Blake Corum

I have my worries about Corum, but the Rams investing third-round draft capital in him was interesting. Corum's yards after contact per attempt, breakaway percentage, and elusive ratings fell in each of his final three collegiate seasons (per PFF). That's not exactly the trend line that you want to have entering the NFL, but the Rams' third-round investment in the Michigan product is a decent vote of confidence that Corum can possibly get back to his 2021 form (24th in yards after contact per attempt per PFF). I doubt Corum is taking passing down snaps away from Kyren Williams, but he could help spell him on early downs and salt away the clock late in games. Corum is a high-end handcuff only right now.

Blake Corum had his best season to date in 2023, as he aided in Michigan's championship run as the focal point of the team's offensive rushing attack. The 5-foot-8 and 205-pound rusher posted a 33% dominator rating in his final season with the Wolverines rushing for 1,245 yards and 27 touchdowns. He recorded the third-highest dominator rating among RBs in 2023.
His breakout year came in 2021, demonstrating his potential as a leading rusher - 944 rushing yards and 11 TDs, which was good for a 19% dominator rating and set the stage for an even more impressive 2022 season. That year, Corum rushed for over 1,400 yards with 18 touchdowns en route to a 27% dominator rating.
Corum improved every single season to tie a bow on his college career with a 23% dominator rating - a near top-five mark in his RB class. He showed talent at an early age after splitting time as a true freshman with future NFL RBs Hassan Haskins and Zach Charbonnet.
He also overcame 2022 knee surgery, which didn't stop him from a monster 2023 campaign (even if he was slightly less efficient).
Corum was super productive as a rusher all three seasons as the featured weapon, which is further highlighted by his 3.09 yards per snap on offense. One of just six players in the class to crest the 3.00 yards per snap/play threshold.
Yards per play is a great indicator of future success with recent late-round standouts in that category over the past three years including Keaton Mitchell, Tyjae Spears, Elijah Mitchell, Rhamondre Stevenson, Rachaad White and Tyler Allgeier. This metric also confirmed the status of last year's first-rounders Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson, both of whom graded positively in that category.
Corum's draft stock will likely be based on how teams feel about his knee and whether that sapped his explosiveness for the long term. His explosive rushes were down substantially in 2023 compared to 2022. The 2022 season before his injury was by far his best from an advanced rushing metrics standpoint, given that he ranked first in PFF rushing (96.2), eighth in breakaway runs and 10th in missed tackles forced.
Still, it's hard to argue he can't be a featured back at the next level given his 250+ touches against some of the best defenses college football has to offer the last two seasons. When watching Corum, the RBs that instantly came to mind are Sony Michel, Cam Akers and Joe Mixon.
At the 2024 Scouting Combine, Corum flashed his short-area quickness with a 6.82 3-cone drill - the second-best mark in the class (89th percentile). Simply put, his vision is one of the best in the class. He does what is asked through all facets and NFL coaches will love that about Corum, especially coming from a decorated college football powerhouse.
Rams HC coach Sean McVay linked Corum's game and style to Kyren Williams, and they selected him in the 3rd round as a result. I don't think this denounces Williams as the RB1 in LA, but it gives McVay another option in case Williams suffers another injury. He's gotten hurt both years he has played in the NFL. Last year, the Rams went right back to him, with nobody else worth much on the depth chart. Corum changes that equation substantially. He is a do-it-all RB, similar to Williams, even if neither are super explosive athletes.