New Year, new team; after making 14 selections in the recent NFL Draft and signing numerous undrafted free agents; the Los Angeles Rams conducted a week of OTA’s with a massively different roster from a year ago. The 2023 Rams could realistically have over 20 rookies, which might be a league record. On average, most franchises have less than 10 rookies on the opening day roster. With so many new faces on the team, HC Sean McVay will have much work to accomplish this summer. Let’s take a look at current Fantasy positions.

QUARTERBACK: QB Matthew Stafford is healthy and participated in OTAs, which is great news. Matthew was sharp and looks poised to regain the magic he had in 2021. Rookie QB Stetson Bennett is being groomed to be Stafford’s backup; however, veteran QB Brett Rypien is also in the mix to compete with Bennett. Hopefully both young signal callers only play in the preseason and Matthew is healthy the entire season. Stafford has a chance to be a sleeper in Fantasy this season, and I think he produces QB1 numbers.

RUNNING BACK: RB Cam Akers had an up and down 2022 season but finished the year strongly with three consecutive 100-yard games. Akers has a chance to lead this team in rushing and have a successful season. Cam is working hard with new running backs coach Ron Gould to hone his craft and be a true professional. Second year RB Kyren Williams is healthy after an injury riddled rookie season and is competing with sixth-round pick RB Zach Evans. Both young runners should make the team, but who is the second back behind Cam is yet to be determined. Akers ran for 512 yards and scored 6 touchdowns in his last six games, averaging an impressive 17 Fantasy points in those contests. I think Cam is in for a big year, potentially finishing as a top ten Fantasy back. I also predict Evans being Cam’s main sub with Williams the third-down back.

WIDE RECEIVER: WR Cooper Kupp missed most of OTAs for family time and is coming back from ankle surgery, but should be 100% healthy when mini-camp opens. WR Van Jefferson is healthy after dealing with several injuries last year. Jefferson is penciled in as the WR2 and could have the productive season the Rams were hoping to get from Allen Robinson last year. Third year WR Tutu Atwell has been making a lot of good plays and will finally live up to his early draft selection. Rookie fifth round pick WR Puka Nakua has been turning heads since arriving in Los Angeles. If Puka continues to impress, he could contribute as a rookie. WR Ben Skowronek and newly signed WR Tyler Johnson and WR DeMarcus Robinson will compete with everyone not named Cooper Kupp or Van Jefferson for a roster spot and playing time.

TIGHT END: TE Tyler Higbee is the starter and the second tight end will be decided from three players. TE Brycen Hopkins has the most experience. TE Hunter Long was brought in from Miami as part of the Jalen Ramsey trade. Fifth-round pick TE Davis Allen has the potential to develop into a solid pass catcher. The only tight end on the roster with Fantasy value is Higbee.

KICKER: The Rams signed two UFA PK Christopher Dunn and PK Tanner Brown. Los Angeles is hoping one of them proves worth to replace Matt Gay who signed big free agent contract with the Colts. What is really interesting is that the Rams will potentially have an all-rookie special teams unit; kicker, punter, long snapper, along with a new special teams coordinator.

DEFENSE: This unit returns only two starters from the 2022 season, which is unheard of in the NFL. Fortunately for the Rams those two players are future Hall of Famer DL Aaron Donald and up-and-coming LB Ernest Jones. DB Jordan Fuller is a former starter coming back from injury so he should claim a starting spot. DC Raheem Morris returns and has the daunting task of forming a defensive unit with minimal NFL experience. Second-round pick LB Byron Young is expected to earn a starting position as an edge rusher. I think sixth-round pick CB Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson has a chance to contribute as a slot-corner, which would make him a draft-day steal, and also be a huge boost to this unit.

HC Sean McVay and GM Les Snead have done a good job of transforming last season’s disappointing team to a young team with talent, hunger, and potential to compete right away. Not mentioned as Fantasy contributors but critical to the success of the offense, is the offensive line. If this unit can maintain good health, it has potential to be very good. 2023 second-round OL Steve Avila and 2022 third-round OL Logan Bruss (who missed his rookie season with an ACL injury) should solidify the Guard positions. OL Joe Noteboom is coming back from injury and will battle OL Alaric Jackson for the starting left tackle spot. OL Brian Allen and OL Rob Havenstein should start at center and right tackle respectively. I am cautiously optimistic for this team and I think you could find a few sleepers for your Fantasy team that produce much higher than their draft position. Have a safe summer and see you next month. Love and blessings to my family. Miss you Pops and Scratch! Aloha.

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