One NFC workforce that could possibly be a darkish horse this season is the Los Angeles Rams.
Predicted by some to have a horrible 2023 marketing campaign, the Rams gained 10 video games, made the playoffs and almost upset the NFC North champion Detroit Lions.
One of many causes for his or her surprising success was the emergence of operating again Kyren Williams, who in his second professional season ran for 1,144 yards and 12 touchdowns whereas including 32 catches for 206 yards and three touchdowns regardless of lacking 5 video games.
Usually, groups designate a younger broad receiver as their punt returner, however based on Rams head coach Sean McVay, Williams will deal with that obligation this season, per Sarah Barshop of ESPN.
Sean McVay mentioned Kyren Williams would be the Rams’ punt returner.
— Sarah Barshop (@sarahbarshop) August 27, 2024
This appears to be a curious determination on condition that Williams is likely one of the Rams’ most necessary offensive weapons and that punt returns are one of the vital violent performs in soccer.
He isn’t notably quick, as he ran the 40-yard sprint in 4.65 seconds forward of the 2022 NFL Draft, the place he was a fifth-round choice, and he seems to be not less than considerably injury-prone.
Williams performed in simply 10 video games as a rookie due to a excessive ankle sprain, and final season, he had one other ankle sprain, plus a hip harm after which a damaged hand he suffered within the playoff contest towards Detroit.
If Los Angeles stays comparatively wholesome this season, they might enhance on final 12 months’s win whole and, within the minds of some pundits, problem the San Francisco 49ers for first place within the NFC West.
The Rams have carried out a outstanding job of drafting, which has allowed them to rebound from their horrific Tremendous Bowl championship protection in 2022 to once more change into a viable contender so shortly.
