Fantasy Preview: Rams High-Powered Offense Has Multiple Early-Round Picks

By Jack Dougherty

The Rams were the closest team to knocking off the Philadelphia Eagles in the playoffs last year, and they have the talent to make another deep run in the NFC in 2025. Puka Nacua is back to full health after missing six games last season, Kyren Williams returns after putting up a career-high 1,299 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, and Davante Adams joins the fold as an upgrade over Cooper Kupp. This Sean McVay-led offense will be elite if Matthew Stafford can stay healthy, but he’s been dealing with a concerning back injury that’s held him out of training camp. 

On defense, the Rams are loaded with home-grown talent on the defensive line with Jared Verse, Braden Fiske, Kobie Turner and Byron Young. Stafford’s injury is a major concern, but Los Angeles will be a sneaky Super Bowl contender if he’s on the field. 

Odds to Make Playoffs: -144

Quarterback: Matthew Stafford

• 2024-25 stats: 16 games, 340-517, 65.8% completion, 3,762 yards, 7.3 yards per attempt, 93.7 passer rating, 20 touchdowns, 8 interceptions

• Stafford is still a top quarterback at the age of 37, but his lack of rushing ability and injury concerns make him a risky pick in fantasy this season. You’d be better off targeting a quarterback who can rack up points with his legs. 

Running Back: Kyren Williams 

• 2024-25 stats: 16 games, 316 carries, 1,299 yards, 4.1 average, 14 touchdowns, 81.2 yards/game, 3 fumbles lost

• Fantasy analysts keep trying to find ways to doubt Williams, but McVay trusts him as a workhorse running back. Williams had 70 carries, nine targets and 16 total touchdowns in the red zone last season, while Blake Corum and Ronnie Rivers combined for just nine touches inside the 20. Target Williams in the second round. 

Wide Receiver: Puka Nacua 

• 2024-25 stats: 11 games, 79 receptions, 106 targets, 990 yards, 12.5 average, 3 touchdowns, 90.0 yards/game, 518 yards after catch

• Nacua is an explosive wide receiver who’s averaged 88.4 yards per game through his first two seasons with the Rams. Assuming he stays healthy and Stafford’s back isn’t an issue in the regular season, Nacua should be a first-round draft pick and high-end WR1. 

Tight End: Tyler Higbee

• 2024-25 stats: 3 games, 8 receptions, 12 targets, 66 yards, 8.3 average, 2 touchdowns, 22.0 yards/game, 48 yards after catch

• Higbee missed most of last season as he was recovering from a torn ACL and MCL. He should be back to full health in 2025, but there are too many talented mouths to feed in this offense for him to be a starting tight end in fantasy. 

Defense

• 2024-25 stats: 22.3 points allowed per game, 40.25% 3rd down, 50.0% 4th down, 13 interceptions, 38 sacks, 10 fumbles caused, 7 fumbles recovered, 3 touchdowns

• The Rams finished as the 13th-best defense in fantasy last season, and they should be even better in 2025 with Verse poised to make the jump to stardom. If you want to wait on a defense, this group has major upside.