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2026 NFL backfield

Los Angeles Rams running backs

The current roster, the published replacement plan and the production behind each player’s role.

The published backfield plan

Published starter

Kyren Williams

Preferred handcuff

Blake Corum

Kyren's handcuff; Corum is the settled No. 2 and takes over Thursday night.

View Kyren Williams’s handcuff breakdown

Week 1 analysis published .

This analysis is over 24 hours old. Confirm current roles and availability before making a move.

The game covered by this analysis has started or finished. This is a record of that window, not a recommendation for the next game.

How the work could change

The Rams' Week 1 depth chart has Kyren Williams first, Blake Corum second and Jarquez Hunter third for the Thursday night opener against San Francisco (Sept. 2026). No Rams running back appears on the NFL's official Week 1 injury report (Sept. 10). There is offseason expectation that Corum eats into more of Williams' carries this year, which makes him the obvious beneficiary if Williams were unavailable.

No Rams running back is on the official Week 1 injury report as of Sept. 10 and no designations were posted for the Thursday night opener. Kyren Williams is healthy; Blake Corum is the settled No. 2 with expectations of a larger carry share in 2026.

The full backfield depth chart

Every running back and fullback assigned to Los Angeles Rams, including reserve and practice-squad entries. Chart order and replacement opportunity answer different questions: a passing-down specialist can sit ahead of the back most likely to inherit the carries.

Source: nflverse depth-chart feed · Feed dated Thu, Sep 10, 8:01 AM EDT. Equal ranks are ties. Unlisted backs are not assigned an invented rank. FB ranks are separate from RB ranks.

Los Angeles Rams full running back depth chart
Feed orderPlayerScouting roleDraft investmentRoster status
RB1
Kyren WilliamsPublished starter		Three-down back2022 · Round 5 · Pick 164active
RB2
Blake CorumPublished handcuff		Three-down back2024 · Round 3 · Pick 83active
RB3
Ronnie Rivers		Change-of-pace backUndraftedactive
Unlisted
Dean Connors		Role under review2026 · Undraftedpractice squad
Unlisted
Jordan Waters		Role under reviewDraft history unavailablepractice squad

Every back: role, upside and obstacles

The player assessments below explain the skills that could earn work and the assignments that might go to someone else. Role labels describe scouting assessments; they are not confirmed snap shares. “Three-down” means a skill set for rushing and passing situations, not a guarantee of every down.

RB1 · Three-down back

Kyren Williams

Age 26 · 5 years of NFL experience · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Capable in saved assessmentPass protection: Positive assessment
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

McVay's trusted every-down back — huge touch volume, goal-line work and dependable protection, with 1,533 scrimmage yards and 13 TD in 2025. Has answered the early-career durability questions, though Corum's rise means a lighter carry share in 2026.

Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.

Path to more work

He is the starter in the dated board above. For fantasy purposes, the question is how much of the rushing and passing work he keeps when the whole room is available.

Why the work could go elsewhere

A starter can still lose third downs, short-yardage work or change-of-pace touches to specialists. His role assessment describes the skill set, not a guarantee that every assignment stays with him.

The saved assessment credits his pass protection, which can help a back earn passing-down trust. It does not guarantee a three-down assignment.

Draft investment

2022 · Round 5 · Pick 164

Drafted by LA; not necessarily his current team.

A later-round selection describes his entry point. It does not rule out a lead role; demonstrated production and a trusted assignment matter more than draft position alone.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2026, his 1 recorded game include 11 carries and 3 receptions on 3 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

RB2 · Three-down back

Blake Corum

Age 25 · 3 years of NFL experience · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Capable in saved assessmentPass protection: Positive assessment
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

The premium handcuff in the NFL: Kyren Williams rarely splits work evenly, so an injury would hand Corum a true every-down role in one of the league's best offenses. Already carving out a timeshare on merit — durable, decisive and trusted on all three downs.

Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.

Path to more work

The dated board selects him as the preferred replacement behind Kyren Williams. That is a projection of the replacement role, not a promise that he gets every touch.

Ahead on the feed’s RB chart: Kyren Williams. Their roles and availability shape how much work could open up.

Why the work could go elsewhere

The saved assessment describes a back suited to rushing and passing situations. That broader skill set could help him stay on the field when the starter is absent, though the team can still split the work.

The saved assessment credits his pass protection, which can help a back earn passing-down trust. It does not guarantee a three-down assignment.

Draft investment

2024 · Round 3 · Pick 83

Drafted by LA; not necessarily his current team.

Day-two draft investment adds prospect context. His current role, availability and competition still decide whether he gets the next opportunity.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2026, his 1 recorded game include 10 carries and 0 receptions on 0 targets. Receiving volume is not established by these records. Do not read that as proof he cannot catch or protect the quarterback.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

RB3 · Change-of-pace back

Ronnie Rivers

Age 27 · 5 years of NFL experience · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Positive assessment
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

Special-teams-first third back who has been in the building for years. Emergency depth only — the Rams' plan behind Kyren Williams starts and ends with Corum.

Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.

Path to more work

His path begins with an opening behind Kyren Williams. The dated board currently prefers Blake Corum for the lead replacement role. Being next on a depth chart would not by itself guarantee the carries, third downs and goal-line work.

Ahead on the feed’s RB chart: Kyren Williams, Blake Corum. Their roles and availability shape how much work could open up.

Why the work could go elsewhere

A change-of-pace role can create useful touches in a limited package. It does not automatically transfer to the starter’s workload; another back may fit the early-down or short-yardage assignment better.

The saved assessment credits his pass protection, which can help a back earn passing-down trust. It does not guarantee a three-down assignment.

Draft investment

Undrafted

He entered without draft investment. That says how he arrived, not what he can become; current usage and coaching trust carry more weight now.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2026, his 1 recorded game include 5 carries and 1 receptions on 1 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

Unlisted · Role under review

Dean Connors

Age 23 · Rookie · practice squad

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Not established

Dean Connors is a rookie listed by LA at RB, from Houston. The official roster lists him at 6-0 and 206 pounds.

Research checked Fri, Sep 11, 12:01 PM EDT. Undated biographies support background facts, not a current workload promise.

Path to more work

A practice-squad place keeps him available for development and possible elevation. Any offensive work would depend on an active-roster opening and a team decision to use him in the backfield.

Why the work could go elsewhere

The official roster verifies his current reserve placement and basic background but does not establish backfield rank, pass protection, a three-down role or a projected touch share.

Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.

Draft investment

2026 · Undrafted

He entered without draft investment. That says how he arrived, not what he can become; current usage and coaching trust carry more weight now.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

No recorded NFL regular-season production is available in the two seasons shown. That is an evidence gap, not a zero or a judgment of his ability.

His roster feed status is practice squad. He needs the relevant roster or availability change before this becomes an immediate pickup opportunity.

Player research sources

Unlisted · Role under review

Jordan Waters

Age 25 · 1 years of NFL experience · practice squad

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Not established

Jordan Waters is a second-year player listed by LA at RB, from N.C. State. The official roster lists him at 6-0 and 219 pounds.

Research checked Fri, Sep 11, 12:01 PM EDT. Undated biographies support background facts, not a current workload promise.

Path to more work

A practice-squad place keeps him available for development and possible elevation. Any offensive work would depend on an active-roster opening and a team decision to use him in the backfield.

Why the work could go elsewhere

The official roster verifies his current reserve placement and basic background but does not establish backfield rank, pass protection, a three-down role or a projected touch share.

Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.

Draft investment

Draft history unavailable

A verified draft record is not available here. Missing data does not mean he went undrafted.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

No recorded NFL regular-season production is available in the two seasons shown. That is an evidence gap, not a zero or a judgment of his ability.

His roster feed status is practice squad. He needs the relevant roster or availability change before this becomes an immediate pickup opportunity.

Player research sources

The production behind the names

2026 regular season. Recorded production, not a projection. A missing stat line is not a zero.

Player comparison for the 2026 regular season
PlayerGames with statsCarriesReceptionsTotal yardsPPR / game
Kyren Williams
11136515.5
Blake Corum
1100545.4
Dean Connors
—————
Jordan Waters
—————
Ronnie Rivers
151243.4
Kyren Williams: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 1 recorded games in 2026

Wk 114 touches
Blake Corum: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 1 recorded games in 2026

Wk 110 touches
Ronnie Rivers: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 1 recorded games in 2026

Wk 16 touches

Totals include all teams played for that season. Per-game averages use games with recorded stats. Source: nflverse player statistics.

Evidence behind the backfield analysis

Compare your next bench move

A handcuff is an opportunity to hold, not a projected starter for this week. Compare the room with other teams, then choose a game window that fits your league’s rules.

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