WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. – As the Rams learned last season, good things happen when the ball is put in running back Kyren Williams' hands, whether that be as a runner or pass-catcher.
In an effort to further maximize Williams' touches, Los Angeles will have him serve as its punt returner for the 2024 season.
"Being who I am, like you just said, I get to make more plays," Williams said after Wednesday's practice. "And so I feel like that's just gonna be able to show everybody else what more I can do in this game of football, being able to play a lot of green grass and have a lot of space and get good blocks from my jammers up front, get those punts started. But I'm excited to just to be able to show another phase of football that I can play."
"It's another opportunity for him to get touches and impact the game," McVay said Tuesday. "You feel comfortable with that because of the confidence in Blake Corum and Ronnie Rivers being able to spell him if need be."
Williams said putting him punt returner was a coach's decision. He recalled McVay telling him at the beginning of training camp to make sure he's catching punts, so he knew there was a chance he'd be in that role. When that formalized with the initial 53-man roster, he wasn't surprised.
Between those reps in camp and his background as a baseball player, tracking a ball in the air isn't a new experience for him. Nor is returning punts.
He had 14 of them in college that went for a total of 151 yards, good for just over 10 yards per return. All of those attempts came during his final collegiate season.
"I have some experience in the NFL as well doing it," Williams said. "I'm excited to be able to make more plays."
According to the NFL's Next Gen Stats, Williams' +15.5 Rush Expected Points Added (EPA) – defined as a metric that "quantifies the net value a ball carrier adds on run plays by translating yards gained into points scored" – ranked fourth among qualified rushers last season. Meanwhile, his 729 Rushing Yards After Contact was 11th-most among qualified rushers last season. Combined with his background as a running back and former wide receiver and what he put on tape last season, there is translatable evidence that he could be effective returning punts.
"Anytime you can put the ball in a playmaker's hands, you're going to be happy about it," offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur said. "So if 23 is touching the ball, it's good for the Rams."
