Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams went from a late-round or even undrafted in most fantasy leagues to winning championships in 2023. Entering his third season, the day-three draft pick from 2022 won the starting job in his second year this past season and was one of the best rushers in the NFL.
Despite injuries and concerns with his speed, that didn’t stop 23-year-old All-Pro and Pro Bowler from having the second-highest average point total among all running backs last year, only behind Christian McCaffrey with 21.3.
Heading into 2024, can Williams replicate his electric second season or is his current average draft position for fantasy football justified?
Kyren Williams 2023 Stats and Production
At 5’9″ and 194 pounds, nobody expected the season that Kyren Williams (like Puka Nacua) put together for the Rams, as he was a three-down workhouse despite his size. He emerged after winning the starting job early in 2023, taking it from Cam Akers, who was coming off his previous season-ending injury in 2022 and was traded to the Minnesota Vikings.
Head coach Sean McVay leaned on the run game through Williams, as he had 228 carries for 1,144 yards on the ground with 12 rushing touchdowns. The young starter was involved in the passing game, with 32 catches for 206 receiving yards with 3 touchdowns as a reliable check-down option for Matthew Stafford.
In PPR especially, according to FantasyPros, Williams was an early waiver-wire darling and was a top fantasy running back most weeks when he was on the field. He finished the year third in rushing among all running backs in 2023.
Kyren Williams 2024 Fantasy Outlook
I still expect many double-digit games from Kyren Williams in 2024 as a potential top-five back for fantasy, even with the chance of less volume moving forward. The main concern is injuries, as the LA rusher only played 12 games with an ankle sprain injury that sidelined him four games mid-season.
To keep their starting back fresh, the Rams could use their third-round pick from the 2024 Draft, Blake Corum, who is similar stylistically and was exceptionally productive in college while being another year removed from his season-ending injury.
According to FantasyPros, Williams is the eighth-ranked running back in PPR and is being taken around rounds two or three. With an ADP of 28 and a strength of schedule against running backs at 14th, I think that might be a steal, especially if he drops past round three by the time late summer rolls around.
Even with his existing and potential injury risk, it’s hard to ignore how Williams took the football world by storm in 2023, recording 10 double-digit fantasy weeks.
Final Thoughts on Kyren Williams
I would personally still take the gamble on Kyren Williams over running backs like Jahmyr Gibbs from the Detroit Lions or Travis Etienne from the Jacksonville Jaguars. Both running backs go before the Ram’s ball carrier, I would still give the edge to Williams even with his injury risk.
Another rusher in a similar range as Williams is Rachaad White of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as both benefit from volume and pass-catching ability.
That being said, it will be something to think about when taking him in fantasy, as ESPN reported that Williams will miss OTAs due to a foot issue, according to McVay. Although we are still a few months away, especially early season, Los Angeles might be smart to ease him back in and not give him a massive workload right away to start the year.
Kyren Williams is still the main focal point of an elite offense that is trying to reach another Super Bowl with Stafford, with a bolstered run-blocking offensive line aiming to pound the rock in 2024.
About the Author
Previously wrote for Fansided NFL Mocks, Pro Football Network, uInterview/ uSports, the Daily Culture, and Ironiq Media. Recent Journalism/ Media Studies Grad and wrote for Impact News, the award-winning news publication of Mercy College, now Mercy University.
Now writing for Total Apex Sports about the NFL, NFL draft, and fantasy football, along with Total Apex E&G about movies, shows, anime, and gaming. You can follow me on Instagram @kimandrew1357 and Twitter (aka X) @kookykim1357.
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