Kyren Williams, RB Pick #164 - 5th Round

[Kupped]

I agree with you on not getting snaps over the likes of Akers & Henderson, but I guess I don't look at Funk as an option as IMO, Funk does not play up to athletic numbers & Williams exceeds them IMHO. But in fairness, I've been tough on Funk and until he can play a full season at any level, I'm going to continue to be tough on him.

The health is the only issue with Funk for me. Productive when healthy & explosive. Special teams versatility will keep him ahead of Williams.

 

[Kupped]

And this means what??? Lots of people are great athletes but can't play the game and vice verse. What do they do with pads on, the ball in their hand, to help players around them, to make plays, etc... He has been getting a fair bit of attention from pretty sharp people and then we moved up to get him. That says far more to me than how someone ran in panties.

Geez…
Well… the guys ahead of him on the Rams have great tape AND much better athletic profiles.

I’m not calling him a bum, I’m saying he’s depth.

 

[Kupped]

A reminder on Funk…


View: https://twitter.com/mathbomb/status/1376509443278434309?s=21

 

[Faceplant]

I love The Funk as he is a local kid and I have been watching him since HS. His injuries derailed him early, but he will carve out a career as a situational RB and Special Teamer because is if just a really good football player.

Williams may not have the measurables, but he will always be a tough guy to tackle or account for out of the backfield. His stiff arm looks to be lethal btw....

I don't think it is fair to label him or any other rookie until we see them in pads against NFL talent.

 

[OldSchool]

A reminder on Funk…


View: https://twitter.com/mathbomb/status/1376509443278434309?s=21

YAY he won the underwear olympics!

 

[Merlin]

Teams finding RBs outside early rounds is damn near a meme. Happens quite a bit. Williams is in an ideal situation too because the Rams aren't counting on him to learn the offense and be the bell cow day one, but on the other hand they have a backup in Henderson who is far too often injured when the backup role is needed.

So I think there's a really high chance that Williams is our RB2. I'd put it like 90% in fact. Maybe more. He's probably the pick that is most likely to be a hit for us IMO.

 

[Kupped]

YAY he won the underwear olympics!

He put up excellent numbers… on the field.

I think referring to him as an underwear Olympics guy is an insult to him.

Not sure why you feel the need to trash him, but you do you.

 

[Kupped]

Teams finding RBs outside early rounds is damn near a meme. Happens quite a bit. Williams is in an ideal situation too because the Rams aren't counting on him to learn the offense and be the bell cow day one, but on the other hand they have a backup in Henderson who is far too often injured when the backup role is needed.

So I think there's a really high chance that Williams is our RB2. I'd put it like 90% in fact. Maybe more. He's probably the pick that is most likely to be a hit for us IMO.

As I’ve said, the guys in front of him have injury issues.

If they are healthy, he’s #3, at best.

People are dismissing Henderson’s talent really easily on here. Guy made critical plays in the Super Bowl.

 

[OldSchool]

He put up excellent numbers… on the field.

I think referring to him as an underwear Olympics guy is an insult to him.

Not sure why you feel the need to trash him, but you do you.

I'm not trashing Funk at all compared to what you're doing to Williams. And talk about insult? You're placing Funk over Williams based on college stats and what they did in workouts off the field. The same Funk that in 3 years had 135 carries because he couldn't stay on the field. Compared to Williams who had 419 carries in two games over two years. Total touches Funk had 158 and he got the most out of those no questions asked. Williams on the other hand had 78 catches in 2 years over three times what Funk produced and had over 200 carries each year while also getting in the end zone more times each of those 2 years than Funk had in his entire career.

If anybody is insulting somebody it's you doing it to Williams so don't get all defensive with me for pointing out some pretty obvious things in that Williams has production and has game tape to show you he's capable. You however choose to insult him by saying what he did in front of a stop watch means more than actually being able to play the game of football well. Now neither I nor anybody else on here can say if Williams will be a good NFL running back. But as said many times he's shown us on the field against top level competition that he can do it. Whether you choose to accept that fact is up to you. McVay loves the kid, might have even been more complimentary of him than he was of Funk last year. The rest of us hope all four of our top running backs are great. You seem to have this axe to grind on Williams which is a shame cause all the kid has done so far is produced. The Rams traded up to secure Williams. They waited until the 7th to get Funk maybe that says something about their futures I don't know.

Also for the record you do know how little the Rams put in to pro days and combine right? You know that event that McVay and Snead haven't gone to for 2 years now? Yeah get over the testing and get into game tape and game metrics, the Rams have.

 

[Jacobarch]

Either way I really like the pick. All of our Rbs now have an injury history so he adds some major depth

 

[Kupped]

I'm not trashing Funk at all compared to what you're doing to Williams. And talk about insult? You're placing Funk over Williams based on college stats and what they did in workouts off the field. The same Funk that in 3 years had 135 carries because he couldn't stay on the field. Compared to Williams who had 419 carries in two games over two years. Total touches Funk had 158 and he got the most out of those no questions asked. Williams on the other hand had 78 catches in 2 years over three times what Funk produced and had over 200 carries each year while also getting in the end zone more times each of those 2 years than Funk had in his entire career.

If anybody is insulting somebody it's you doing it to Williams so don't get all defensive with me for pointing out some pretty obvious things in that Williams has production and has game tape to show you he's capable. You however choose to insult him by saying what he did in front of a stop watch means more than actually being able to play the game of football well. Now neither I nor anybody else on here can say if Williams will be a good NFL running back. But as said many times he's shown us on the field against top level competition that he can do it. Whether you choose to accept that fact is up to you. McVay loves the kid, might have even been more complimentary of him than he was of Funk last year. The rest of us hope all four of our top running backs are great. You seem to have this axe to grind on Williams which is a shame cause all the kid has done so far is produced. The Rams traded up to secure Williams. They waited until the 7th to get Funk maybe that says something about their futures I don't know.

Also for the record you do know how little the Rams put in to pro days and combine right? You know that event that McVay and Snead haven't gone to for 2 years now? Yeah get over the testing and get into game tape and game metrics, the Rams have.

I’m going to point out a clear, consistent point… IF the other guys are healthy, Kyren is #4.

Maryland only played 5 games in 2020 and Funk put up fantastic tape and stats. He almost doubled Williams’ yard per carry. He came out rated an above average pass blocker with an extensive special teams resume. He’s a good coverage guy.

He’s a hell of a FOOTBALL PLAYER.

But he’s been hurt a ton.

When I look at the FOOTBALL PLAYERS, I see two good guys.. and one has superior athletic traits.

Also… Funk has a year in the NFL under his belt, that’s a big advantage.

I think Williams is a guy who will be able to step in early in his career, if needed, because he can be trusted in pass pro.

If I have all 4 guys healthy going into a Sunday, factoring all my #3 guy will have to do, Williams is #4.

Next year? As a 3rd down specialist type, with Hendo likely gone, I could see him ahead of Funk.

 

[LouisvilleRam]

Am I missing something when it comes to Williams? How did he fall so far in the draft. I mean he's electric

I think I read he had the slowest 40 of all the RB's at the combine and Kendrick had the slowest 40 of all the CB's at the combine which is strange because neither guy is that big (both weigh 194)

 

[1maGoh]

Not strange at all, to me.
One went to Notre Dame, the other went to Western Colorado.

Maybe the bias in the process is about the school they played at and the competition they played against.. just a thought. Especially since I'm not the one who brought up the Ekeler comp. Like I said.. Ek is on another level as an athlete.

That's fair. I don't follow college football, so I've no clue where they went. I also didn't bring up Ekeler. I think there's something to be said about level of competition, but it's not always accurate. Level of competition was my main argument agent Moritz Boehringer a few years ago. American football leagues in Germany are garbage. So so so bad. But there's airways small school guys that rise above so you can't completely discount them. I really like the (seemingly?) new strategy of taking late round flyers on extremely athletic high producers from small schools. If it pays off once every 5 years is a net win in my opinion.

 

[PARAM]

Akers has been injured. Henderson gets dinged a lot. Perhaps approaching it with 3 legit running backs works in a couple of ways. Keeps the reps down and theoretically the chances of injury. Keeps the defense guessing. Keeps the guys rested. The biggest drawback with playing a rookie running back is his liability in pass pro. Not so with Williams. Clearly they believed this is a kid who will help now because they traded up to get him.

 

[OldSchool]

I’m going to point out a clear, consistent point… IF the other guys are healthy, Kyren is #4.

Maryland only played 5 games in 2020 and Funk put up fantastic tape and stats. He almost doubled Williams’ yard per carry. He came out rated an above average pass blocker with an extensive special teams resume. He’s a good coverage guy.

He’s a hell of a FOOTBALL PLAYER.

But he’s been hurt a ton.

When I look at the FOOTBALL PLAYERS, I see two good guys.. and one has superior athletic traits.

Also… Funk has a year in the NFL under his belt, that’s a big advantage.

I think Williams is a guy who will be able to step in early in his career, if needed, because he can be trusted in pass pro.

If I have all 4 guys healthy going into a Sunday, factoring all my #3 guy will have to do, Williams is #4.

Next year? As a 3rd down specialist type, with Hendo likely gone, I could see him ahead of Funk.

In your opinion which is just as valid as mine which says if they're all healthy Kyren has every chance to be the #2 back. Hendo we know misses time he's done it multiple times each year of his career. This is not disputable he does it.

The next time Hendo breaks a tackle will likely be the first.

Kyren is just as good in pass catching and better at pass blocking.

We know very little about Funk as he had 2 carries for 5 yards in his rookie year though he was pretty average in his 4 kick returns.

I'm not anti Funk at all again I hope for tons of production from everybody. But acting like Funk's 2021 campaign secures him the #3 RB in rotation is laughable he barely did anything. I'm glad what he is able to do without pads on and nobody tackling him impresses you but fortunately for the coaches the opposite is true.

 

[den-the-coach]

I’m going to point out a clear, consistent point… IF the other guys are healthy, Kyren is #4.

But he’s been hurt a ton.

When I look at the FOOTBALL PLAYERS, I see two good guys.. and one has superior athletic traits.

Also… Funk has a year in the NFL under his belt, that’s a big advantage.

I think Williams is a guy who will be able to step in early in his career, if needed, because he can be trusted in pass pro.

If I have all 4 guys healthy going into a Sunday, factoring all my #3 guy will have to do, Williams is #4.

Next year? As a 3rd down specialist type, with Hendo likely gone, I could see him ahead of Funk.

I will be fair here, I did not like the Funk pick because of durability issues as if you're hurt at the collegiate level extensively, it usually does not translate well to the next level and last year proved that.

Also, FWIW, when Funk ran the ball, he looked a tad stiff, albeit, he hand limited, very limited opportunities. I hope you're right about Funk and then the Rams have 4 solid backs, plus hopefully, Jake Funk can put together a full year or at least spending no time on the injury list.

 

[Mojo Ram]

I don't need to see anymore of Funk. I'm admittedly much less tolerant than others when it comes to injury-prone players and reliability. I've openly criticized Kupp over the last few years for not being there when we needed him the most. The fact that he made it from start to dramatic finish this year was HUGE.

Sort of like the workplace, I always say...give me the average guy who shows up every day over the superstar who keeps you guessing. In Funk's case he's not worth being patient with because he's just not that gifted or important.

Again, i value the iron man reliability factor more than most.

 

[thirteen28]

Is there any other kind worth mentioning?

Oh yeah, there is:

I expected you to come back with something alluding to sub types being in marching band.

His depth charge was a dud.

 

[Loyal]

Oh yeah, there is:

View attachment 53922




His depth charge was a dud.

Yes, submariners are an….ummm…an aromatic group of depth charge targets….. and only 52% are sissies!

 

[TheTackle]

It is possible that he tweeked a hamstring hence didn’t test well. That is not to say he had speed to burn but looking at the tape does have you wondering if he isn’t faster and much more athletic than indicated?

I am not mad on the pick purely because of the two we have in front of him but suspect he will prove valuable over a long season

It was interesting that they valued him way above some of the TEs that were available which might indicate Higbee is on the list for a 3rd contract and that they intend to give a more full time job to one of our playoff TEs