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Almost (emphasis on ALMOST) as tilt-altering as Oasis’ announced reunion tour set for next summer, Sean McVay said Tuesday that Kyren Williams, his starting running back and a popular second-round fantasy pick, will return punts this season.
It’s a bizarre development. Coaches have debated the pluses and minuses of inserting playmakers as returners on dynamic kickoffs. But punts?
Again, it’s … strange.
Of course, stationing your starting running back in that special-teams role immediately prompts questions. At the top of the list: Won’t it raise injury risk? Will it impact his overall workload?
Both are appropriate inquiries, but, as Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reported, McVay stated it's “another way” for Williams to “impact the game.” That may be the case, but the potential repercussions are glaring.
Rodrigue followed up her initial revelation with an equally eye-opening nugget: “Kyren Williams and Blake Corum both got first-team reps the majority of August with Williams in the leadoff spot.”
Yep, that’s tasty.
Practices are closed during install and game prep periods starting this week. I will reiterate, Kyren Williams and Blake Corum have both gotten first team reps the majority of August with Williams in the leadoff spot. Corum started with some twos and then moved up.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) August 27, 2024
Corum, the 2024 third-round pick from national champion Michigan, earned a positive value adjustment without logging a single snap. Yes, his advanced analytics compiled last season in Ann Arbor weren’t great, as he finished No. 241 in YAC per attempt (2.42) and No. 93 in total missed tackles forced (30) among all FBS running backs, but he’s built like a fire hydrant at 5-foot-8 and 205 pounds, possessing the frame, hands, short-area quickness, footwork and elusiveness to rack yards.
The thought of Corum getting 10-12 touches in Week 1 against Detroit isn’t remotely far-fetched. Most importantly, he's one Williams knee tweak away from a massive role.
If you’ve yet to draft this weekend or are already in the market for adding RB depth via the trade market, Corum is worth your consideration (ADP: 140.26, RB39). He should have some FLEXY SEXY appeal in deeper formats. Also, sliding Williams into the RB15-RB20 range on your cheat sheet is advisable.
Keep in mind: The Rams have the 11th-easiest projected strength of schedule for fantasy RBs and an above average offensive line.
The rookie didn’t play a single snap in the oreseason, but if you roster him, chances are you won’t look back in anger.