Kyren Williams has been a consistent source of production for fantasy football managers in each of the past three years and enters his age-26 season again atop the Rams’ depth chart. The upside may not be overwhelming, but the floor is impressive, and that has him priced as a third-round option in most leagues.
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Should You Draft Kyren Williams in Fantasy Football?
Williams has been about as rock-solid as it gets since the Rams handed him the keys to the backfield in 2023.
- Three straight seasons with 10+ rushing scores
- Three straight seasons with over 30 receptions
- One DNP over the past two years
- 4.6 yards per carry
He played a key role in Los Angeles’ playoff run last winter (four TDs in those three games with 253 yards of offense), and while the Blake Corum dynamic is annoying, this coaching staff showed their hand in the playoff win at Soldier Field, where Williams had 21 of the 27 RB carries and all five targets.
Corum is going to be involved—that much we know—but there’s a world in which that’s a net positive. In 2025, Williams carried the ball 57 fewer times than the year prior despite playing in only one fewer game, and guess what?
His yards per carry increased by 17.1%, and his Elusive Rating rebounded from a career worst to above his career norm.
Drafting Williams is all about expectations. Because he has a Robin in his backfield who will spell him for a series at a time, it’s hard to imagine him smashing his mid-to-late third-round ADP. He’s not the most explosive runner (not one of his 645 touches over the past two regular seasons has gained 35+ yards), and that means should he have a down-volume week, his point total is unlikely to be suitable.
But… he’s not going to bottom out. Not in 2026, at least. He’s at the peak of the age curve and featured within an offense returning the reigning MVP under center. His counting numbers have been near-mirror images of one another for each of the past three seasons, and the safety that comes with that projection should make you feel fine about drafting him at his current cost.
Also Read: 2026 Controversial Fantasy Football Running Back Depth Charts: Who To Draft In These Confusing Rooms
Personally, I like making him my RB2 as part of running-back-heavy builds. Maybe I drafted Ashton Jeanty in the first round or Chase Brown in the second—those are the types of teams where I get enticed by the stability Williams offers. Starting a draft with two of those three backs allows you to focus on pass-catchers for a handful of rounds, thanks to a nice mix of reliability and upside in your backfield.
As a nice little bonus, fantasy managers avoid the second Seattle meeting (Week 18) and get December matchups with the 49ers, Cowboys, and Buccaneers.
Williams’ Dynasty Fantasy Football Value
I’m not prioritizing Williams, but I do think most forget that he is just three months older than Corum. His deal extends through the 2028 season (with a potential out after next year), meaning he should control this backfield until he shows any signs of regression—something that very well might not occur until after this contract is up.
For dynasty purposes, I’m less worried about his talent or role and more worried about the state of the offense in the post-Matthew Stafford era. Ty Simpson will get this season to learn, though it’s unlikely we get to see much of his development as fans, leaving 2027 as something of an unknown when it comes to the viability of this offense.
A running back like Williams, who relies more than the average player on scoring, is at risk of losing value in a hurry should this offense trend toward the bottom quarter of the league. Personally, I’m more likely to hold or acquire Williams if I feel my team is in a position to win a title this winter, whereas I’d explore moving off him if that’s not the case—understanding that he still offers plenty of utility, at worst, for this entire season.
What does it take to trade for him? Our free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer can help you sift through the specifics and craft a deal that works for all parties.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.