The calm before the storm is how I describe this time of the off-season. The Draft, OTA’s, and mini-camp are over and players and coaches get a little break before opening training camp in a few short weeks (July 29). This will be the youngest pool of talent that HC Sean McVay will have to select from as there are over thirty rookies (draft picks and UDFAs) currently on the roster. There are numerous positions available for the taking, but fortunately for the Rams, they have their core veterans back healthy after a disastrous 2022 season. Let’s look at the Fantasy positions as the Rams prepare for training camp.

QUARTERBACK: QB Matthew Stafford is much healthier than he was a year ago at this time and his presence has been a boost for the entire offense, but especially his young receiving corps. Rookie QB Stetson Bennett will hopefully only play in the preseason games and should be Stafford’s back-up. Like his teammates, Stafford suffered through a miserable 2022 season so he could be undervalued in this season’s Fantasy Drafts. If the line can come together, the running game is decent, and with a young defense, the Rams could be involved in many shootouts and Stafford could put nice numbers. Matthew has potential to produce like a low end QB1 while be drafted like a low end QB2.

RUNNING BACK: RB Cam Akers had the most head scratching 2022 season of any Rams player. He started the year playing minimal snaps, then Cam was on the trading block and inactive for a few games. After Darrell Henderson was released in November, Cam took over the rushing duties and finished the season with three straight 100-yard rushing games, while being one of the top Fantasy backs in the league. Second year RB Kyren Williams will be challenged by rookie RB Zach Evans, while veteran RB Sony Michel was recently resigned to provide veteran stability. If Akers continues to play like he did at the end of the 2022 season, he could be the steal of the draft. Cam is ranked around the 20^th running back; however, I believe he has the potential to produce top ten numbers.

WIDE RECEIVER: WR Cooper Kupp is back and should be 100% when camp opens, which means he should be considered a top 5 Fantasy receiver. WR Van Jefferson is also healthy after dealing with nagging injuries a year ago. Van should lock down the second receiver spot after Kupp and has decent Fantasy value. The third receiver should be one of the following: WR Tutu Atwell, WR Ben Skowronek, or rookie WR Puka Nakua; however, Los Angles did sign WR Tyler Johnson and WR Demarcus Robinson recently so we will wait and see how they fit in to the Ram’s plans. Kupp should be a top five Fantasy receiver while Jefferson has sleeper potential.

TIGHT END: TE Tyler Higbee is the most productive tight end in Rams history and returns for his 9^th season with the team. Higbee will be backed up by either TE Brycen Hopkins or TE Hunger Long. Rookie TE Davis Allen has potential to be Higbee’s successor in a few years but should not have much impact in his rookie season with so many veterans ahead of him on the depth chart. Higbee has a relatively low ceiling but also a decent floor, which makes him a safe pick with potential to outplay his Draft spot.

KICKER: The Rams released UFA PK Christopher Dunn so UFA PK Tanner Brown is currently the only kicker on the roster. I am not sure if Los Angeles brings in a veteran to compete with Brown but whoever is the kicker for the Rams has potential sleeper value in Fantasy.

DEFENSE: This unit will be extremely young and inexperienced as DC Raheem Morris will have only two starters from last year’s opening game roster. It helps that one of those players is All-World DL Aaron Donald who should be 100% after ending 2022 on injured reserve. LB Ernest Jones enters his third season wearing the coveted green dot as the defensive play caller. Jones has improved in each of his first two years and could be a valuable player for the Rams and Fantasy. Second year CB Cobie Durant had a few injuries last year but was very productive when he was on the field. DB Jordan Fuller should return to his starting spot after injuries sidelined him the past two seasons. Rookie LB Byron Young has potential to be a star from the edge position. Morris has his work cut out to develop this young squad, but is has talent and potential.

After a difficult and injury plagued 2022 season, Los Angeles is ready to get back to its winning ways with a young and hungry roster. McVay and Snead have done an impressive job this off-season creating salary space and utilizing the Draft and free agency to refill the roster with young talent. I am anxious to see this team develop and compete and I think they will prove a lot of doubters wrong. If the offensive line can play well and stay healthy, I think the Rams could have a top ten offense with a lot of productivity. Training camp is soon approaching and so are Fantasy Drafts. Enjoy the summer and see you next month. Love and blessings to my family. Miss you Pops and Scratch! Aloha!

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