It’s a near-certainty that Cam Akers will be the Los Angeles Rams’ starting running back in Week 1. We thought that last season, too, but Akers’ grip on the starting job is even stronger this year with Darrell Henderson Jr. gone.
By all accounts, Akers has hit the ground running in training camp, getting off to a great start in his new bulked-up frame. But if there’s another player to know in the backfield, it’s Kyren Williams.
Had Williams not gotten hurt in OTAs last year and then again in Week 1, he likely would’ve had a much larger role in the offense as a rookie in 2022. He’s healthy now and ready to prove himself as the Rams’ No. 2 running back, standing out in all the right ways thus far in camp.
Matthew Stafford was a guest on SiriusXM NFL Radio this week and when asked to name a young player to watch on the Rams, he immediately mentioned Williams.
“I think Kyren Williams has done a really nice job in the backfield for us,” Stafford said. “A guy that probably not a lot of people know about but unfortunately had an injury last year during training camp, took him a little bit of time to get back. But he’s a guy in the backfield that when Cam needs a breather, he’s gonna do a nice job for us both in the run game and pass game.”
In practice this week, Williams caught a touchdown pass on a deep throw from Stafford, showcasing his ability as a receiver. His pass-blocking skills are well known, but Williams is trying to make an impact as a runner and receiver this year.
Matthew Stafford connects with Kyren Williams in stride for deep TD pass down the sideline
— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) August 2, 2023
Sean McVay has been equally impressed with the second-year tailback, but it still seems like Akers is locked in as the starter ahead of Williams. McVay does see a lot of value in having two capable running backs, though, especially given the wear and tear players at that position go through in a season.
“Cam is gonna be a huge part of it and he did a great job finishing the season the right way,” McVay said on SiriusXM NFL Radio. “I thought he’s really been able to capitalize on that momentum that he finished last season with. But with the running backs, those guys take such a toll throughout the 17-game season and then hopefully, you earn an opportunity to play after that. It’s important to be able to have a couple of guys that you trust. For Kyren to be able to spell Cam is gonna be really important. That was kind of the thought process as it relates to signing Sony. You bring in another guy like Royce Freeman and so Cam’s done a great job. And I think like Matthew articulated, Kyren is a guy that we’re very confident in and we’re gonna continue to see, as we get closer and closer to opening against Seattle, what exactly those roles look like, but feel really good about both those guys.”
It’s rare for a running back to play and start all 17 games in a single season, which Akers has yet to do in his career. So given the nature of the position, it’s realistic to think Williams will get a chance to start at some point this year.
Stafford and McVay sound confident he could handle the bigger workload, which makes Williams a player to keep an eye on this year – particularly from a fantasy perspective.
