Honestly, it’s about time people stopped looking at the rams running back depth chart as a one-man show. For a long while, Sean McVay treated the position like a solo act. Remember the Todd Gurley days? He’d ride his starter until the wheels literally fell off. But the 2025 season changed the math in Los Angeles, and as we head into the thick of the 2026 postseason, the backfield is a completely different beast than what we saw a couple of years ago.
You've got Kyren Williams still playing the role of the heart and soul, but the emergence of Blake Corum has turned this into a "lightning and lightning" situation rather than the traditional thunder and lightning.
The Top of the Heap: Kyren Williams
Kyren Williams is basically the engine. He finished the 2025 regular season with 1,252 rushing yards on 259 carries. That’s a healthy 4.8 yards per clip. But the real story isn't just the yardage; it's the volume. Even with a talented rookie breathing down his neck, Williams handled over 55% of the team's rushing attempts.
He’s a red zone vacuum. He punched in 10 rushing touchdowns this past year, and McVay still trusts him more than anyone when the team gets inside the 20-yard line. Williams had 51 red zone carries this season. That’s a massive share of the pie. If you're looking at the rams running back depth chart for fantasy or just to understand the scheme, #23 is still the "1A." He’s the guy you see in the game when it's 3rd and 2 and the season is on the line.
The Rise of Blake Corum
Then there’s Blake Corum. His rookie year in 2024 was... well, it was quiet. He barely touched the ball and then broke his forearm in Week 18. People were starting to whisper the "B" word—bust—which was crazy, but that’s the NFL for you.
2025 was his redemption arc. He put up 746 yards on 145 carries. What’s wild is his efficiency. He actually outpaced Kyren in yards per carry, sitting at a cool 5.1. He’s not just a "backup." He’s a change-of-pace weapon that actually maintains the pace. PFF noticed a huge jump in his "stuff rate" too—he’s finding holes faster and making better decisions at the line of scrimmage.
McVay mentioned late in 2025 that he loves how these two "spell each other." It’s a specialized rotation. You’ll see Williams take a heavy load in the first half, and then Corum comes in fresh in the third quarter to gas a tired defense. It's smart. It's also probably why the Rams are still playing football in January 2026 while others are scouting prospects in Mobile.
The Rest of the Room: Who Else Is There?
Beyond the big two, the rams running back depth chart gets a bit more specialized. It’s not just about who carries the ball; it’s about who covers kicks and blocks on third down.
- Ronnie Rivers: He’s the ultimate "glue guy." He doesn't get many carries—only about 9 for the whole 2025 season—but he’s the primary kick returner. He averaged 26.1 yards per return. If you see him on the field on offense, it’s usually because of his pass protection.
- Jarquez Hunter: The rookie out of Auburn. He was a fourth-round pick in 2025 and basically spent the year learning. He’s faster than the other guys, but McVay is notoriously picky about pass blocking. If you can't protect Matthew Stafford, you don't play. Simple as that.
- Cody Schrader: Mostly a special teams contributor and practice squad elevation type. He’s a good receiving back, but with the way Williams and Corum are playing, he’s mostly insurance.
Why McVay Changed His Ways
For years, McVay was criticized for "abandoning the run." In 2026, nobody is saying that. The Rams are running the ball on nearly 44% of their plays. That’s a huge shift.
Part of it is the offensive line getting healthy with guys like Steve Avila and Kevin Dotson bullying people up front. But a bigger part is trust. McVay finally has two backs he trusts equally. He doesn't feel like the offense dies when Kyren takes a breather.
Actionable Insights for the Postseason
If you’re tracking the Rams as they prepare for their Divisional Round matchup against the Chicago Bears, keep these three things in mind:
Watch the Red Zone Splits
Williams is the goal-line guy, but Corum has been getting more "early red zone" looks (between the 10 and 20-yard lines). If the Rams get a big lead, Corum’s usage skyrockets.
The Fatigue Factor
Chicago has a rough run defense (ranked 27th), allowing 134.5 yards per game. Expect the Rams to use the 1-2 punch to wear them down. If Kyren has 15 carries by halftime, Corum is going to have a massive fourth quarter.
Health is Everything
The Rams depth is better than it’s been in years, but an injury to either of the top two would force Jarquez Hunter into a role he might not be ready for yet in terms of pass-pro.
The rams running back depth chart isn't a mystery anymore. It's a structured, two-headed monster that has turned the Rams back into a physical, run-first team when they need to be. It’s a long way from the days of rotating journeymen and hoping for the best.
To stay ahead of the game, monitor the practice reports for Ronnie Rivers; his status as the primary returner often dictates how the Rams handle their active roster spots on game day. If he’s out, expect Xavier Smith or even Kyren himself to take those punt return reps, which could slightly limit Kyren's offensive snap count. Keep an eye on the first two drives against Chicago—if Corum gets an early series, it’s a signal that McVay is going for a full 50/50 split to keep his stars fresh for a potential NFC Championship run.
