,000-plus yard run.

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