NFL analyst predicts where Kyren Williams' new contract should rank among other RBs

Kyren Williams and the Los Angeles Rams are engaged in contract extension negotiations this offseason as the running back enters his fourth NFL season.

If the two sides agree on a deal, Williams will undoubtedly become one of the highest-paid running backs in the NFL. Bleacher Report's Moe Moton predicts that when ink hits paper, Williams will be the fifth-highest paid running back in the league with a new three-year, $40.5 million contract with $25.5 million guaranteed.

Kyren Williams should slightly edge [Buffalo Bills running back] James Cook in salary. As of Tuesday, the Los Angeles Rams seem more willing to strike a new deal with him than the Buffalo Bills are with Cook. ... Williams is more vital to the Rams' offense than Cook is to the Bills' Josh Allen-led offense.

Moton added that Matthew Stafford's age and impending departure (in a year or two, at least) mean that the Rams will need to lean on veteran leadership at other positions — including running back — in the future. Sean McVay can't rely on Blake Corum or Jarquez Hunter to carry the load if Williams leaves and Stafford's production declines, so the only way forward, really, is to keep Williams around on a lucrative contract extension.

It makes sense, especially given Williams' consistent production over the past two years. And while paying lots of money to a running back who isn't a name like Barkley, Henry or McCaffrey might be hard to swallow, the Rams are trying to build a long-term contender. Williams will have to be a part of that with the quarterback plan still an unknown post-Stafford.

This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: NFL analyst predicts Kyren Williams' new contract