Fantasy Football Player Notes

Puka Nacua is so clearly the alpha in the Rams passing game. 9 catches for 181 yards and 2 TDs on 10 targets (29%) with 100 yards coming after the catch in his final game of his rookie season, capped off a historic rookie campaign that saw him break the receptions and receiving yards records for a first-year player. In his 18 games played, Nacua posted a 29% target share and 15.3 points per game (4th among all WRs). First in yards after the catch, 3rd in receiving EPA and 14th in weighted opportunity. Nacua will miss the remainder of the preseason with a knee injury, but it is not expected to influence his availability for Week 1.

Williams was a revelation in 2023 as he quickly kicked Cam Akers to the curb, taking over the starting job in Week 2. Williams was the RB2 in fantasy points per game, ranking fourth in red zone touches, first in snap share, and fourth in opportunity share. Among 68 qualifying backs, he ranked 25th in missed tackles forced per attempt and 27th in yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). Despite his smaller frame, Sean McVay had no issues leaning on Williams as his bellcow. In Weeks 2-17, he averaged 22.3 touches and 117.8 total yards playing at least 72% of the snaps in ten of 11 games played. The only knock on Williams' usage last season was his pass-game role. Despite entering the NFL as a ballyhooed passing down back, Williams only ranked 18th in target share and 58th in yards per route run (among 60 qualifying backs). Even with the addition of Blake Corum to the roster, Williams should remain the leadback. The recent news of Williams shouldering punt return duties is slightly worrisome, but he remains a borderline RB1.

Many will point to the injuries Cooper Kupp has dealt with throughout the season, as a reason to be concerned about him moving forward. He hasn't looked like himself all season and he will be 31 in 2024. He's missed an average of six games over the last two seasons. A lot of his production was salvaged by his 5 receiving TDs. Posted a career-low yards per route run (1.77). Kupp was WR27 in points per game in 2023 despite a 26% target share.

I have my worries about Corum, but the Rams investing third-round draft capital in him was interesting. Corum's yards after contact per attempt, breakaway percentage, and elusive ratings fell in each of his final three collegiate seasons (per PFF). That's not exactly the trend line that you want to have entering the NFL, but the Rams' third-round investment in the Michigan product is a decent vote of confidence that Corum can possibly get back to his 2021 form (24th in yards after contact per attempt per PFF). I doubt Corum is taking passing down snaps away from Kyren Williams, but he could help spell him on early downs and salt away the clock late in games. Corum is a high-end handcuff only right now.

Coming up on his age-36 season, Matthew Stafford is in the twilight of his NFL career, but his performance in 2023 suggests that he still has gas left in the tank. Stafford averaged 264.3 passing yards, 1.6 TD passes and 16.9 fantasy points per game last season. He benefitted from the emergence of rookie WR Puka Nacua, and if Cooper Kupp can stay healthy, Stafford will have one of the better WR duos in the league. Stafford is interception-prone and has only slightly more mobility than the Statue of Liberty, but his talents as a passer should keep him fantasy-relevant in 2024.

Demarcus Robinson will reprise the role as the Rams WR3 in 2024 when L.A. runs in 11 personnel.

Jordan Whittington caught five passes for 52 yards on eight targets in Preseason Week 2. The rookie WR is the direct backup to Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. Jordan Rodriuge of the Athletic reinforced that Demarcus Robinson is still the clear Rams WR3 and is preferred by Matthew Stafford. But that's under the presumption that Kupp and Nacua are both healthy.