Blake Corum has been nipping at the heels of Kyren Williams since last season, eating into his carries as the Los Angeles Rams try to keep both players healthy and fresh all year long. Williams has maintained his spot as the Rams' RB1 and outsnapped Corum just about every week, but the gap keeps getting tighter and tighter.
Against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday
, there may have been a shift in the Rams' backfield.Williams once again got the start, as he has every week that he's been available since Week 2 of the 2023 season. However, it was Corum who got the first carry of the day. After throwing three straight passes on the opening three-and-out with Williams on the field, Corum took over at running back on the second drive. And so when the Rams
decided to run the ball for the first time, he was the one taking the handoff.
Corum actually finished the game with more carries than Williams, 17 to 16. And had the Rams not been in a position where they needed to ice the game in garbage time, the discrepancy would've been much wider. Williams carried it five times for 23 yards on the final drive when Los Angeles was leading by 14 points and the game was all but out of reach.
Before that drive, Williams had just 11 carries to Corum's 17, and he had 76 yards compared to Corum's 99. The gap doesn't look as eye-popping because of that final drive, but Corum outsnapped and outproduced Williams if you exclude the final possession.
Even with it, Williams only played 10% more of the snaps than his backup Corum.
#Rams Week 7 RB Usage
— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) October 25, 2026
- Kyren Williams: 53% snaps, 16 carries, 14 routes, 2 targets (121 yds, TD, fumble)
- Blake Corum: 43% snaps, 17 carries, 2 routes, 1 target (101 yds, TD)
Corum had 2 TDs called back due to penalty (2 and 43 yds)
Some may think this was in response to Williams' postgame comments last week, when he said he doesn't know why the Rams lack energy from drive to drive "because I'm not out there." However, that's most likely not the case. Sean McVay said Williams brought that up to him directly and clarified what he meant, understanding that Williams wasn't complaining about his role or playing time.
It is possible, though, that Williams' fumble in the second half will lead to Corum getting more work. It was Williams' second fumble of the season, something that has troubled him in recent years. He had three fumbles in 2023, five in 2024 and two last season.
Turnovers are costly, and it could affect playing time – even for a leader like Williams.
The biggest reason Corum could get more opportunities is his sheer production. He's been the more explosive back of the two, even if his longest run is only 18 yards compared to Williams' 30-yarder. Corum had a 43-yard run called back by a penalty Sunday, and it's not the first time he's had a big play taken away from him.
The Rams will probably never commit to Corum as their starting running back. That will likely remain Williams' role, even if only in name. But Corum has shown his agility and speed can be difference-makers for Los Angeles.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Is Blake Corum overtaking Kyren Williams as Rams' top RB?
