What to make of Kyren Williams becoming the Rams' punt returner

Kyren Williams will take on a larger role with the Rams in 2024 but not in the way most would think. While an increased workload is typically positive in fantasy, Williams' new role in the offense leaves his value up in the air.

Multiple sources report that head coach Sean McVay surprised everyone on Aug. 27 by announcing that Williams would be the Rams' primary punt returner for the 2024 season. McVay did not give much reasoning behind the decision beyond a lack of other options with 2023 punt returner Austin Trammell no longer on the roster.

Williams is still listed as the starting running back for the team, making him the only player in the league to enter Week 1 with both assigned duties.

With three punt returns in 2023, Williams is no stranger to the position. The shock comes due to the fact that he has seemingly outgrown special teams duties at this point in his career as the Rams' bonafide RB1 and arguably a top 10 running back in the NFL. All of his returns in 2023 came before he supplanted Cam Akers as the full-time starter.

According to Jordan Rodrigue of The Athletic, McVay's decision to make Williams the punt returner is intended to give him more touches. However, he also noted that he is comfortable with the decision due to the "presence" of rookie Blake Corum and Ronnie Rivers. That second statement is what's concerning for Williams' fantasy value.

Kyren Williams' updated 2024 fantasy outlook

While punt returns only account for a few plays per game, the injury risk is so prominent that teams rarely use key offensive weapons in that role. Even Tyreek Hill, who was one of the most dynamic returners at the beginning of his career, was removed from that position a few years into his time with Kansas City as he developed into an elite receiver. The potential reward is just not worth the risk, making it puzzling why McVay would choose to roll the dice.

McVay's comments on Corum and Rivers are the most telling aspect of the decision, considering Williams was at the top of the league in running back usage in 2023. As Williams' backup in 2023, Rivers is not as much of a concern but the Corum, who received 465 carries in his last two years in college, is looking like he will be a headache all season.

Corum was always expected to factor into the offense but if McVay's comments are any indication, it could be more than initially anticipated. Even after dominating the backfield snaps in 2023, Williams could be in for a slight regression if the Michigan product bites into his time.

In 2023, Williams had just two games where he was on the field for less than 70 percent of the offensive snaps. Of the 14 games he played in, Williams had a snap share of 80 percent or higher in nine of them.

Even if Williams sees a slight decrease in his snap count and usage, that change could significantly dampen his fantasy value. He was efficient in 2023 but his massive usage rate is what drove him to an RB4 finish in 2024. Even just two fewer fantasy points per game would have resulted in him ending outside of the top 10.

It remains unclear how long the Rams intend on using Williams as their punt returner but it has to be assumed that it will not be a long-term solution. Williams is too valuable of a player for this to be more than just an emergency move. This could still all be a smoke screen and nothing can be determined until after Week 1.