NFL analyst predicts breakout season for Rams playmaker

The Los Angeles Rams are considered dark horse contenders in the NFC by some heading into next season, particularly after a strong second half of 2023.

In order for the Rams to truly make noise, they will probably need to get considerable production out of running back Kyren Williams.

Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox seems to think that will happen, as he lists Williams among his six players he feels will show significant improvement in 2024.

Williams enjoyed a terrific 2023 campaign, racking up 1,144 yards and 12 touchdowns while averaging a robust five yards per carry. He also caught 32 passes for 206 yards and three scores en route to a Pro Bowl appearance.

Perhaps the most notable part about Williams’ stat line is that he achieved it in 12 games, as he missed some time last year due to injuries.

It should also be mentioned that Williams broke his hand in the Rams’ Wild Card Round playoff loss to the Detroit Lions and had to undergo surgery, but he seems to be making great progress in his recovery.

The 23-year-old, who played his collegiate football at Notre Dame, was selected by Los Angeles in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

He barely made an impact during his rookie year, appearing in 10 contests and logging 139 rushing yards.

Last season was obviously a major step forward for Williams, and Knox feels that with LA’s addition of fellow halfback Blake Corum through the NFL Draft, Williams will be kept fresher and, thus, will be even more efficient in 2024.

Knox qualifies his statement by saying it’s possible that Corum may cut into Williams’ production, but he concludes that Williams could end up making the jump from Pro Bowler to All-Pro in 2024.

The Rams will certainly have no shortage of options offensively next season. As long as Matthew Stafford remains healthy under center, Los Angeles should be pretty explosive with Williams and Corum in the backfield and a pair of excellent wide receivers in Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. Plus, Los Angeles has a fine tight end in Tyler Higbee.

The Rams got off to a 3-6 start in 2023, but they went on to win seven of their last eight games to snare a Wild Card spot in the NFC playoff picture. Their lone loss during that stretch was an overtime defeat at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens.

We’ll see what Los Angeles does for an encore in 2024, and if Williams plays a big role in it.