The Los Angeles Rams offense is loaded with talent, including running back Kyren Williams. Though he’s not considered one of the five or even 10 best running backs in the NFL by outside viewers, the Rams know his value to the team. It’s why Los Angeles signed him to an extension last summer.
Heading into the 2026 season, he’s expected to keep his role as the Rams’ RB1, doing everything asked of him by the coaching staff. He’s an early-down runner, a third-down receiver and blocker, and even has the ability to return kickoffs and punts if needed.
His importance to the Rams is high, which is why he ranks 10th on our list for 2026, just as he did last year.
How he got here
Even with Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson Jr. already on the roster, the Rams drafted Williams in the fifth round in 2022. He played his college football at Notre Dame, where he was an undersized back who checked a lot of boxes for the Rams.
The Rams had plans to involve him more as a rookie in 2022, but a couple of injuries derailed his first year in the NFL. However, he took over as a starter in 2023, playing 12 games and starting 11 of them on his way to his first Pro Bowl selection.
Last summer, the Rams signed Williams to a three-year, $33 million contract, which runs through 2028.
2025 stats
17 games (17 starts): 259 carries, 1,252 yards, 10 TDs. 50 targets, 36 catches, 281 yards, 3 TDs
Projected role
Williams is expected to maintain his role as the Rams’ starting running back again this season, even with Blake Corum eating into his workload. Williams does everything well for Los Angeles, whether it’s as a runner, receiver or pass blocker for Matthew Stafford.
What’s hard to know is just how many carries Williams will lose to Corum this season. Corum had 145 carries to Williams’ 259, which was a very close split. It was Williams’ fewest carries since 2023 when he had 228, but that was in only 12 games. His 15.2 carries per game were by far his fewest in the NFL.
There’s no question Williams will continue to be the Rams’ chain-mover and touchdown machine, as he has been for the last three years with at least 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns each season.
One thing to know
Williams forced 51 missed tackles last season, which ranked 10th among all running backs. He’s not seen as the fastest or most powerful back, but he makes defenders miss in the hole with his quickness and sudden movements. He did improve his big-play ability last season, too, ranking eighth with 29 carries of 10-plus yards.
Why he’s important
Williams may not have breakaway speed or the big-play ability of Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson, but he keeps the offense on schedule with positive runs. His 4-5-yard runs ensure the Rams don’t get behind the sticks, which would force them into more obvious passing situations, tipping their hand to the offense.
The playbook opens much more when it’s second-and-5 rather than second-and-10, allowing the Rams to run the ball again to create third-and-short – or even pick up the first down. He’s also a good check-down option for Stafford and a pass-protector, despite being smaller than most running backs.
Without a productive and consistent back like Williams, the Rams offense wouldn’t be as steady as it has been for the last three years. Not to mention, he has a nose for the end zone, always knifing his way between tacklers.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams’ 26 most important players for 2026 – No. 11: RB Kyren Williams
Reporting by Cameron DaSilva, Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Cameron DaSilva, Rams Wire | USA TODAY Network
