The Los Angeles Rams draft class 2024 received mixed reviews from NFL Draft analysts, with some viewing the selections and trades as inexcusable decisions. However, others believe some of the choices made by Los Angeles could have a significant impact moving forward.
Los Angeles prioritized its defense heavily in the 2024 NFL Draft. Rams general manager Les Snead drafted edge rusher Jared Verse with the 19th overall pick then traded up in Round 2 for defensive lineman Braden Fiske. He also used a third-round selection on safety Kamren Kinchens as a fifth-round pick on defensive end Brennan Jackson.
Related: Examining the Los Angeles Rams running back revolution
While improving the talent and depth defensively was the team’s priority, with five of the first six Rams draft picks in 2024 used on defensive players, one top analyst believes one of the best scheme fits came on the other side of the ball.
Doug Farrar of Touchdown Wire identified and analyzed the best scheme fits on offense in the 2024 NFL Draft. Third on his list was the Rams adding running back Blake Corum to their backfield.
Related: Sean McVay addresses Matthew Stafford’s future with Los Angeles Rams
Why Blake Corum is a perfect fit for the Los Angeles Rams offense
As Farrar explained, highlighting specific concepts and both the Rams’ usage and Corum’s effectiveness on the same, designs, this is a perfect marriage between scheme and player.
“Last season, McVay (and primary running back Kyren Williams) called and ran more gap power stuff than any other team in the NFL — on Wham and Duo alone, the Rams gained 510 yards and 284 yards after contact, and scored eight touchdowns, on 115 carries. The Patriots ranked second with 82 carries…In the 2023 NCAA season, no back ran more out of Wham and Duo than Corum, who gained 276 yards, and 81 yards after contact in those two concepts, scoring three touchdowns on 38 carries.”
Doug Farrar on how Blake Corum fits with the Los Angeles Rams
Also Read: 2024 fantasy football rankings
Sean McVay and the Rams clearly have a type. While Kyren Williams was one of the best running backs in the NFL last season, the Rams coaching staff likely recognizes that picking 260-plus touches on a 5-foot-9 running back might not be the best long-term plan.
As McVay said in the post-draft press conference, Corum reminded the team a lot of Williams. They view both players as integral parts of their run game moving forward. Plus, with similar skill sets, Los Angeles can rotate the two players without having a ‘tell’ that signals to opponents what type of play they’re running.
While having Corum and Williams on the same team likely means neither player will be among the NFL leaders in rushing yards and touchdowns, the Rams offense can have one of the best rushing attacks in 2024 and beyond. Plus, with the improvements made to the interior offensive line, Los Angeles can be even more physical and effective on the ground in the years to come.
