Jarquez Hunter: Path To Production
The Rams RB room is crowded - on paper.
Jarquez Hunter, selected at No. 117 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, arrives in Los Angeles with All-SEC credentials and a chip on his shoulder. He was widely viewed as underutilized and in my opinion, underrated. Despite Auburn's treasure trove of past running backs, Hunter finished fourth all-time in program history with 3,371 rushing yards. In 2024, he ran for at least 50 yards in every game in addition to four 100-yard performances, highlighted by a staggering 278-yard outing in Auburn’s October 26th win over Kentucky.
Jarquez Hunter pre-draft measurables
| Measurable | Result |
|---|---|
| Height | 5 ft 9⅜ in (1.76 m) |
| Weight | 204 lb (93 kg) |
| Arm Length | 30 in (0.76 m) |
| Hand Span | 9½ in (0.24 m) |
| 40-yard Dash | 4.44 seconds |
| 10-yard Split | 1.58 seconds |
| 20-yard Split | 2.59 seconds |
| 20-yard Shuttle | 4.47 seconds |
| Vertical Jump | 33.5 in (0.85 m) |
| Broad Jump | 10 ft 0 in (3.05 m) |
| Bench Press | 21 reps |
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day.
I'd like to see Hunter play on Sundays - how can he carve out room for himself in the Rams' backfield? He has a chance to compete for touches right away, but he may need to be patient to earn significant playing time.
Kyren Williams is entering the final year of his rookie contract and remains the clear RB1 in 2025. He's been productive, posting back-to-back seasons with over 1,100 yards, but durability is a concern. Ankle sprains in both 2022 and 2023 caused him to miss time, and while he's currently healthy, history suggests another setback is possible. If that happens, and if Hunter beats out Blake Corum for the No. 2 spot, the door will swing wide open for real playing time.
Corum played in a backup role to Williams in 2024. Regardless of Kyren Williams staying healthy or not - Corum is Hunter's real competition this upcoming year. Worked into the offense slowly, Corum rushed 58 times in 2024 with an average of 3.6 YPC totaling 207 yards and added 7 receptions for 58 yards. A solid back, but he failed to generate any explosive plays and fell short of expectations. The Rams have a real opportunity to diversify their backfield with Hunter in this regard.
Jarquez Hunter had more 10+ yard runs last season than the entire Rams offense. His burst adds a new dynamic to the Rams’ backfield mix.#RamsHouse #JarquezHunter #RamsCamp #NFLRookies #LAFB pic.twitter.com/Y7Lec1HAe6
— LAFB Network (@LAFBNetwork) July 24, 2025
Furthermore, similar to Puka Nacua, head coach Sean McVay was gushing over Hunter in the draft. Was this to put the screws to an under-performing Corum, give relief to an injury prone Williams, or genuine belief that Hunter can quickly climb the depth chart?
"There is no question that's who I want"
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) May 24, 2025
"That was my top player for today"
Sean McVay on RB Jarquez Hunter pic.twitter.com/4DuA4gEIyg
What Kyren Williams and Blake Corum lack, Jarquez Hunter brings in spades. According to Next Gen Stats, the Rams had the fourth-fewest explosive carries last season - an area in which they've severely struggled since the days of Todd Gurley. While Hunter is still unproven against stronger and faster NFL defenses, his ability to create chunk plays is going to be the clearest path to earning a role in this offense.
New Rams running back Jarquez Hunter had the 2nd-highest explosive rush rate (10+ yards) among FBS backs with 150+ carries in 2024.
— Wyatt Miller (@wymill07) April 28, 2025
That skill set will be a welcome addition to a Rams backfield that had the 4th-fewest explosive rushes in the NFL last season. pic.twitter.com/VETjNbrxVl
Hunter's limited usage at Auburn reflects more on frustratingly inconsistent schemes than on his reliability. If the Rams appreciate Jarquez Hunter as much as I do, they better make some room for his horse, Danger, too.
Comments ()