When the Los Angeles Rams traded away Cam Akers during the 2023 season, it opened up the door for Kyren Williams to prove himself at the professional level.
Williams struggled with injuries to begin his NFL career, but once given the keys to the backfield he made good on his opportunity and established himself as a bellcow for head coach Sean McVay’s offense.
The Notre Dame product went on to become one of the best pure runners in the league, racking up 1,144 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. He also added 32 receptions for 206 yards and three touchdowns for good measure in just 12 games.
With training camp behind the team, Williams believes things worked out for him and Los Angeles and he expressed his excitement for the upcoming 2024 season, via Stu Jackson of TheRams.com:
“I think this camp went well, you know?” Williams told theRams.com after Saturday’s practice. “I think it came with a lot of getting better. That was the model each and every single day was just getting 1% better. I don’t feel like there was a day that I felt like might performance, I was satisfied with (it).
“So that’s the continued growth that I got to continue to keep chasing, continue having that mindset of I’m getting there, I’m on the way to being where I want to be. And that’s being explosive, being decisive, and just being who I am as a runner. Making people miss, or having to lower my pads when I have to. So for me, it was a work in progress, but I’m excited where we’re going, I’m excited where where we’re headed, and it’s gonna be fun this year.”
Entering his third year, Williams certainly still has some more upside he can tap into. The running back missed five games last season, so it stands to reason that he can have an even bigger year if he’s able to stay on the field.
While the Rams did draft Blake Corum to help ease the load, by all accounts it sounds like Williams will dominate touches again. If he’s able to improve upon last season, then Los Angeles could very well have one of the most explosive offenses in the league again.
Rams’ Kyren Williams ranked No. 78 on NFL Top 100
The Rams’ offense was well-represented in the annual NFL Top 100 list as Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua all made the cut. Kyren Williams joined his teammates as well, ranking No. 78 on the Top 100.