The NFL landscape changes yearly. The variance spreads from free agent signings, NFL Draft picks, coaching hires and more. Understanding what a team’s offensive scheme could look like and meshing that with relevant nuggets from the previous year helps shape our view of teams and players for the upcoming season.
That’s where this series will come in handy. Discussing pace, red zone usage, deep passing and everything in-between, I’m venturing down the rabbit hole to provide context for all 32 NFL teams and the fantasy football players you’ll select this year.
NFC East
- Philadelphia Eagles Stats to Know & Top Takeaways
- Dallas Cowboys Stats to Know & Top Takeaways
- New York Giants Stats to Know & Top Takeaways
- Washington Commander Stats to Know & Top Takeaways
NFC North
- Green Bay Packers Stats to Know & Top Takeaways
- Minnesota Vikings Stats to Know & Top Takeaways
- Detroit Lions Stats to Know & Top Takeaways
- Chicago Bears Stats to Know & Top Takeaways
NFC South
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers Stats to Know & Top Takeaways
- Carolina Panthers Stats to Know & Top Takeaways
- Dallas Cowboys Stats to Know & Top Takeaways
- Dallas Cowboys Stats to Know & Top Takeaways
NFC West
*All data utilized in this article courtesy of FantasyPros, PFF, and Football Outsiders. Rotoviz and Playerprofiler.com unless otherwise specified.*
Beyond our fantasy football content, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you prepare for your draft this season. From our free mock Draft Simulator – which allows you to mock draft against realistic opponents – to our Draft Assistant – that optimizes your picks with expert advice – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football draft season.
Los Angeles Rams Fantasy Football Stats to Know:
- Last year Matthew Stafford ranked third in deep attempts and led the NFL in deep passing yards.
- In 2021 the Rams had the ninth-highest passing rate inside the 20-yard line. From 2018-2020 the Rams ranked sixth, fifth and second in red zone rushing rate.
- Cooper Kupp was tied as the highest graded receiver on deep targets. The previous season Allen Robinson was immediately ahead of Gabriel Davis as the fifth-highest.
- Over the last two seasons, Darrell Henderson has ranked 36th and 47th in yards created per touch.
- Stafford was electric under pressure last season, ranking sixth in pressured passer rating and third in big-time throws.
- Before 2021, Robinson finished 15th, 31st and 30th in yards per route run among wide receivers (minimum 50 targets).
- Tutu Atwell‘s 2019 collegiate yards per route run (4.33) was the fourth-highest mark among wide receivers over the last five years (minimum 50 targets).
- In 2020, Cam Akers ranked 22nd in yards after contact per attempt, immediately ahead of Jonathan Taylor.
Los Angeles Rams Top Fantasy Football Takeaways
The Rams were an explosive highwire act last season. Sean McVay gave Stafford the green light to chuck the ball deep at will. With Kupp and Robinson leading the way, that should continue again in 2022.
Before his lost 2021 season, Robinson was one of the league’s best deep threats. While we were all surprised by the Rams’ selection of Atwell in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, that doesn’t mean he isn’t immensely talented. Atwell might never command a high target share in the NFL, but if Van Jefferson isn’t ready to start the season, Atwell could surprise this year, especially in the early going.
While the downfield throws should continue this year, assuming Stafford’s arm issues can be managed, the Rams’ red zone offense could be different. McVay has been a run zealot when the team has gotten in close before 2021. Akers’ touchdown upside in this offense is gigantic if that returns. Despite rumors that the backfield could be split this year, McVay has displayed a yearning for a full-time feature back.
Last year a Los Angeles running back logged at least 73% of snaps played in 64% of games. Akers still has to prove he can regain his rookie season juice. Still, even Akers at 85% can be a more efficient rusher than Henderson and possibly grab the bell cow role in this offense.
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If you want to dive deeper into fantasy football, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you navigate your season. From our Start/Sit Assistant – which provides your optimal lineup, based on accurate consensus projections – to our Waiver Wire Assistant – that allows you to quickly see which available players will improve your team and by how much – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football season.
