Los Angeles Rams running back Jarquez Hunter is an intriguing dynasty stash given his draft capital, but he lacks short-term fantasy value. As a result, he can be left on your bench (or redraft waivers) heading into his Week 1 matchup against the Houston Texans. There are plenty of reasons to avoid Hunter this week. First, the Texans' run defense was very strong last year, allowing the sixth-fewest rushing touchdowns and fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2024. Additionally, he is buried on the Rams' depth chart. Kyren Williams and Blake Corum are both ahead of him for now, and there's additional concern that he could drop to the fourth rung after Los Angeles elevated Cody Schrader from the practice squad on Saturday. The difference between third- versus fourth-string is the difference between being active or inactive on gameday, so it will be interesting to see his status when the inactives report comes out. Regardless, Hunter is not a startable fantasy option in Week 1.
Sep 6, 2025 2:33 PM EST
Los Angeles Rams rookie running back Jarquez Hunter is likely to open the season behind both Kyren Williams and Blake Corum in the team's backfield pecking order. Given how heavily Los Angeles has utilized Williams over the past two seasons, Hunter's RB3 status could mean that he is unlikely to see the field much as a rookie. A fourth-round pick out of Auburn, Hunter led the SEC by averaging 6.4 yards per rush attempt in his final collegiate season. The 22-year-old brings an explosive speed element to the Rams' backfield that Williams and Corum do not. However, Williams and Corum are dependable three-down backs who can make plays inside the tackles, which is a skill set that Rams head coach Sean McVay has typically favored. An injury could change things, but for now, Hunter should be off the radar of fantasy managers in 2025.
Aug 30, 2025 12:59 PM EST
Los Angeles Rams running back Jarquez Hunter rushed for 14 yards on seven carries during Saturday's preseason finale against the Cleveland Browns. The rookie was inefficient once again, but it's still worth noting that he only played in the first quarter and thenceforth ceded carries to Cody Schrader and Brennan Presley. However, Kyren Williams and Blake Corum didn't even play. Corum's absence could indicate that he's in line to operate as the Rams' No. 2 running back while Hunter opens his career as the third-string. Hunter is merely a low-end stash in dynasty leagues, and he can be avoided in redraft formats.
Aug 24, 2025 12:47 PM EST
Los Angeles Rams rookie running back Jarquez Hunter has an important fan in offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur. "The more opportunities he gets, the better it's going to be," LaFleur said of the fourth-round pick from Auburn on Wednesday. LaFleur got Hunter heavily involved over the Rams' first two preseason games, as the 5-foot-9, 204-pounder combined for 96 yards on 26 carries in those contests. The Rams have an established No. 1 running back in Kyren Williams, who signed a three-year, $33 million contract extension earlier this month, and Blake Corum is listed ahead of Hunter for the backup job on the team's unofficial depth chart. However, Corum didn't do much during a touchdown-less rookie campaign (207 yards on 58 carries, seven catches for 58 yards), so Hunter could overtake him for the No. 2 job this year if he continues to impress.
Aug 20, 2025 7:00 PM EST
Los Angeles Rams running back Jarquez Hunter carried the ball 15 times for 55 yards during Saturday's preseason win over the Los Angeles Chargers. He also converted his lone target into a two-yard reception. A rookie fourth-round pick out of Auburn, Hunter is the early favorite to win the No. 2 running back job behind incumbent starter Kyren Williams. He has led the backfield in carries in both of the Rams' preseason carries so far, averaging 3.7 yards per rush attempt. Williams should handle the every-down role once again this year, but Hunter represents a very intriguing handcuff option. RotoBaller's NFL experts currently have Hunter ranked as the overall RB61, while teammate Blake Corum ranks as the overall RB59.
Aug 16, 2025 11:43 PM EST
Los Angeles Rams running back Jarquez Hunter rushed for 41 yards on 11 carries during Saturday's preseason opener against the Dallas Cowboys. He was not targeted in the passing game, but he did add a 21-yard kick return to his stat line. Although we would've liked to see him average more than 3.7 yards per carry, the rookie did turn heads by taking on a high-volume role in his preseason debut. Not only does Hunter's fourth-round draft capital give him a leg up over Blake Corum to be the Rams' backup running back, but he is also expected to push for some of Kyren Williams' snaps. As a likely handcuff with potential standalone value, Hunter is worth stashing in the final rounds of fantasy drafts with at least 14 teams.
Aug 10, 2025 8:47 AM EST
Los Angeles Rams running back Jarquez Hunter was a fourth-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft after a fantastic final season at Auburn. This offseason, the Rams coaching staff is pleased with his attention to detail and the way he has picked up the team's playbook. "He's a young man that's very focused on making sure he's doing exactly what we need him to do in order for him to take that next step," running backs coach Ron Gould said. "And then I was just very surprised at how quickly he picked up everything." The rookie will surely begin the season behind Pro Bowl running back Kyren Williams, but Williams struggled with explosiveness in 2024, posting just two 20-plus-yard runs on 316 carries. Meanwhile, Hunter ranked second nationally in runs of 10-plus yards per carry in 2024. With Blake Corum struggling to make an impact last year, Hunter could be the favorite to win the RB2 role. And if Williams continues to lack big-play upside, we could see a healthy mix of Hunter as a change-of-pace back. If he's the clear RB2 in Los Angeles, he has potential league-winning upside in the case of Williams injury.
Jul 10, 2025 3:15 PM EST
The Los Angeles Rams selected Auburn running back Jarquez Hunter with the 117th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Hunter is a physical runner known for his ability to earn extra yards after first contact. He demonstrates good decision-making skills and football IQ, which, paired with his physicality, makes him an intriguing option in short-yardage situations. With that said, Hunter might not be limited to only short-yardage plays; he led the SEC with 6.4 yards per carry last season. He totaled 1,201 yards on the ground and scored nine touchdowns along the way. Los Angeles' young backfield now features Kyren Williams, Blake Corum, and Hunter.
Apr 26, 2025 1:07 PM EST
Copyright 2025 Fantasy Football Calculator | Image Source: Icon Sportswire. Not affiliated with the National Football League (NFL).
Stats powered by FantasyData.com.
