The Los Angeles Rams once built a model where draft picks weren’t a necessity, as general manager Les Snead even donned an “F Them Picks” shirt during their February 2022 Super Bowl parade.
But in a new “remodel” strategy implemented by Snead and the Rams, the franchise is starting to show the NFL they’ve made some late-round discoveries. One is their new lead running back Kyren Williams, who has two 100-yard games this season and went over 150 in the Week 6 romp of the Arizona Cardinals 26-9 at SoFi Stadium.
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How Did the Rams Discover Kyren Williams Late in the NFL Draft?
The Rams first fell in love with Williams’ competitive nature during his years with Notre Dame — so much so that the Rams moved up in the fifth round to lock him in during the 2022 NFL Draft.
“I love your competitiveness; I can’t wait, man,” head coach Sean McVay is seen saying on the day the Rams took Williams at No. 164 overall.
MORE: Los Angeles Rams Depth Chart
When the Rams took him in, they ignored Williams’ diminutive 5’9″, 210-pound stature and instead saw a Fighting Irish running back who posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and combined for 27 rushing touchdowns in his last two years in South Bend, Indiana.
But there was another aspect that eventually helped win over the Rams regarding Williams — one that involved the city of St. Louis.
Williams Revealed Fandom for Rams at Last NFL City After the Draft
Turns out Williams ended up playing for the team he cheered for.
Following his draft selection, he told the L.A. media how playing for the Rams became a dream fulfilled.
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“Right now, this is a dream come true,” Williams told reporters on April 30, 2022. “You know, starting in St. Louis and the Rams being there, and now they’re in L.A. Being with the program and the Rams, it’s a dream come true. I just couldn’t imagine being in a better place than Los Angeles.”
There’s more. While in St. Louis, Williams revealed he once met a certain Rams superstar named Steven Jackson during an autograph session.
Williams Proving Worthy of the Trading Up For
Moving up in the draft wasn’t the only bold move involving the Rams and Williams.
So was a crucial change in the backfield room during the early portion of the 2023 season.
Williams went from playing right behind Super Bowl-winning RB Cam Akers to eventually taking over the RB1 duties for the Rams. The team became so impressed with Williams that they opted to deal away their leading rusher to the Minnesota Vikings to make room for the former Norte Dame back.
Williams has responded by carrying the ball more than 10 times in every game. He showed his bell-cow side by handling 25 carries for 103 yards in the 19-16 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals and scoring two times.
Against the Cards, Williams even left momentarily with what appeared to be a bad ankle but still broke off this long scamper to help put Arizona away.
Another big run in Kyren Williams' breakout season
📺: #AZvsLAR on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/B4mQvLOt8O pic.twitter.com/VEncIot4PK— NFL (@NFL) October 15, 2023
Williams ended his afternoon with a new career-best of 158 yards and averaged 7.9 yards per carry in the 17-point win in Inglewood. He put up those numbers for a Rams offense that had been led by another fifth-round find in 2023 draft pick at wide receiver Nacua.
In the process, Williams is helping prove that Snead and the Rams have made some late-round discoveries through him and Nacua — and all in the post “F Them Picks” model for the Rams.