How the Rams are instantly boosting their ground game with No. 83 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft

The Rams made their first offensive pick of the 2024 NFL Draft with the selection of former Michigan running back Blake Corum at No. 83 overall. 

With this, the Rams have now made three picks in the draft between the addition of Corum, edge rusher Jared Verse at No. 19 overall and the trade up to No. 39 to select fellow Florida State Seminoles defensive tackle Braden Fiske.

Here's a look into three things to know about the newest member of the Rams:

1. Corum holds a more than a highly decorated place in Michigan history.

Many will agree that Corum is the best running back in Michigan football history, and it is perhaps because of just how much the offense centered around him due to his immense talent that quarterback J.J. McCarthy was rarely asked to show off his arm talent or athleticism. Corum finished out his career at Michigan with 675 carries for 3,737 yards (an average of 5.53 yards per carry). Corum holds the school record with 58 rushing touchdowns, 51 catches, 338 yards and three receiving scores.

2. Corum will have an opportunity to quickly disprove a narrative that surrounds him.

Corum turned the heads of several NFL scouts in the pre-draft process between his shiftiness and overall playmaking ability. But one of the biggest things he's been knocked for that have made some skeptical about his future at the next level is his size at 5-foot-8 and 205 pounds. That's yet to hinder his level of production or effectiveness to this point, something he'll look to keep going at the NFL level.

3. Corum ranked among the best in Pro Day results.

Corum entered the draft as one of the most highly touted running backs available for the taking, and he outperformed quite literally all of his peers on Pro Day in one area, coming close in others. Corum put up the best numbers of any rusher in the nation in bench press reps (27),  second in the three-cone drill (6.82 seconds) and third in the 20-yard shuttle (4.12 seconds).