How the Los Angeles Rams Should Utilize Blake Corum in His Second Year: Strategies for 2025 Success
As the Los Angeles Rams prepare for the 2025 NFL season, one of the most intriguing storylines surrounds the development and deployment of running back Blake Corum, who enters his second year with the team. Selected in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Michigan, Corum arrived with a decorated collegiate resume, including a national championship and a record-setting 58 rushing touchdowns for the Wolverines. However, his rookie season was marked by limited opportunities behind Pro Bowl running back Kyren Williams, culminating in a season-ending forearm injury in Week 18. With a full offseason to recover and refine his skills, the Rams have a golden opportunity to integrate Corum more effectively into their offensive scheme in 2025. This article explores how the Rams should utilize Blake Corum in his sophomore campaign to maximize his potential and enhance the team’s overall performance.
Optimizing Blake Corum: A Foundation to Build Upon
Blake Corum’s rookie season was a tale of untapped potential. Playing in all 17 regular-season games, he recorded just 58 carries for 207 yards, averaging 3.6 yards per carry, with no touchdowns. His limited usage was largely due to the dominance of Kyren Williams, who solidified his role as the Rams’ RB1 with 1,299 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns in 2024. Corum’s opportunities were further curtailed by a fractured forearm suffered in his first career start against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 18, which sidelined him for the postseason.
Despite the modest stat line, Corum showed flashes of the explosiveness and vision that made him a star at Michigan. His 44-yard kickoff return against the New England Patriots highlighted his speed and playmaking ability, while his patient, decisive running style yielded a 12-yard burst against the Buffalo Bills. These moments suggest that Corum’s skill set—marked by elusiveness, tackle-breaking ability, and short-area quickness—can translate to the NFL level with the right opportunities.
The Rams’ reluctance to rotate Corum into the lineup more frequently in 2024 drew criticism, especially given Williams’ injury history and occasional struggles with ball security (eight fumbles over the past two seasons). General Manager Les Snead has acknowledged that Corum was drafted to prevent “totally running down” Williams, yet the team leaned heavily on their starter, with Williams logging 303 carries compared to Corum’s 58. Heading into 2025, the Rams must adjust their approach to ensure Corum becomes a meaningful contributor rather than a luxury backup.
Defining Corum’s Role: A Complementary Weapon
The Rams’ offensive identity under head coach Sean McVay has historically revolved around a dynamic passing game, but the resurgence of their rushing attack in recent years—driven by Williams—has added a new dimension. With Corum in the fold, the team has the chance to evolve into a more balanced and versatile unit. Rather than viewing Corum as a direct competitor to Williams, the Rams should deploy him as a complementary piece, creating a two-headed monster in the backfield.
1. Establishing a Rotational Backfield
Kyren Williams’ breakout 2023 season (1,144 yards, 12 touchdowns) and his encore in 2024 underscore his value as the Rams’ lead back. However, his workload—averaging 22 touches per game in 2024—raises concerns about long-term durability, especially given his past ankle, hand, and foot injuries. Corum, at 5’8” and 205 pounds, brings a similar compact, physical running style, making him an ideal candidate to spell Williams and keep him fresh for the season’s critical stretch.
A target of 10-12 touches per game for Corum—split between 8-10 carries and 2-3 receptions—would allow the Rams to reduce Williams’ carries to a more sustainable 15-18 per game. This rotation could mirror successful backfield tandems like the Detroit Lions’ Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, who combined for over 2,000 rushing yards in 2024 by sharing the load. For the Rams, a 60-40 or 65-35 split favoring Williams would maintain his primacy while giving Corum enough reps to develop and impact games.
2. Leveraging Corum in Specific Situations
Corum’s college production (27 rushing touchdowns in 2023 alone) points to his knack for finding the end zone, an area where the Rams can exploit his skills. While Williams excels as an every-down back, Corum could become the go-to option in short-yardage and goal-line situations. His low center of gravity and ability to power through contact make him a natural fit for these high-leverage plays. In 2024, the Rams converted 55% of their goal-line rushes, a middling figure that Corum could improve with his proven scoring prowess.
Additionally, Corum’s experience as a kickoff returner—highlighted by his 44-yard return—offers value under the NFL’s new kickoff rules, which encourage more returns. Pairing this role with offensive snaps would maximize his impact without overtaxing Williams, who also serves as the team’s punt returner.
3. Expanding His Role in the Passing Game
Though Corum caught just 27 passes over his final two college seasons, his 7 receptions for 58 yards in 2024 suggest untapped potential as a receiving threat. Williams, by contrast, caught 32 passes in 12 games in 2023, showcasing his third-down reliability. The Rams should invest in Corum’s development as a pass-catcher, using him on screens, check-downs, and swing routes to exploit his agility in space. Improving his pass protection—a noted weakness from his pre-draft scouting reports—will also be key to earning McVay’s trust and securing more snaps in passing situations.
Tactical Integration: Scheme and Play Design
Sean McVay’s offense thrives on versatility, and Corum’s skill set aligns well with the Rams’ wide-zone and duo running schemes. His success at Michigan in a pro-style system suggests he can adapt to the NFL’s complexities, but the Rams must tailor their play-calling to highlight his strengths.
1. Duo and Inside Zone Runs
While Corum thrived in Michigan’s gap-heavy scheme, his quick feet and vision make him effective in the Rams’ duo and inside zone concepts. Posts on X from draft season noted that Corum “really thrives in a duo scheme,” a sentiment echoed by analysts who praised his ability to read blocks and burst through tight windows. Pairing him with an improved interior offensive line—bolstered by 2024 additions like Jonah Jackson—could unlock his potential for chunk plays, addressing Williams’ relative lack of breakaway speed (11.2% breakaway percentage in 2024, per PFF).
2. Two-Back Formations
To get both Williams and Corum on the field simultaneously, the Rams could experiment with two-back sets. Imagine a pony package with Williams and Corum in the backfield, creating mismatches against linebackers and safeties. McVay could motion one back out wide or use them as decoys to open up passing lanes for Matthew Stafford (or a successor, depending on Stafford’s status). This approach would echo McVay’s Super Bowl-winning 2021 season when he employed a committee with Sony Michel and Darrell Henderson.
3. Red Zone Packages
Corum’s scoring instincts demand a prominent role in the red zone. The Rams could design packages featuring jet sweeps, read options, or direct snaps to Corum, leveraging his elusiveness to create space near the goal line. His 24 runs of 20-plus yards over his final two Michigan seasons hint at a big-play ability that could elevate the Rams’ 43 runs of 10-plus yards in 2023 (tied for 24th in the NFL).
Long-Term Vision: Building for 2025 and Beyond
Corum’s second year isn’t just about immediate contributions—it’s about positioning him as a cornerstone of the Rams’ future. With Williams entering a contract year in 2025, the team faces decisions about his extension, especially given his fumbling issues (four in 2024 alone). Corum, under contract through 2027, represents cost-controlled talent with an upside. A strong sophomore season could make him a viable RB1 candidate if Williams departs after 2025 or an elite RB2 in a shared backfield.
To achieve this, the Rams must prioritize Corum’s development in training camp and the preseason. Increased reps with the first-team offense, targeted coaching on pass protection, and a clear role in the game plan will build his confidence and chemistry with Stafford and the offensive line. If Williams stays healthy and productive, Corum’s ceiling might be 600-800 rushing yards and 6-8 touchdowns in 2025—a significant leap from his rookie output. Should Williams miss time, Corum could push for 1,000 yards, emulating Williams’ own second-year jump.
Unleashing the Potential
Blake Corum’s rookie season was a tease of what he could become, constrained by circumstance and opportunity. In his second year, the Los Angeles Rams have a chance to rectify that by integrating him as a rotational playmaker, situational specialist, and long-term investment. By balancing Williams’ workload, exploiting Corum’s scoring ability, and expanding his versatility, the Rams can elevate their offense while grooming a potential star. The 2025 season—beginning in September—offers a fresh canvas for Corum to paint his NFL legacy, and the Rams would be wise to hand him the brush.
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