From Doug Farrar, The NFL’s 101 best players for the 2025 season: 80-71: https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/1075393/the-nfls-101-best-players-for-the-2025-season-80-71

78. Kyren Williams, RB, Los Angeles Rams

Over the last two seasons, Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams have completely changed their modus operandi when it comes to the run game. In 2021, the Rams led the NFL with 215 inside zone runs. But by the time 2023 and 2024 rolled around, McVay was calling more rushing attempts with man blocking than any other NFL shot-caller – 205 in 2023, and 189 in 2024. Kyren Williams, selected in the fifth round of the 2022 draft out of Notre Dame, has been a major reason why.

Williams got just 35 rushing attempts in his rookie season for 139 yards in his rookie season, but in 2023, he busted out with 241 attempts for 1,203 yards and 12 rushing touchdowns. Last season, he made it abundantly clear that he was here to stay, with 351 carries for 1,481 yards and 14 rushing scores, adding 38 catches on 42 targets for 197 yards and three touchdowns in the passing game.

Williams is perfectly capable of running inside and outside zone when required, but in each of his last two seasons, it’s been more about straight bully-ball. Last season, out of straight Wham or Duo blocking concepts, no other back had more attempts (70) or yards (311), and when you expand that into other non-zone ideas, Williams has been as or more prolific than any other back in the league.

Kyren Williams beating up defenses with straight up man-blocking schemes in 2023. Williams was the NFL's most prolific back last season behind man concepts. pic.twitter.com/t5lziHVTtM

— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) July 23, 2024

Death, taxes, and Kyren Williams blowing up your defense with man blocking in front of him. pic.twitter.com/VAu9cEa4aT

— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) August 8, 2025

Williams also gained 716 zone yards (eighth-most in the NFL) on 177 carries (fifth-most in the NFL) with five touchdowns – so again, it’s not as if he’s limited to one thing. Williams just allows the Rams to do more of what they want to do in the run game at the highest possible level.

On August 5, the team made their appreciation of Williams’ efforts official with a three-year, $33 million contract extension including $23 million guaranteed. It ensures that Williams will continue to be the epicenter of one of the league’s most effective ground games.

from https://theramswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/rams/2025/08/19/rams-roster-moves-mcallister-thomas-williams/85733014007/

The team announced it placed edge rusher Keir Thomas on injured reserve and waived rookie wide receiver Mario Williams with an injury designation.

Gary Klein@LATimesklein
McVay said he was hopeful that LT Alaric Jackson would be available for the opener.

LAFB Network@LAFBNetwork
Stafford was a full participant today, going through all drills and team periods. Good sign

Stu Jackson@StuJRams
Rams continue to take things day-by-day with Matthew Stafford, but Sean McVay says QB is trending in “positive direction” after practicing two days in a row

Gary Klein@LATimesklein
McVay on Stafford: “I’ll be just like I think a lot of fans and a lot of his teammates and coaches, that you’re really hopeful that this is the direction … so we can build a good foundation and allow him to be the Matthew that we’re accustomed to seeing.”

Sarah Barshop@sarahbarshop
Sean McVay said he thought Matthew Stafford “looked good” at practice today.

“I thought he looked better than yesterday. I thought it was a step in the right direction. We’re going to continue to hope that he’s able to stack days and feel good. And it’s what’s happened so far.”

McVay called practices “positive progress” for Stafford but reiterated taking it a day at a time.

“The reality is we’re trying to get our hands on this and get him to feel as good as possible. Backs can be a volatile thing…but it certainly is trending in a positive direction.”

Wyatt Miller@wymill07
More from McVay on Stafford’s progress and how they’re handling the injury:

from https://theramswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/rams/2025/08/19/rams-preseason-backup-ol-has-been-dominant-in-pass-protection/85724896007/?taid=68a4ac6f9ebb270001b83174&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=trueanthem&utm_source=twitter

L.A. hasn’t played any starting offensive linemen and the Rams still rank No. 1 in Pro Football Focus’ pass blocking grade with 81.7 this preseason. The Minnesota Vikings trail them at 76.0.

Two Rams guards ranked among the five linemen with at least 87 blocking snaps who haven’t allowed a pressure this preseason, per PFF: Wyatt Bowles and Justin Dedich. Bowles is an undrafted player out of Utah State, while Dedich went undrafted out of USC in 2024 and started three games — all of which were wins.

from https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/12483/matthew-stafford

While it’s certainly encouraging to see Stafford back on the practice field for the first time since June minicamp, and taking part in team drills at that, McVay cautioned that the 37-year-old is still doing “everything in his power” to get back and called it a “very fluid situation that demands flexibility.” The Rams will take a cautious approach to ramping up Stafford’s activity level as he works his way back from a lingering disc injury in his back, so after he was at least a limited participant Monday it wouldn’t be surprising to see him get rest as the week continues. “It was great to be able to see [Stafford] out there today,” McVay said, “and we’ll see how this afternoon goes, and tomorrow.” Stafford still has nearly three weeks to get healthy in time for Week 1 against the Texans on Sunday, Sept. 7, but per Brock Vierra of SI.com, McVay declined to comment Monday on whether he still expects the veteran quarterback to be ready for the regular-season opener. DaSilva confirms that Stafford won’t be in consideration for Saturday’s preseason finale against the Browns, which is no surprise.

The 33rd Team@The33rdTeamFB
Rams G Wyatt Bowles has yet to allow a pressure on 62 pass protection snaps this preseason 🛡️

Bowles, a UDFA out of Utah State, allowed 30 pressures and 3 sacks across 790 pass block snaps in his final two collegiate seasons

from https://www.si.com/nfl/rams/los-angeles-sean-mcvay-matthew-stafford-alaric-jackson-terrance-ferguson

McVay was brief about Stafford’s future

“It was good to be able to have Matthew out there. He did a good job today,” McVay said. “I think there was a lot of intended information, but there’s no updates. We’re going to keep it a day, and really, a week at a time. But it’s great to be able to see him out there today, and we’ll see how this afternoon goes and tomorrow.”

McVay would double down on his “day at a time” stance, making it clear that those words were the official stance of the team. McVay would not comment if Stafford would play week one as they continue to take a slow and cautious approach with their QB1.

It should be noted that McVay has offered timelines and has been honest with reporters throughout this whole process, but it seems that as soon as he gives an update, the situation changes, and considering we only get daily reports, reports handed out before Stafford is able to go through those afternoon evaluations, it’s understandable for McVay to take this position considering recent events.

“I thought he did a good job today,” stated McVay on Stafford’s performance. “We had 26 plays of team and he did a really nice job of managing the huddle. I thought he saw the field well, I thought he went where the ball should go, and there was some good, competitive work on both sides today.”

Who are going to be the 5th and 6th receivers?

The top 4 are Nacua, Adams, Atwell, and Whittington.

Here are the receivers who caught passes Saturday? (And several looked great doing it btw). Alphabetical order:

Britain Covey
Tru Edwards
Konata Mumpfield
Brennan Presley
Xavier Smith
Drake Stoops
Mario Williams

FWIW, only Edwards is a tall guy–6’2. He caught the game winning TD. Mumpfield is 5’11. The rest are 5’9 or 5’8. Edwards btw is the son of a former receiver for the Steelers, Troy Edwards.

The standouts (in no particular order) were Edwards, Mumpfield, Presley, Smith, and Williams.

Covey, Smith, and Williams are also returners, so that’s a factor. So btw is Schrader.

9. Holtsós is a magical place in Iceland where a green field, a yellow river, a black beach, and the ocean meet. pic.twitter.com/1jdKLFeb8u

— James Lucas (@JamesLucasIT) August 17, 2025

from https://ramblinfan.com/4-los-angeles-rams-players-show-up-among-nfl-preseason-leaders-you-never-saw-coming

The depth and quality of talent on the Rams roster continues to shine, backing up what’s been said all along. Unlike some teams, the Rams only use the preseason to evaluate players who aren’t starters or primary backups. Even so, their depth players have proven to be among the NFL’s top preseason performers.

strike!!!

nice pass pro by line 7-man protection with back leaking out late
and a money throw vs Cov-3 buzz pic.twitter.com/9MDferMTea

— Jim Youngblood 53 (@53_jim70721) August 17, 2025

full speed — in-out-in
made CB think "corner" but pic.twitter.com/Suz0cd3Yju

— Jim Youngblood 53 (@53_jim70721) August 17, 2025

Delivering to an endzone near you. 📬 pic.twitter.com/mjQqtUwbvo

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) August 17, 2025

Hey, throw a pick, get your nose in their to make a tackle Stetson Bennett takes two shots … but no big deal — leads Rams to preseason win anyway pic.twitter.com/mwEaeJUIjT

— Jim Youngblood 53 (@53_jim70721) August 17, 2025

from https://theramswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/rams/2025/08/17/rams-pff-grades-chargers-preseason-best-worst-players/85700618007/

Rams PFF grades: Top 5 offense

OL KT Leveston: 89.8
OL Justin Dedich: 85.5
WR Xavier Smith: 76.3
WR Mario Williams: 73.9
WR Brennan Presley: 72.9

Leveston allowed one pressure, which was a QB hit, but he was excellent in the run game. He had a team-high 93.6 run-blocking grade.

Dedich allowed zero pressures and also had an 81.1 run-blocking grade.

A trio of receivers was also among the Rams’ top players, which should be no surprise based on the big plays each guy made.

Rams PFF grades: Top 5 defense

OLB Keir Thomas: 90.2
DT Desjuan Johnson: 85.1
DT Jack Heflin: 78.0
LB Elias Neal: 77.4
CB A.J. Green III: 75.4

Thomas had one pressure in the win and also had a tackle, continuing to play well this preseason in limited action.

Johnson had a total of five pressures, two more than any other Rams player. It was a great performance by the former seventh-rounder.

Heflin stood out against the run with a 76.8 run-defense grade, as did Neal with his team-high 79.4 grade in that department.

Green’s coverage was outstanding, allowing just one catch on five targets with two pass breakups.