Running back wasn’t high on the Rams’ list of draft needs – at least not externally from the perspective of analysts and fans. Internally, it’s clear the team saw it as a priority position, likely due to the injury history of Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson Jr.
The Rams wound up drafting Kyren Williams in the fifth round, trading up 11 spots to select the Notre Dame running back. Akers is still going to be the starter, and Henderson will likely be his backup, but Williams can still carve out a role for himself thanks to one specialized skill: blitz pickups.
Williams may not be the biggest running back, standing just 5-foot-9 and 194 pounds, but he’s never afraid to take on a blitzer, regardless of size. When Pro Football Focus listed the pros and cons of the top running backs in the 2022 draft, the first one listed for Williams was his willingness to pass protect.
