Why the Slide?: Blake Corum, RB, Michigan

This series was created a number of years ago in response to questions about why certain well-known prospects went unselected in NFL drafts. For these articles, I reach out to sources with NFL teams to find out why their organizations passed on drafting a given player and/or the reasons other teams passed on that prospect. The positive response to “Why Undrafted” and questions from readers about why prospects were drafted lower than the media expectations led us to create the parallel series “Why the Slide?”

Both series are back this year. Feel free to email me requests for Why the Slide? and Why Undrafted? at [email protected]. I can’t promise to get to all of them, but I will do my best and definitely will respond to the email.

Over the last couple of years, Blake Corum has been one of the more high-profile players in college football. Corum was the engine of the Michigan Wolverine offense. Corum helped Michigan reach new heights with a spot in the college football playoff in 2022 and then win the National Championship in 2023. In his final college football season, Corum averaged 4.8 yards per carry for 1,245 yards with 27 touchdowns. Corum was never considered a first-round pick, but many thought he would go in the second round. Thus, it was a surprise when Corum slid well into the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

In speaking to team sources, Corum slid because teams felt that he was a good player but lacked a dominant trait. Corum is well-rounded but not overly fast or big. He also already had one serious knee injury during his college career, so the medical was a consideration for some.

The Los Angeles Rams ended Corum’s fall, and that was a mixed landing spot. On the positive side, Corum lands with a good offense with a good starter in Mathew Stafford and an excellent schemer running the offense in Sean McVay. On the negative side, Kyren Williams played well for the Rams in 2023 and looks like the established starter for Los Angeles. Williams is halfway through his rookie contract, so if he gets an extension, that could also box Corum into backup duty for many years to come. Still, Corum should get opportunities as the No. 2 back, and an injury to Williams would thrust Corum into a starting role. If Corum plays well, he could become the Rams feature back. Nothing will be given to Corum, but he has the opportunity to have a good professional career in Los Angeles.