Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams was one of the hottest fantasy football players to start the 2024 season.
Williams, the third-year back out of Notre Dame, surpassed 14 points (PPR scoring) in each of his first seven games and went for more than 20 in three games.
But since then, Williams’ production hasn’t been the same. He’s been held under 12 points in each of his last four games, rushing for just one touchdown.
With the Rams battling for a playoff spot and an NFC West title, one would expect Williams to be playing his most productive football. But he hasn’t been.
Why is that?
Well, part of it has to do with what has changed in the Rams’ offense throughout the season. Star wideouts Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua spent several weeks on injured reserve in the early portion of the season, forcing Los Angeles to utilize Williams and the run game more.
Kupp and Nacua both returned to the Rams’ starting lineup against the Vikings on Oct. 24. Since then, Nacua has gone over 100 receiving yards three times, while Kupp has done so twice.
Williams’ usage has gone down recently with the Rams’ increased volume through the air.
He is averaging just 15.3 rushes per game in LA’s last three contests. Williams has averaged more than four yards per carry in three of his last four games, but he’s simply getting the ball as much as he was.
Williams also hasn’t been the same checkdown threat lately. The running back hasn’t gotten a target in the Rams’ last two games and has logged multiple catches just once in the last four games.
Will this trend continue?
Kupp and Nacua will certainly continue to be key pieces in the Rams’ offense. But Williams should get plenty of work against the Saints, too, on Sunday.
The Saints have a bottom-10 run defense in the NFL, allowing 134.2 rushing yards per game. They’re also in the bottom half of the league in points allowed per game (23.6).
It’s fair to assume that Williams might not be the touchdown machine that he was early in the year, when he went for 10 total touchdowns in seven games. But Williams still has fantasy value in a plus matchup against New Orleans.
