how many knew this about Kyren Wms.

First, some set up. KW has missed time (including going out of the Lions game). So he is probably not going to carry the load by himself in a 17 or more game season. They needed a 1A and 1B back system…and no one else they already had was a true 1B starting caliber back. So they took Corum.

Everyone knows that but I am  just building up to the point I want to make.

Anyway I’ve seen it said that they didn’t need to use a 3 to get another RB. But truth is if you want a productive starting caliber back, the odds of finding one go way down after round 3.

In fact–and this is the point I’m building up to–in the entire Rams history going back every season, they have drafted a true 1A or 1B starting caliber back after round 3 only one time. Once, in their entire history. And that was Williams in 2022.

The way to search this is to go to Pro Football Reference. Hit “draft.” Under “draft,” find the Rams. Hit “Rams.” When you’re in there, hit “position.” Scroll down to RB. You then see every RB they ever drafted.

Voila:

I don’t count Delpino, Guman, Jodat, or Stacy as franchise backs. They were back-ups and/or role players.

One who technically qualifies jut in terms of total yards was Gerry Ellis, drafted round 7, 1980. But first off he never had a season with more than 800-something yards (he averaged around 570 a seaon) plus while he was initially drafted by the Rams, he mostly played fullback, and exclusively for Green Bay, who picked him up at the start of the 1980 season after the Rams cut him.

So by my count they drafted 47 backs after round 3, and of those the only actual franchise-caliber back that played for them was Williams. That’s a hit rate of 2%.