NFL Draft grades for Michigan RB Blake Corum to Los Angeles Rams
Legendary Michigan Wolverines football running back Blake Corum heard his name called in the 2024 NFL Draft, with the Los Angeles Rams selecting him with the No. 83 overall pick in the third round. Corum is the Wolverines’ all-time leader with 61 total touchdowns in his career and is now set to compete with Kyren Williams in the Rams’ backfield.
Because of Williams’ presence — he recorded 1,144 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground last season — Corum’s pick was met with some mixed reviews by draft graders. Here’s a roundup of how they scored Corum to the Rams.
Nick Baumgardner and Scott Dochterman, The Athletic: A
“Built like a bowling ball, Corum (5-7, 205) is strong, tough and durable,” the writers said. “He attacks the hole with incredible quickness and power that belies his frame. Corum set the Michigan single-season touchdown mark in 2023 with 27 scores and holds the Wolverines’ career touchdown record with 58. He will provide a nastiness to the Rams’ run game.”
Brent Sobleski, Bleacher Report: B+
“Although running back Kyren Williams broke out last season, the Los Angeles Rams still decided to select Corum in the third round,” Sobleski wrote. “That’s how much they must have liked him.
“The one-two punch that the Rams now feature in the backfield can take pressure off quarterback Matthew Stafford and keep him protected. Considering how well the Rams’ wide receivers block, the combo of Williams and Corum can be truly special.”
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA Today: B
“Corum ends up with an NFL franchise … just not the one everyone expected,” Middlehurst-Schwartz wrote. “Corum might not see the workload in Year 1 that he would have had he reteamed with Harbaugh on the Chargers, but he’ll at least share carries with Kyren Williams”
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: B-
“The Rams were in the market for a better backup to Kyren Williams to give them some more change-of-pace juice and still developing receiving skills,” Iyer wrote. “Corum will see calculated work behind Williams’ workhorse.”
Yahoo Sports: C+
“Corum is a good player, no doubt, but this feels like a weird fit with what Kyren Williams brought to the team last season,” the site wrote. “Still, a 1-2 punch with Williams and Corum behind a revamped offensive line might rake for the Rams.”
Joseph Acosta, SB Nation: C+
“Look man, Corum has nice vision and can play between the tackles,” Acosta wrote. “But his skillset is very similar to Kyren Williams and the backfield still lacks true speed. The wear and tear on his body will come up, but the hope is he can be a solid second guy to Williams.”
Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports: C+
“Stocky, contact-balance type with good, not great elusiveness,” Trapasso wrote. “Speed is limited. But such great vision amongst the trees and hides behind them at times. Impressive lower-half power. Useful in the screen game too. Similar to Kyren Williams, actually.”
