Turf Show Times
This spring the Los Angeles Rams snapped a nine-year streak of drafting running backs.
On the surface that seems like a good news and an endorsement for second-year back Jarquez Hunter, who effectively took a redshirt year as a rookie. The bad news for Hunter is that Ronnie Rivers slotted ahead of him on the depth chart last season and will return again for 2026.
Here’s how the lineup should look when training camp opens later this month:
1A – Kyren Williams
1B – Blake Corum
First reserve – Ronnie Rivers / Jarquez Hunter
Likely camp bodies – Jordan Waters, Dean Connors
LA carried just three running backs on its initial 53-man roster out of training camp. We know Rivers later returned. Still, it’s a sign that cuts likely come down to one of Rivers or Hunter. Waters and Connors are former undrafted free agents and are longshots to make the team.
It’s possible that Hunter needs to show growth in camp or shown the door. While it would be disappointing to spend a fourth-round pick on a player with little ROI, relying on a sound veteran in Rivers may be the wiser answer in a year when it’s Super Bowl or bust.
The key distinction is that Rivers can contribute on special teams. He finished third on the Rams in kick returns behind Xavier Smith (43) and Jordan Whittington (22). Blake Corum was the fourth option with 14. Rivers was the best on an average basis at 25.9 yards per attempt. He’s also a mainstay on the punt team unit where he led all running backs and finished sixth on the team in snaps.
If Hunter is going to earn the role as the third back on the roster, he most prove willing and able to help on special teams. This is non-negotiable. Williams and Corum will get the bulk of the carries barring injury.
But Hunter also brings something to the table no other Rams running back can claim: speed.
Hunter has 4.44 40-yard dash speed. He was a homerun hitter at Auburn and can brag about a 6.4 yard per carry average. Long speed is a clear limitation of Williams and to a lesser extent Corum. We simply don’t know if Hunter’s speed can also be useful on special teams. He will never get an opportunity in Los Angeles to carry the ball unless he also contributes in the third phase.
Jarquez Hunter is one of the Rams’ biggest question marks heading into training camp. Can he finally crack the lineup in 2026?
