Countdown to cut down! The Rams lose their last preseason game to the Houston Texans and end the preseason at 2-1. Preseason records don’t count but player performance matter. HC Sean McVay does not play any of his starters or other players that will have significant roles during the regular season, which gives other players the opportunity to impress the staff or other franchises with good tape. One such player is undrafted free agent LB Omar Speights, who did well enough in camp and the first two preseason games that he secured a spot on the 53-man roster and rested the last game of the preseason. Let’s take a look at current Fantasy positions and possible roster spots.

QUARTERBACK: QB Matthew Stafford came back from his hamstring issue and is good to go for the opener. QB Jimmy Garoppolo will miss the first two regular season games due to suspension so QB Stetson Bennett, who had an inconsistent preseason, will back up Stafford until Garoppolo returns. Once Jimmy is back, Bennett could be released or signed to the practice squad.

RUNNING BACK: RB Kyren Williams, Rookie RB Blake Corum, and RB Ronnie Rivers are locks for the team. Williams the starter and a top 10 Fantasy back when healthy. Corum is the number two with potential upside. The Rams cut veteran RB Boston Scott, but that does not guarantee RB Zach Evans makes the 53-man roster. It has been reported that Los Angeles plans to run with only three running backs, which means Evans will either be cut or put on the practice squad. I wish they kept Evans and put Rivers on the practice squad. Zach is the only back with good size and long speed and I think he would give McVay more flexibility as a change of pace back. Rivers looks like a lesser version of Williams and Corum so I guess McVay likes his running backs to be the same size or smaller than he is!

WIDE RECEIVER: WR Cooper Kupp and WR Puka Nacua are the two studs that you want on your Fantasy team. WR DeMarcus Robinson is the third receiver and WR Tutu Atwell is currently listed as WR4; however, Rookie WR Jordan Whittington, second year WR Xavier Smith, and veteran WR Tyler Johnson have played well enough that the Rams could trade Atwell. Whittington has secured a spot on the team and plays a lot like Nacua. Smith is similar to Atwell in size and speed but seems stronger and tougher and a better return specialist at a much cheaper price. If the Rams can trade Atwell for any kind of draft picks, I would be on board with that decision.

TIGHT END: TE Tyler Higbee is out for a while so TE Colby Parkinson will start and be backed up by second year TE Davis Allen. TE Hunter Long should be on the team as long as Higbee is out. Allen appears to have the most Fantasy potential but not enough to draft him in any of your leagues.

KICKER: Rookie PK Joshua Karty missed an extra point against Houston but will be the Rams kicker to start the season. Karty will get plenty of opportunities in this offense so hopefully is up to the task.

DEFENSE: This unit could be surprisingly good; however, they could lose their Captain and leading tackler. LB Ernest Jones is in the last year of his rookie contract and GM Les Snead said the Rams will not give Ernest an extension. A report came out that Ernest wants an extension or be traded. McVay and Jones bot deny saying Ernest wanted to be traded but he was not at practice on Monday so we will see how this plays out. Los Angeles historically under McVay and Snead has refused to pay market value for the linebackers that they draft (Alec Ogletree) or sign as undrafted free agents (Cory Littleton). The only time the Rams paid top dollar for a linebacker was free agent Bobby Wagner and though he played well, it was not worth the money. I do not know what type of salary Ernest is asking for but I do believe that he deserves an extension of some sort. He is scheduled to make only a little over three million as the defensive leader, which is greatly underpaid. Speights has been spectacular in his limited action but I can’t see him filling in for Jones in his rookie season. The Rams have a young defense with talent in players like DE Jared Verse, DT Braden Fiske, DT Kobie Turner, and ED Byron Young. I really hope Jones and the Rams can come to an agreement so this unit can keep their Captain and best IDP.

The wait for the 2024 regular season will soon be over. Los Angeles has potential to go far into the playoffs if they can stay healthy. If they lose Jones, the defense will have a difficult time reaching their full potential. The Fantasy Drafts ongoing. I did three drafts this past weekend and have two more the week of Labor Day. Reports will be weekly starting in September so please come back for Rams Fantasy news. Love and blessings to my family. Miss you Pops and Scratch! Aloha!

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