Kyren Williams, a running back, was picked by the Los Angeles Rams out of
Running back Kyren Williams out of Notre Dame was selected by the Los Angeles Rams because he was a good doer of the small things. He might not have been dynamic enough to be given a starting role and he wasn’t going to regularly earn them chunk plays, but he would hit the holes he was meant to and perform his pass protection duties.
Williams was an afterthought to those outside the building during his first season, which saw just 35 running attempts due to foot surgery and an ankle sprain. Running backs selected late in the draft who don’t perform well in their first seasons aren’t particularly in demand.
However, Williams gained the respect of head coach Sean McVay due to his willingness to perform grunt work and his effectiveness in doing so. It was evident in his second season that the friendship was assisting him in pushing for more plays. Williams was able to take over after incumbent starter Cam Akers was dealt.
At the all-star game, Williams talked about the ascent so few saw coming: “I would say I expected it because all I wanted coming into this year was a chance. And I knew that I was this type of player and I just needed a chance to show it.” Los Angeles wouldn’t regret it. Williams would turn in a Pro Bowl-caliber season and help fuel one of the league’s most feared offenses.
Williams made the most of his opportunity to have one of the 2023 season’s best campaigns.
In Week 18, he would sit out four games due to injury and one game for rest. Despite this, he completed 228 passes for 1,144 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground. Through the air, he would gain an additional 206 yards and three touchdowns.
No running back has ever averaged more yards per game, which contributed to his inclusion to the Second Team All-Pro, which was both deserved and unexpected given his standing prior to Week 1.
And coach McVay trusted me enough to give me the chance,” Williams remarked. “And it allowed me to feel good about myself and just be myself as a player.”
As it happens, he’s a fantastic NFL running back. Williams led all ball carriers with at least 100 carries (44 total) in projected points added per run average. He maintained the qualities that got him onto the field in the first place while producing more big plays than anyone could have predicted.
That’s a surefire prescription for success, and it implies plenty of touches for McVay’s offense. With his performance living up to the confidence he’s always had, Williams is no longer an anonymous player, and 2024 should see him have a fantastic season.