Hey nerds! The 2024 NFL season is almost upon us, and your boy is back to cover the Los Angeles Rams in the Dynasty Nerds Fantasy Forecast series. Los Angeles finished second in the NFC West with a 10-7 record, making the playoffs before being bounced out in the Wild Card round by the Detroit Lions. This article will focus on key additions and subtractions to the roster and how those moves affect the Los Angeles Rams’ 2024 NFL season.
Quarterbacks
Let’s be honest, the fate of the Rams season lies in the health and durability of Matthew Stafford. When he is under center for the Rams, they have a 24-17 win-loss record compared to 3-7 when he is not. In just three seasons with the Rams, Stafford already holds the team record for most touchdown passes, the most passing yards, and completions in a season. His 2023 Pro Bowl season saw passing numbers of 3,965 passing yards for 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while only playing in 15 games.
The 36-year old’s time is coming to an end sooner rather than later, but he still has fantasy relevance as long as he is tied to Head Coach Sean McVay. Contending teams should consider Stafford a top-24 quarterback (QB2) option if they need an upgrade.
After Carson Wentz‘s departure to Kansas City, the backup position will be free agent Jimmy Garoppolo—once he returns from his two-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs. However, in his 10 NFL seasons, “Jimmy G” has only produced QB2 numbers twice, finishing as QB14 and QB17 overall. Even with McVay’s offensive mind, I would stay away from Garoppolo.
Running Backs
The Rams finished 2023 ranked tied for 11th in the league in total rushing yards with 2,045. Approximately 56 percent of those yards came from sophomore running back Kyren Williams during his breakout season. Williams rushed for 1,144 yards and 12 touchdowns while also catching 32 receptions for 206 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns. Those numbers helped him finish as the seventh-overall running back (RB7) last year. Williams was the bell cow back for the Rams in 2023, playing over 72 percent of the snaps in 10 out of 11 games.
However, Williams did miss four games due to an ankle injury and has started 2024 sitting out OTAs with foot issues. Los Angeles needed to address the running back position, and they did so in the draft, selecting National Champion running back Blake Corum in the third round.
Corum is built like a bowling ball with a 5’8”, 205 lb. frame; I have compared him to Doug Martin. Corum comes into the league as an older back (he turns 24 in November), but he will provide much-needed relief to Williams’ workload. Sean McVay has praised Corum as a standout player during OTAs. If you are a Williams manager, you need to prioritize Corum as the handcuff, but I see standalone fantasy value as well for Corum in 2024.
Wide Receivers
The Rams led the seventh-ranked offense in terms of yards per game. Much of that came from being the tenth-ranked passing offense led by rookie phenom Puka Nacua. Nacua broke rookie receiving records for receptions (105), receiving yards (1,486), receptions in a game (15), and most receiving yards in a playoff game (181). Nacua was nothing short of amazing, but one has to wonder what those numbers would have looked like if his counterpart Cooper Kupp had been healthy all season.
Kupp was limited to just seven games due to injury. Kupp finished with 59 receptions, 737 receiving yards, and 5 touchdowns. Those receiving and reception totals were the second lowest of his seven-year career. I believe both receivers will be fine and could be very productive in this Rams offense.
In games with Kupp and Nacua in the lineup, Puka finished with 62 receptions, 944 receiving yards, and 4 touchdowns. During Weeks 13-17, Kupp averaged 14.8 points per game and finished as WR11 overall. I currently have Puka Nacua as my eighth-ranked wide receiver (WR8) in dynasty and Cooper Kupp as WR29. It’s not out of the realm of possibility for both Kupp and Nacua to finish as top-12 wide receivers.
The third wide receiver position is going to have fantasy value. The battle is between DeMarcus Robinson and Tutu Atwell. I currently have Robinson as the leader, but it will be something to monitor during training camp and preseason. Robinson produced a stat line of 26 / 371 / 4, which doesn’t seem too impressive until you realize it was all after Week 8. The Rams re-signed Robinson, but he appears to be forgotten by fantasy owners. I would throw some late-round rookie picks at the Robinson manager to see if you can get a deal done. I would also check your waiver wire, as managers may have cut Robinson to make room for their latest rookie picks.
Tight Ends
As expected, Tyler Higbee will start the season on the PUP list after suffering tears to his MCL and ACL during the Los Angeles Rams playoff loss to the Detroit Lions. The Rams addressed Higbee’s injury by signing Colby Parkinson to a 3-year, $22.5 million contract.
Parkinson’s massive 6’7″, 251 lb. frame caught the eye of coach Sean McVay. Parkinson could be in for a career season with the Rams, but keep an eye on Davis Allen who will be going into his sophomore season with the Rams. I expect Los Angeles to utilize more 12 personnel, which will help get Allen on the field. Parkinson will be the more expensive option of the two tight ends. Check your waiver wire for Davis Allen. If he is rostered, I wouldn’t be opposed to sending a fifth-round pick and stashing him away on a Taxi Squad.
If you want access to the full set of Dynasty Nerds ranks, sign up for the #nerdherd, giving you access to our film room, extra podcasts, rankings, an exclusive Discord channel, and so much more. USE PROMO CODE “DYNASTYDAD15” to save 15% off your membership!
Please follow me on “X” @dynastydadmike, where I love to chat about all things football. Make sure you have the Dynasty Nerds App, the #1 fantasy tool for all dynasty players.
