Camp Notes, Volume 11: Los Angeles Rams

Curtis Patrick Posted On August 19, 2017

Dynasty fantasy football is our beloved stripped-down approximation of the NFL. We are the head coaches and general managers of our teams, choosing who stays or goes, and who plays or sits. NFL Training Camps are perhaps the best opportunity we have on the dynasty calendar to project how useful our assets will be in the coming season, particularly when it comes to managing the bottom third of our roster. The better you know the rosters of every NFL team, the more prepared you’ll be to execute the corresponding dynasty moves when camp news breaks. I’m mining all the beat reports, team websites, and post-practice press conferences to bring you a comprehensive overview of what’s going on this summer in all 32 training camps.

Los Angeles Rams

Our 11th stop on the 2017 DLF Training Camp Tour is with the Los Angeles Rams.

The team’s identity has been overhauled in the past year, starting at the top; Jeff Fisher is gone and Sean McVay (former Washington Redskins offensive coordinator) is in. Los Angeles is doing everything it can to help Jared Goff succeed under his new, offensive-minded leader. The team added three new pass catchers in the early to mid-rounds of the NFL draft and traded for Sammy Watkins as part of a three-team blockbuster.

screen shot 2017 08 18 at 20.27.50

Los Angeles Rams rookies reported on July 26 and veterans have been in camp since July 28.

Goff had one of the worst rookie seasons ever for a quarterback, statistically speaking. However, the talent that made him a top selection in 2016 is still there, and he now gets a chance for a do-over in a more quarterback-friendly system and with significantly upgraded skill players surrounding him. Goff is getting a chance to make more high-percentage throws and was crisp in his preseason debut, completing three of four pass attempts for 34 yards. He will almost certainly rise form his dynasty QB24 ranking and current undrafted ADP status over the course of the season.

Todd Gurley has seen his dynasty stock slip dramatically and is at somewhat of a crossroads. He should see fewer eight-man fronts thanks to the addition of Watkins, however the team did not upgrade the offensive line to the degree many dynasty owners would have liked to have seen. In joint practices with the Los Angeles Chargers, Gurley was able to kick it outside for some big runs. McVay sees the running back as bringing a “violent” edge and is expecting big things this season. Given the strength of the defense, Gurley should have plenty of chances early in games to accrue volume. I’m cautiously optimistic about a return to 2014 form.

Watkins will have to quickly adapt, having missed more than half of training camp. However, he is by far the most talented wide receiver on the team and will be the WR1 as soon as he knows enough of the playbook. I am also projecting him to lead the team in targets; I think McVay will make better use of Watkins all over the field than any of the play callers Watkins has worked with to this point in his career. It looks like Watkins and Goff are off to a good start with timing and chemistry.

.@JaredGoff16 @sammywatkins! #RamsCamp pic.twitter.com/O2HsznOWlz

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) August 15, 2017

Robert Woods is headed for being borderline un-startable for fantasy purposes again in a crowded wide receiver corps. He’s been targeted down the field in camp, so he may be more of a boom or bust type player in games where the team is trailing. His stock was impacted more than any of the other receivers by the Watkins signing.

Cooper Kupp is entrenching himself as the slot receiver, which bodes extremely well for his fantasy prospects. McVay turned Jamison Crowder into a fantasy darling over the past two seasons in the same role. Based on what I’ve read, I think a line of 60/750/6 is within reach for Kupp in his rookie campaign. Tavon Austin has been sidelined for much of camp, so there’s not much to know about how he might be utilized in this offense. I’m placing my bets elsewhere in this group. Josh Reynolds has made great strides in the past week after returning from a quadriceps injury. He’s been working with both the first-team and the second-team. It sounds like McVay is happy with him as a deep threat.

Second-year tight end Tyler Higbee and rookie Gerald Everett need to be monitored closely throughout the rest of the preseason and in September. McVay’s history suggests the position will be a primary part of the passing game, so whoever emerges as the starter will be not only worth owning in dynasty, but could have more upside than you might think. Higbee has been heavily targeted by Goff throughout camp and looks to have the edge in the competition right now, but both players are being used on the first team. Everett is making the most of his extra reps with the second team and his first team work, particularly in end zone packages. Reading the tea leaves, I expect Higbee to begin the season as the starter and get a chance to solidify himself in the role. If he doesn’t produce, Everett will get early looks due to his second-round pedigree.

Possible Cuts (among dynasty relevant players): none

Projected ADP Risers

Players Who Will Rise 1 or more rounds in startup ADP by the end of the 2017 Season: Jared Goff, Cooper Kupp

Projected ADP Fallers

Players Who Will Fall 1 or more rounds in startup ADP by the end of the 2017 Season: Robert Woods

Waiver Wire Watch List (players with ADP >240): Tyler Higbee