McVay Excited About Rams’ Stable of RBs for This Reason

McVay on rookie RB Jarquez Hunter: Stares a hole right through you.

May 28, 2025; Woodland Hills, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams (23)during organized team activities at Rams Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Former NFL running back Maurice Jones-Drew on Sunday said that when the Rams can get Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua healthy and productive, Kyren Williams and the Rams will be eating a “full, complete meal.”

Blake Corum might be the escargot in that dinner, the exotic dish with an unexpected taste. And because Williams was the Porterhouse the last two seasons, Corum could catch opponents off guard with more carries this year. Head coach Sean McVay said Saturday that the second-year running back plays a big role among a bright group of fledgling offensive stars.

Nov 17, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Blake Corum (22) runs with the ball against New England Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones (25) during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images | Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

“Blake's done a great job,” McVay said “You can see he's more and more comfortable. He had the forearm injury at the end of the year last year, but he has been great.

“What I think is really cool is whether you're talking about a Jordan Whittington, Blake Corum or Kyren Williams, you don't bet against these guys. These guys are going to figure it out. They're mentally and physically tough people. They're resilient. They've shown consistent instances of being able to respond, but also to stay humble through the good times. Those are the kinds of guys we're looking for.”

Rams have 8-year streak of drafting RB, longest ever

Looking for running backs is something the Rams do annually. According to Elias Sports Bureau, the Rams are the only team in the common-draft era (1967-present) to select a running back in eight consecutive drafts. They continued that streak, which began in 2018, by taking Jarquez Hunter in the fourth round this spring.

And if they already have their unique appetizer to pair with the main-course steak, Hunter is more like a stiff shot of whiskey.

Auburn Tigers running back Jarquez Hunter (27) is tackled by Oklahoma Sooners running back Emeka Megwa (23) as Auburn Tigers take on Oklahoma Sooners at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. Oklahoma Sooners defeated Auburn Tigers 27-21. | Jake Crandall/ Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

“I thought you saw Jarquez do an excellent job,” McVay said after a run-focused practice Monday. “He's heavy, he's got a great body lean, and even though we're not truly tackling, you can feel that he is heavy through the hole. He's got a really good demeanor, man. He just kind of stares a hole through you. But he is continuing to show improvement.”

Update on Kyren Williams' next contract

• Negotiations were showing improvement on a contract extension for Williams before training camp, and although McVay said the meeting had “good dialogue,” he had no updates as of Monday. The Rams’ senior manager of football administration, Matthew Shearin, joined McVay in that meeting last week with agent Drew Rosenhaus.

• “It's very healthy conversations and I give him a ton of credit for the way that they've approached it,” McVay added.

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