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Los Angeles Rams Late August Scouting Report
Layton Pang
8/30/2018
Let the real games begin! After dropping their first pre-season game, the Rams have won two in a row as they head to New Orleans to conclude the pre-season. HC Sean McVay has not played any of his offensive starters except for OG Jamon Brown who is suspended the first two regular season games. McVay felt the starting offense got enough work through practices and scrimmages and did not want to risk any injury. The starting defense played two series in the third pre-season game against the Texans and was very successful. The first series was a three and out and the second series produced an interception. The defense can be special this year, especially when DT Aaron Donald joins the unit. McVay and GM Les Snead acknowledged that a contract extension was close to being finalized so there is a good possibility the Donald returns in time to paly week one. With Fantasy Drafts in full swing, let’s take a look at the Fantasy positions and how I rank them heading into the regular season.
QB: QB Jared Goff is a franchise quarterback who put up strong numbers last season. He is a decent QB1 with potential to produce top five numbers in this offense. I would be very comfortable having Jared as my starter, especially at his lower draft position. In Keeper and Dynasty leagues his value is even higher. QB Sean Mannion is currently the backup with a challenge from QB Brandon Allen. Neither has any fantasy value so you don’t have to worry about drafting either.
RB: RB Todd Gurley is my number one overall selection and a consensus top three running back in any format. RB Malcom Brown has been the number two behind Gurley with rookie RB John Kelly playing third in pre-season games. Unfortunately, RB Justin Davis got injured after an impressive debut in the first pre-season game and might not make the final roster. Even though Brown is the current number two, Kelly has more upside and I think is the better "handcuff" to Gurley. If you draft Todd, you might consider taking Kelly as your last running back and hope you never have to use him.
WR: WR Bradin Cooks, WR Robert Woods, and WR Cooper Kupp are the locked in starters and all could produce good numbers this season. Based on contract status, Cooks is the highest ranked receiver. I consider him a solid WR2. Kupp has a special rapport Goff and could lead the team in receptions. Cooper should be drafted as a lower end WR2 with potential to produce high end WR2 numbers. He would be an excellent WR3. Woods was having a really good season last year before injuring his shoulder. He is 100% healthy but appears to be third in the pecking order of starting receivers. Robert might be the last of the Rams starters drafted but he could lead them in production. A high-ceiling WR3 is how I rank Woods. No other Ram receiver should be drafted for your Fantasy team unless you get points for return yards, then you can consider WR Pharoh Cooper.
TE: Even though Los Angeles has the number one scoring offense in 2017, the tight end position was not that productive. TE Gerald Everett was supposed to blossom in his second season; however, a shoulder injury has delayed his progress. TE Tyler Higbee has been the starter since last year and could be a sleeper late in drafts. TE Temarrick Hemingway is back after missing all last season with injury, but he has not been impressive and has no Fantasy value.
K: PK Greg Zuerlein is back should be one of the top kickers in Fantasy (and real) Football. Take him if you have the opportunity. PK Sam Ficken has been kicking and punting for the Rams this pre-season but most likely won’t make the final roster.
DEF: This defense has stars on the line and in the secondary but is still trying to establish the linebacker corps. For Fantasy leagues that use Team Defenses, the Rams should be one of the tops in the NFL. For leagues that use Independent Defensive Players (IDP) it will depend on your league’s format. If you have position specific rosters, then DL Aaron Donald, DL Ndamukong Suh, and DL Michael Brockers could all be viable while players in the secondary would also be tempting. Linebacker is usually the most productive IDP position. The Rams do not have any stars at linebacker, but they do have a few players who could produce much higher numbers than their draft position would indicate. LB Samson Ebukam and LB Corey Littleton are deep sleepers that most Fantasy Owners (outside of Rams fans) would not consider drafting. The Rams are counting on Ebukam and Littleton to take over for former Ram stars Robert Quinn and Alec Ogletree respectively. You could wait until the end of your draft to select them and they have the talent and potential to be very productive.
With the regular season a little more than a week away and Fantasy Drafts taking place, it is a very exciting time for football fans. With all of the moves the Rams made in the off-season, there is much anticipation for this team. Hopefully Donald gets his extension and is available for week one and Los Angeles builds on the success it had in 2017. Good luck to everyone drafting and best wishes for a successful 2018 season (except for my competitors in my leagues haha!). Love and blessings to my family. Miss you Pops! Aloha!
End.
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