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The Los Angeles Rams have been a wasteland for a long time from a fantasy perspective. Sure, they’ve produced efficient running backs and the occasional productive defense, but the lack of useful players at quarterback, receiver, and tight end has been devastating.
Will 2017 be any different? There are plenty of players with fantasy potential, but there isn’t a sure thing on the roster this year. I’ll be giving a brief outlook on each Rams player with noticeable fantasy potential.
Jared Goff, QB – It’s hard to take away anything of value from Goff’s rookie year. He didn’t play well, but there aren’t many quarterbacks that could have played well in his situation.
With a new coach, a new system, and some new weapons to play with, things could turn around quickly for Goff in his second season. Sean McVay turned Kirk Cousins into a machine last season, making him the fifth highest scoring fantasy quarterback in the league. Things will be a little different for McVay in Los Angeles. He doesn’t have the talent at receiver and he has an unknown at quarterback.
But what he does have now is a legitimate running back in Todd Gurley. Assuming Gurley gets back to form early on, Goff will have a chance to succeed. Drafting Goff is based purely on potential and system opportunity. By no means should he be your go to option at quarterback, but for those reasons he is worth consideration as a late round backup option. Verdict: Late Round Flier.
Todd Gurley, RB – I went in-depth on Todd Gurley’s fantasy value here, so I won’t get to crazy discussing him now. If you want to take Gurley in this years’ draft, you have to believe he’ll be able to recapture the magic of his monster four game stretch in his rookie season, which I do. His draft stock isn’t that high in the morning and some people may be able to steal him in the third round. If you really believe in Gurley, you should take him in the second round. I’ll have Gurley ranked somewhere in the 15-20 range. Verdict: Late Second.
Lance Dunbar, RB – Dunbar is an interesting fantasy prospect. Gurley is going to be the workhorse and should also see more action in the passing game in 2017. But there’s a strong possibility that Dunbar takes full control as the third down and passing down running back. His potential impact isn’t worth drafting in most leagues, but he does have potential in deeper PPR leagues. He’s worth keeping an eye on. Verdict: Waiver Watch.
Tavon Austin, WR – Tavon Austin might genuinely be the most talented football player on the Rams offense. The problem is that being a good football player doesn’t always translate to being a productive wide receiver. Every offensive coordinator the Rams have had recently has struggled to find a consistent way of getting Austin the ball in open space. His name and explosiveness will lead to him being drafted, often too high. He’s just far too inconsistent for me. Until we see him carve out a solid role that produces each week, he’s too big of a question mark to draft. Verdict: Avoid.
Robert Woods, WR – Assuming one of the rookies doesn’t blow the roof open in camp, Robert Woods is likely going to enter the season as the Rams’ No. 1 option. Kenny Britt opened up the field for the Rams over the last few seasons and finally broke the team’s cold streak by crossing the 1,000-yard mark. Woods is the most likely candidate to do something similar. His talent won’t blow you away, but he is a solid player, who should receive a lot of targets this year. It’s easy to imagine Woods putting up consistently decent numbers and finding himself in the low end WR3 conversation, especially in PPR formats. Verdict: Late Round.
Cooper Kupp, WR – Cooper Kupp has a lot of buzz following him into camp and seems to be the most promising Rams rookie receiver out of the pack. He has great hands, runs nice routes, and on a weak depth chart might he find his way into a sizable role as a possession receiver. He doesn’t yet have a role good enough to warrant drafting on such a questionable offense, but owners should definitely keep Kupp on their watch-list this year. He could be a breakout rookie. Verdict: Waiver Watch.
Tyler Higbee, TE – I’m not sold on Tyler Higbee. He’s the favorite to win the starting tight end job and has experience with Jared Goff, but his talent isn’t good enough to make up for his off-field antics and questionable attitude. He isn’t who I expect to be the breakout tight end this year. Verdict: Avoid.
Gerald Everett, TE – Here’s the guy I expect to be the breakout tight end. Everett was the first player selected by the Rams in this year’s draft, so the coaching staff has to be high on his potential. He’s a great athlete and can stretch the field in big ways. Everett is a bit raw and inexperienced, but so was Jordan Reed when he entered the NFL, and Sean McVay turned him into one of the most dangerous weapons in the league. It’s no secret he wants to turn Everett into the same thing. He’s a deep sleeper that will fly under almost everybody’s radar. He’s worth drafting late in deeper leagues and should be on the watch-list in smaller leagues. Verdict: Waiver Watch.
Greg Zuerlein, K – A kicker can only be of fantasy value if his offense gives him opportunities. Verdict: Avoid.
Los Angeles Rams Defense – Aaron Donald. Wade Phillips. A schedule that isn’t filled with elite offenses. If Wade Phillips can cover up the holes in the secondary, this defense will be freighting. They are absolutely worth drafting.
Remember: do NOT draft a defense high. It isn’t worth taking the Denver defense in the 9th round when the Rams will likely be available in the 14th. Verdict: Late Round Selection.
Overall, the Rams fantasy perspective isn’t much different than usual, with a strong chance that only Gurley, the defense, and the annual overdraft of Tavon Austin may happen in a lot of leagues. However, this group has more fantasy potential than usual. Be sure to keep your eye on Everett and Kupp as we get deeper into the preseason.
Steve Rebeiro is a staff writer and podcast host for Rams Talk. He graduated from Marquette University in 2016. For more of his opinions, follow him on Twitter here.
Cooper Kupp, fantasy, fantasy football, fantasy football 2017, featured, Gerald Everett, Greg Zuerlein, Jared Goff, Lance Dunbar, Los Angeles Rams, rams, robert woods, Tavon Austin, Todd Gurley, Tyler Higbee, Wade Phillips
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The Los Angeles Rams have been a wasteland for a long time from a fantasy perspective. Sure, they’ve produced efficient running backs and the occasional productive defense, but the lack of useful players at quarterback, receiver, and tight end has been devastating.
Will 2017 be any different? There are plenty of players with fantasy potential, but there isn’t a sure thing on the roster this year. I’ll be giving a brief outlook on each Rams player with noticeable fantasy potential.
Jared Goff, QB – It’s hard to take away anything of value from Goff’s rookie year. He didn’t play well, but there aren’t many quarterbacks that could have played well in his situation.
With a new coach, a new system, and some new weapons to play with, things could turn around quickly for Goff in his second season. Sean McVay turned Kirk Cousins into a machine last season, making him the fifth highest scoring fantasy quarterback in the league. Things will be a little different for McVay in Los Angeles. He doesn’t have the talent at receiver and he has an unknown at quarterback.
But what he does have now is a legitimate running back in Todd Gurley. Assuming Gurley gets back to form early on, Goff will have a chance to succeed. Drafting Goff is based purely on potential and system opportunity. By no means should he be your go to option at quarterback, but for those reasons he is worth consideration as a late round backup option. Verdict: Late Round Flier.
Todd Gurley, RB – I went in-depth on Todd Gurley’s fantasy value here, so I won’t get to crazy discussing him now. If you want to take Gurley in this years’ draft, you have to believe he’ll be able to recapture the magic of his monster four game stretch in his rookie season, which I do. His draft stock isn’t that high in the morning and some people may be able to steal him in the third round. If you really believe in Gurley, you should take him in the second round. I’ll have Gurley ranked somewhere in the 15-20 range. Verdict: Late Second.
Lance Dunbar, RB – Dunbar is an interesting fantasy prospect. Gurley is going to be the workhorse and should also see more action in the passing game in 2017. But there’s a strong possibility that Dunbar takes full control as the third down and passing down running back. His potential impact isn’t worth drafting in most leagues, but he does have potential in deeper PPR leagues. He’s worth keeping an eye on. Verdict: Waiver Watch.
Tavon Austin, WR – Tavon Austin might genuinely be the most talented football player on the Rams offense. The problem is that being a good football player doesn’t always translate to being a productive wide receiver. Every offensive coordinator the Rams have had recently has struggled to find a consistent way of getting Austin the ball in open space. His name and explosiveness will lead to him being drafted, often too high. He’s just far too inconsistent for me. Until we see him carve out a solid role that produces each week, he’s too big of a question mark to draft. Verdict: Avoid.
Robert Woods, WR – Assuming one of the rookies doesn’t blow the roof open in camp, Robert Woods is likely going to enter the season as the Rams’ No. 1 option. Kenny Britt opened up the field for the Rams over the last few seasons and finally broke the team’s cold streak by crossing the 1,000-yard mark. Woods is the most likely candidate to do something similar. His talent won’t blow you away, but he is a solid player, who should receive a lot of targets this year. It’s easy to imagine Woods putting up consistently decent numbers and finding himself in the low end WR3 conversation, especially in PPR formats. Verdict: Late Round.
Cooper Kupp, WR – Cooper Kupp has a lot of buzz following him into camp and seems to be the most promising Rams rookie receiver out of the pack. He has great hands, runs nice routes, and on a weak depth chart might he find his way into a sizable role as a possession receiver. He doesn’t yet have a role good enough to warrant drafting on such a questionable offense, but owners should definitely keep Kupp on their watch-list this year. He could be a breakout rookie. Verdict: Waiver Watch.
Tyler Higbee, TE – I’m not sold on Tyler Higbee. He’s the favorite to win the starting tight end job and has experience with Jared Goff, but his talent isn’t good enough to make up for his off-field antics and questionable attitude. He isn’t who I expect to be the breakout tight end this year. Verdict: Avoid.
Gerald Everett, TE – Here’s the guy I expect to be the breakout tight end. Everett was the first player selected by the Rams in this year’s draft, so the coaching staff has to be high on his potential. He’s a great athlete and can stretch the field in big ways. Everett is a bit raw and inexperienced, but so was Jordan Reed when he entered the NFL, and Sean McVay turned him into one of the most dangerous weapons in the league. It’s no secret he wants to turn Everett into the same thing. He’s a deep sleeper that will fly under almost everybody’s radar. He’s worth drafting late in deeper leagues and should be on the watch-list in smaller leagues. Verdict: Waiver Watch.
Greg Zuerlein, K – A kicker can only be of fantasy value if his offense gives him opportunities. Verdict: Avoid.
Los Angeles Rams Defense – Aaron Donald. Wade Phillips. A schedule that isn’t filled with elite offenses. If Wade Phillips can cover up the holes in the secondary, this defense will be freighting. They are absolutely worth drafting.
Remember: do NOT draft a defense high. It isn’t worth taking the Denver defense in the 9th round when the Rams will likely be available in the 14th. Verdict: Late Round Selection.
Overall, the Rams fantasy perspective isn’t much different than usual, with a strong chance that only Gurley, the defense, and the annual overdraft of Tavon Austin may happen in a lot of leagues. However, this group has more fantasy potential than usual. Be sure to keep your eye on Everett and Kupp as we get deeper into the preseason.
Steve Rebeiro is a staff writer and podcast host for Rams Talk. He graduated from Marquette University in 2016. For more of his opinions, follow him on Twitter here.
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