The 2026 Running Back Room

[pvtdragon39]

You cannot just return punts if you have never done that before. Kick returner maybe, but not punt returns.

I know, but hes gonna have some type of skill useful to help this team now. The fact hes been inactive and buried behind Ronnie even on KR tells me a different story.

There were games he could have had the chance to showcase what he had, but was inactive.

If hes gonna be inactive every game, there must be a bigger issue.

 

[pvtdragon39]

1 ah shit erases 10 ata boys. At least that was what I was told by my Dad.

Hes correct! Happens in the work force everyday!

 

[den-the-coach]

I know, but hes gonna have some type of skill useful to help this team now. The fact hes been inactive and buried behind Ronnie even on KR tells me a different story.

There were games he could have had the chance to showcase what he had, but was inactive.

If hes gonna be inactive every game, there must be a bigger issue.

There is, they did not trust him in pass protection with a year under his belt, IMO, I think you will see more of him. BTW UDRFA RB Dean Connors actually graded out well in the category so he has a chance too.

 

[So Ram]

There is, they did not trust him in pass protection with a year under his belt, IMO, I think you will see more of him. BTW UDRFA RB Dean Connors actually graded out well in the category so he has a chance too.

Looking forward to how this plays out.The Rams give there players to work it out.

Kyren & Blake won’t get Reps in the preseason,SO there will be some extra carries to go around.

 

[Noregar]

Rivers is the know quantity. He is a stable RB who is assignment sound. He is not going to wow anyone but is the vet with a higher floor than the undrafted guys like Connor and waters right now. I think the 4th RB will have to make his bones on special teams. I think the Rams will really emphasize that aspect for the back end of the roster types.

Interesting observation: Under McVay rookie RB's see very little playing time outside of preseason. That is kind of against the league trend were rookie RB's usually integrate faster than most position groups.

PS: I was at the Panthers playoff game and was pleasantly surprised to see Hunter warming up before game. IMO KW and Corum stayed healthy and were a very effective duo so I think that more than anything was the reason they kept Hunter on the bench with few opportunities.

 

[Allen2McVay]

Would expect Hunter be the 3rd RB, with a 4th RB being a Special Teams contributor (Rivers or Connors).

However, the 4th RB would be more likely to be game-day active than the 3rd RB (unless he also plays STs).

Offense needs two RBs on game-day, so if Williams and Corum are both able to play 17 games (like last year), Hunter may not be game-day active. However, it's also a little rare for two NFL RBs to both play all 17 games.

 

[So Ram]

Rivers is the know quantity. He is a stable RB who is assignment sound. He is not going to wow anyone but is the vet with a higher floor than the undrafted guys like Connor and waters right now. I think the 4th RB will have to make his bones on special teams. I think the Rams will really emphasize that aspect for the back end of the roster types.

Interesting observation: Under McVay rookie RB's see very little playing time outside of preseason. That is kind of against the league trend were rookie RB's usually integrate faster than most position groups.

PS: I was at the Panthers playoff game and was pleasantly surprised to see Hunter warming up before game. IMO KW and Corum stayed healthy and were a very effective duo so I think that more than anything was the reason they kept Hunter on the bench with few opportunities.

UGH - yes Hunter made a tackle on special teams which helped The Rams WIN ! It was a show string tackle,SO if he missed it,it wouldn’t have been good.

Agree - on why he didn’t play much.Corum was fight for Reps & Kyren resigned,SO his need wasn’t a necessity.The RB room is the same,of course The Rams will give RB’s a chance(UDRFA).
Look at Rivers himself.He didn’t get snaps as a rookie. I wanted to go back to Todd Gurley,but he was a Fisher guy.Akers got his carries, Henderson(?). Kyren was hurt his rookie season,Blake had his chance,but he broke his hand & couldn’t pass protect.

 

[Merlin]

Connors has some similarities to Heidenreich, who I wanted them to draft. I don't think he's as smooth or explosive, but he certainly has the potential to add some pass game change of pace to our RB room on critical downs. Been digging through his games a bit and I like what I'm seeing, also I don't hold Rivers up to be some high standard as a RB3.

Smart as McVay is, I still don't think he's got a great eye with backs. He's improved a lot and it shows with our top two on the depth chart, but if they can find a UDFA who adds a little something in the pass game that would be welcome.

 

[DzRams]

Not how I remembered things so I looked it up. The Rams have been the highest ranked team in short yardage plays '22-'24 and were close to the top last year. So I'm not sure where this is coming from. Maybe the timing of some of those plays sticks in the memory bank more than others. I'm guessing the fans of many teams think the same.

Much of this has to do with Kyren Williams. He led the league in success rate last year and was in the top 3 the two prior seasons. You can't lead the league in success rate if you're not converting a good amount of short-yardage plays.

 

[BonifayRam]

I do not have any concerns with the Ram 2026 RB unit.

Kyren Williams
Blake Corum
Jarquez Hunter
Jordan Waters
Dean Connors
Ronnie Rivers

Top half of the 10 Ram Roster Units:
Safety
Tight End
RB
OL
DL

 

[fanotodd]

I do not have any concerns with the Ram 2026 RB unit.

Kyren Williams
Blake Corum
Jarquez Hunter
Jordan Waters
Dean Connors
Ronnie Rivers

Top half of the 10 Ram Roster Units:
Safety
Tight End
RB
OL
DL

I think the DL is deeper than most of the league realizes.
Whether we’re calling it the front 5 and including Verse and BY or just the interior 3, there’s a lotta talent there.
Turner, Ford, Fiske, Davis, and Keenan (I’m expecting good things) is a good group. DJ was converted to edge last season so I’m not sure where he’ll be this year.