After being a fifth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, what is Kyren Williams’ fantasy football outlook with the Los Angeles Rams this season? Can he climb the depth chart and make a significant impact on the fantasy landscape as a rookie? Let’s examine Williams’ fantasy value for 2022, his path to playing time, and whether he should be drafted at his current ADP in fantasy football drafts.
Kyren Williams’ fantasy outlook for 2022
Coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard and double-digit touchdown seasons at Notre Dame, Williams heads to the NFL looking to make an instant impact. Williams experienced a slow start, having just 29 total yards on four rushing attempts and one reception in 2019. If the Rams ease him into NFL life in a similar fashion, then it’s safe to say Williams’ fantasy value will be limited.
However, if Williams does have a role in the offense, the dual-threat nature of his skill set should help boost his value. During his time with Notre Dame, he had 78 receptions for 675 yards and four touchdowns. The majority of those touches came in his final two seasons (77 for 672 and four touchdowns).
Williams posted solid numbers on the field in college but struggled during the pre-draft process. His 4.65 40-yard dash was the slowest among receivers at the Combine, and he graded poorly in a number of metrics while registering a 3.52 relative athletic score (RAS; out of 10). Among 1,000-yard rushers to have a RAS recorded, only six players have entered the league scoring lower.
That relative lack of athleticism is a concern for a player looking to move up the Rams’ RB depth chart. If he cannot get himself at least into the top two on the depth chart, finding consistent fantasy value could be tough to do, barring significant injuries.
How the Rams’ depth chart impacts Kyren Williams’ fantasy projection for the season
The Rams have an intriguing RB depth chart. Cam Akers should be back fully healthy after missing the majority of the 2021 regular season with an Achilles injury. Akers will be competing with Darrell Henderson, who largely filled in as the starter in Akers’ absence. However, both backs have been dealing with “soft-tissue injuries” during training camp. There was no major alarm from the Rams, who rarely ask much from their skill position players in training camp and preseason.
While Williams will have his eyes on competing with those two, there are also some young and intriguing prospects behind him that he has to compete with. The other backs on the roster include Jake Funk and Trey Ragas. Neither should present a huge threat, but one of them will likely join Williams in a backup role on the final roster.
Nevertheless, there is an opportunity for Williams to make his mark. In 2021, Sony Michel led the Rams with 208 rushing attempts, as both Akers and Henderson missed time with injury. Michel is now on the Dolphins, and there are naturally concerns over the two leading backs remaining on the roster. Even if Williams doesn’t beat them out for a job as one of the main two backs in training camp, he could get his shot during the season.
Williams’ ADP for 2022
Currently, Williams is going largely undrafted in PPR. Even in non-PPR formats, his consensus ADP is outside the top 20 rounds. It seems unlikely Williams unseats either Akers or Henderson for the second spot on the depth chart, and thus, makes him a tough player to evaluate for fantasy this year. However, as a potential injury cover, his record from college is intriguing.
Ultimately, the lack of athleticism shown in the pre-draft process is a concern. The Rams have had a tendency to look toward backs with reasonable athleticism during Sean McVay’s time as head coach. Even Michel, who they traded for prior to last year, demonstrated significantly more athleticism than Williams in the pre-draft process. Given the questions over Michel’s ability to make people miss and make plays in the open field, that should ring alarm bells for Williams.
With an ADP as low as Williams, no player should ever be completely written off. With that said, at the back end of the draft, you’re generally looking for players who are one injury away from significant playing time. For Williams, that might not even be the case. If Akers goes down, Henderson would likely play the leading role, and vice-versa.
When you look at the numbers from 2021, the Rams ran a two-back system. They have previously operated with more backs involved, but when that happened, no one had significant fantasy value.
Heading into drafts, Williams should be viewed as a stash in only the very deepest of leagues. For shallower leagues, take the swing on someone who is one injury or mistake from becoming a potential starter. Williams barely cracks the top 100 running backs in our 2022 fantasy football rankings, so for now, reserve him as a player to consider as an in-season addition on the waiver wire if Akers and Henderson struggle.