Corum's 2021 film and, to an extent, his 2022 film are worlds different than his 2023 game film. In his second season at Michigan, he was an explosive runner with juice for days. A downhill pinball that excelled with vision, strong leg drive, decisiveness, and creativity in the second level. Corum's burst was solid, and he displayed the ability to jump cut at will, create broken tackles, and change the angles for incoming defenders. While his long speed has never been fantastic (numerous runs where he was caught from behind), his immediate burst and vision would propel him into the second level in the blink of an eye. This all takes us to 2023 when it has been rumored that he had dealt with injuries for much of the season. The decisiveness, immediate downhill running style, strong vision, and patience allowing his blocks to set up in front of him were all there. The problem is that his burst was compromised, and on many runs, he was simply getting what was blocked. Corum didn't display the nibbles of a decent second gear that he had in 2021-2022. He still maximized his abilities with good footwork and vision, but the ability to create extra yards on his own was absent. In nine of his 15 games played in 2023, Corum failed to generate more than two missed tackles forced or at least 2.4 yards after contact per attempt. If he can regain more of his former burst, Corum could handle the early down role for a committee backfield in the NFL. Corum is a functional checkdown option in the passing game only. He should garner some passing down snaps in the NFL based on his pass-blocking ability, not so much his route-running chops. Corum didn't allow any sacks at Michigan while giving up only three hurries in 111 pass-blocking snaps. Dynasty Outlook: Corum arrives in Los Angeles, where he'll split early down work with Kyren Williams. Corum's third-round draft capital and a depth chart that only has Ronnie Rivers and Zach Evans sitting behind Williams should ensure his immediate installment as the RB2 for the Rams. The big worry for anyone rostering Wiliams is, "How much will Corum eat into Williams' work?" Well, we'll see how much of that pie Corum can spoon onto his plate, but I think Williams will retain a large portion of his early down role and nearly all of the pass game work. Last year, Williams was immensely effective as a rusher. Among 49 qualifying backs, he ranked 26th in explosive run rate, 18th in missed tackles forced per attempt, and 20th in yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). Corum could turn into a thorn in his side, but I think Williams retains at least 60-65% of the work with plenty of upside for 70%-plus. Williams isn't a free agent until 2026, so Corum will have to bide his time before possibly taking over. This outlook dims the hope beacon for Corum stans without even mentioning his injury history and his declining efficiency metrics over the last three years of his collegiate career. The Corum conversation for Dynasty GMs begins in the late second round of rookie drafts and continues into the early/mid-third round.
by in FantasyMay 3, 2024