Dolphins Acquire Running Back Jarquez Hunter From Rams
The Miami Dolphins are acquiring running back Jarquez Hunter from the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday in exchange for wide receiver Tutu Atwell, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Hunter was selected 117th overall in the fourth round in the 2025 NFL draft by the Rams out of Auburn, but he did not see any usage on offense during his first year in the league. The 23-year-old also saw limited action on special teams. Hunter showed good burst and speed out of the backfield in college, but he has never been much of an asset on passing downs, which will limit his long-term upside with his move to South Beach. In Miami, he will not have much of a clearer path to touches in 2026, as he'll likely be the Dolphins' No. 4 option behind starter De'Von Achane, Jaylen Wright, and Ollie Gordon II (ribs). Hunter will now have to learn a new offense with time running out before the start of the regular season. At best, he is a dynasty/keeper stash for RB depth. Hunter can be ignored in single-year fantasy leagues.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Kyren Williams' Workload Ceiling Takes a Hit
Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams remains the lead option in a high-powered offense, but Blake Corum's continued rise puts some pressure on his 2026 workload ceiling. Williams started all 17 games last season and rushed 259 times for 1,252 yards and 10 touchdowns, adding 36 catches for 281 yards and three more scores. Corum became more involved late in 2025 and carried that momentum into camp, where the Rams repeatedly highlighted his improved explosiveness and agility. He was again one of the offensive standouts during the team's final open practice. Williams still produced at an RB1 level as Corum's role grew, finishing as the RB10 over the final six weeks while Corum was RB17 during that stretch. He also remains the better receiving option and continues to work with Matthew Stafford and the first-team offense. The concern is not that Williams has lost the backfield. It is that another season near 300 touches looks harder to project with Corum earning more work. RotoBaller currently ranks Williams RB13, keeping him firmly in fantasy-starter territory, but with a little more workload risk than before.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jarquez Hunter Looks Good Against Saints
Los Angeles Rams running back Jarquez Hunter carried 12 times for 68 yards and a touchdown in the Rams' dominant 34-0 preseason win over the New Orleans Saints. Hunter had a heavy workload Saturday, playing 28 of 50 snaps with the starting offense, while rookie Jordan Waters played 19 of those. The 2025 fourth-round pick did not record a carry during his rookie season and appears to be in a timeshare with Waters, who was also efficient Saturday. Both backs will operate behind starters Kyren Williams and Blake Corum in 2026. Hunter carries minimal fantasy value and should not be rostered in any redraft formats this season.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Blake Corum Has Standalone Value at a Backup Price
Los Angeles Rams running back Blake Corum doesn't need a Kyren Williams injury to have a place in redraft lineups. Corum ran 145 times for 746 yards and six touchdowns last season, averaging 5.1 yards per carry while playing 30.5% of the offensive snaps. His role grew as the year went along, and that two-back setup worked well enough for Los Angeles to keep leaning on it. Corum has carried that momentum into camp, where the Rams have noted the extra speed and agility he worked on during the offseason. Williams is still the starter and remains the better receiving option after catching 36 passes to Corum's eight last year. That keeps Corum from having the same weekly floor. The rushing work is already there, though. RotoBaller's Aug. 22 breakout analysis lists Corum at an ADP of 101 and points to his standalone value in one of the league's best offenses. That's a good range for a back who can contribute without an injury and would see his value jump if Williams ever missed time.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Blake Corum Listed as Backup on Unofficial Depth Chart
Los Angeles Rams running back Blake Corum was listed as the backup to Kyren Williams on the team's unofficial preseason depth chart. Corum had a strong second season in 2025, totaling 746 rushing yards and six touchdowns in 17 games, while adding only 36 receiving yards on eight catches. Although Corum and Williams split work late last season, the team left the veteran back as the RB1, with Corum as the RB2. While the unofficial depth chart isn't a definitive indicator of the team's backfield plans, it does support the Rams' belief in Williams, who recorded over 1,500 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2025. Corum is currently ranked RB32 in RotoBaller's positional rankings, which may be too high a price if he sees a workload similar to last season.
Source: Los Angeles Rams
Source: Los Angeles Rams
Jarquez Hunter Leads Backfield in Touches on Saturday
Los Angeles Rams running back Jarquez Hunter rushed for 35 yards on nine carries during Saturday's preseason contest against the Kansas City Chiefs. On the one hand, it was encouraging to see Hunter lead the Rams in touches. On the other hand, a running back on the roster bubble probably needs to average more than 3.9 yards per carry in the first week of the preseason, especially if they're not going to contribute as a receiver. The 2025 fourth-round pick did not register an offensive snap as a rookie last year, and now he's already at risk of losing his roster spot to someone like Ronnie Rivers or Dean Connors. As it stands, Hunter has fallen to RB87 in RotoBaller's latest dynasty fantasy football rankings. Even if he doesn't get cut by the Rams at the end of training camp, Hunter can be dumped to waivers in most fantasy leagues.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Dean Connors Shines as Receiver in Pro Debut
Los Angeles Rams running back Dean Connors rushed for 22 yards on six carries during Saturday's preseason contest against the Kansas City Chiefs. He also caught all four of his targets for an additional 29 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns. Throughout his collegiate career at Rice and Houston, Connors' top trait was his ability to catch passes and produce as a receiver. Over his last three NCAA seasons, he had a whopping 139 catches, 1,142 receiving yards, and eight touchdowns. He had at least 1,000 scrimmage yards in each of those three seasons, and he totaled 30 touchdowns during that span. While Connors may not be the most efficient runner, the undrafted free agent may be able to sneak onto the back end of the Rams' roster because of his pass-catching skills. Ronnie Rivers and Jarquez Hunter represent his biggest competition for the No. 3 running back role behind Kyren Williams and Blake Corum.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kyren Williams Still Boasts RB1 Upside Despite Falling Draft Cost
Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams has been a top nine fantasy finisher in each of the past three seasons, but even with the Rams having the league's highest projected scoring total for 2026, he is currently being drafted as the RB12, routinely falling out of the second round. Concerns of Blake Corum's late-season emergence have created a worst-case timeshare scenario in many drafters' minds, seemingly overlooking the fact that as Corum came on as the RB17 over the final six weeks of 2025, Williams still saw featured back usage and finished as the RB10 over the same stretch. Williams could see a dip in total touches, but as the superior receiver and more efficient goal-line back, he should retain his most valuable work, and he remains one of the league's safest bets to reach a double-digit touchdown floor. Yet to turn 26, Williams still has obvious RB1 upside but is often available closer to an RB2 price point.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Blake Corum's Intense Offseason Workouts Go Viral
Los Angeles Rams running back Blake Corum pushed his body "in ways he never had before" this offseason, according to Nate Atkins of The Athletic. The third-year back will still be sharing the backfield with Kyren Williams, but the Rams are pretty excited about how he can continue to help their offense in 2026. "I did see a couple of those videos," head coach Sean McVay said, "and they look cool as s--. It's impressive. I want to see him make people miss like that in the hole." Williams has already noticed that Corum looks "a lot leaner" and "a lot more explosive." The 25-year-old former third-rounder from Michigan is looking to take the next step after breaking out for 746 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 5.1 yards per carry in 2025 for the league's top-scoring offense. With added explosion in addition to his elite straight-line speed and sharp vision, Corum could become one of the best No. 2 backs in the NFL. Even with Williams seeing most of the early-down work in L.A., Corum will continue to have a key role in an explosive offense, which will make him a weekly RB3/flex with upside if anything were to happen to Williams.
Source: The Athletic - Nate Atkins
Source: The Athletic - Nate Atkins
Blake Corum Looking Leaner This Year
Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams noticed that backfield mate Blake Corum is looking fit in training camp this summer, according to Zach Edwards and Stu Jackson of the team's official website. "I would say he's a lot leaner for sure, he looks a lot more explosive," Williams said. The 25-year-old has shown plenty of explosiveness early in practices, and he's primed for a key role in the Rams' backfield alongside Williams yet again in 2026. The former third-rounder in 2024 from the University of Michigan saw his role increase significantly last year in L.A., carrying the ball 145 times for 746 yards (5.1 yards per carry) and six touchdowns while adding eight receptions for 36 yards in 17 regular-season games. Corum had only 58 carries for 207 yards and zero touchdowns as a rookie. Corum's lack of receiving upside hurts his overall ceiling in fantasy, but he should at least be considered a nice RB3/flex as he heads into his third year in the league. And if Williams were to go down with an injury, Corum would become a weekly must-start in fantasy lineups.
Source: TheRams.com - Zach Edwards and Stu Jackson
Source: TheRams.com - Zach Edwards and Stu Jackson
Blake Corum Carving Out a Role in Rams Backfield
Los Angeles Rams running back Blake Corum is pushing for carries alongside Kyren Williams, according to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated. Breer noted that Corum is seeing the game faster and looks capable of adding more big-play ability to the Rams' physical rushing attack. That assessment tracks with the jump Corum made in 2025. He rushed 145 times for 746 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 5.1 yards per carry, and 15.9% of his attempts gained at least 10 yards. That explosive-run rate ranked second among players with at least 100 carries, while his 49.7% success rate ranked third among qualified running backs. Williams remains the lead option after handling 259 carries for 1,252 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns last season, so Breer's report does not signal a changing backfield hierarchy. It does, however, reinforce Corum's place as a meaningful complement who can earn touches without Williams leaving the field entirely. Corum remains a valuable insurance back with a chance to provide some standalone production if the Rams expand his weekly workload.
Source: Sports Illustrated
Source: Sports Illustrated
Kyren Williams to See More Involvement as a Pass-Catcher?
Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams' ability to impact the game as a pass-catcher is a "wrinkle (the team) could tap into more" this season, speculates Nate Atkins of The Athletic. Atkins notes that Los Angeles has relied on Williams' pass-protection abilities in the past, but that its shift to bigger personnel groupings could allow Williams to play more as a pass-catcher in 2026. The 25-year-old has recorded at least 1,350 scrimmage yards and 13 touchdowns in three straight campaigns, but he's never reached 300 receiving yards in a season. Thanks to the emergence of fellow Rams running back Blake Corum, Williams also saw his workload decrease from 19.8 touches per game in 2024 to 15.2 touches per game in 2025. If Williams does indeed see more usage as a receiver, it could help offset a potential regression in his fantasy production due to the split backfield in Los Angeles.
Source: The Athletic - Nate Atkins
Source: The Athletic - Nate Atkins
Kyren Williams Believes Reaching 1,000 Yards is "Kind of Easy" in Rams Offense
Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams is one of only four backs to rush for 1,000 yards in each of the past three seasons, and while he takes pride in the accomplishment, to hear him tell it, it now seems more like an expectation than a yearly goal. In a recent appearance on the Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams, he shared how his mindset has changed since entering the league with the simple goal of a 1,000-yard season. "As a running back, if you know what you're doing running the ball, 1,000 yards should be fairly kind of easy. But that also comes with the great linemen that we have and the great offensive-minded coach that we have, as well, that allows me to be able to do those types of things." He added, "That's something I strive for. That's something I hold true to myself that I've got to continue to get those positive yards, those efficient yards. When I look back at the season, I expect to see 1,000 yards." Williams ran for 1,252 yards on his way to an RB9 finish in 2025, and while his own expectations have not changed, he's recently been faded by the draft community, falling to RB14 by current ADP as teammate Blake Corum continues to pick up steam, making him a potential steal with RB1 upside at an RB2 price.
Source: Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams
Source: Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams
Blake Corum to Be a "Big Factor" in Rams Offense
When asked about his expectations for running back Blake Corum ahead of the team's first week of training camp, Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay was effusive in his praise of the third-year runner. He spoke of Corum's steady nature, which allowed him to overcome some adverse injury situations as a rookie before breaking out as a sophomore. Projecting forward, McVay told the gathered media, "The way that he approaches it, I'd be surprised if doesn't do anything other than get better and impact the team in a positive way," before putting a point on the topic by saying, "He's a stud, and he's gonna be a big factor in what we're gonna do this year." Corum displayed balance and explosiveness in 2025 as part of one of the league's best offenses, and he ran particularly hot in the touchdown department to end the year, scoring five times over the final six games of the season to pace as the RB17 over that stretch. Heading into his third year, he is RotoBaller's RB33 on standalone value alone, but has league-winning upside as a direct handcuff to Kyren Williams.
Source: The Coachspeak Index
Source: The Coachspeak Index
Kyren Williams Is a Dynasty Buy, Not a Redraft Bargain
Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams lost work to Blake Corum last season without losing his lead role. Williams finished with 1,252 rushing yards, 36 catches, and 13 total touchdowns on 295 touches, while Corum played 30.5% of the offensive snaps and handled 145 carries. The rotation helped keep Williams fresh. It also makes another 300-carry season hard to project. That makes the format matter. RotoBaller has Williams at RB16 in dynasty and RB14 in half-PPR redraft. The dynasty price is easier to buy. He is signed through 2028 and remains the more established scorer and receiver in one of the league's strongest offenses. Redraft is closer to fair value than a discount because Corum has earned weekly work. Williams still carries RB1 upside, but managers should buy the dynasty dip without pretending the committee risk disappeared.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
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