Five Biggest Questions
1. Is Jared Goff draftable in two-QB leagues?
2. Will Todd Gurley rebound with top 16 RB numbers?
3. Is Tavon Austin startable in deep leagues?
4. Is Robert Woods startable in most leagues?
5. Can Gerald Everett make a fantasy impact?
The Rams averaged only 14 points per game last season--the NFL's most futile effort since 2012. Their franchise running back averaged 3.2 yards per carry. Their alleged franchise quarterback averaged 5.3 yards per attempt. If these twin centerpieces falter again in 2017, will the team need to undergo yet another rebuilding process? At least one half of that scenario is realistic--that 2016's #1 overall draft pick Jared Goff will not progress enough this season to inspire confidence in both the real and fantasy worlds. Until something dramatic happens, Goff will be a liability whose ineffectiveness will be felt all across the field (and particularly on the Rams' side of the field, where Goff will spend most of his time).
Widely touted as the best fantasy RB last summer, Todd Gurley went from an 1,106-yard, 10-TD, 4.8 YPC rookie season to a complete face-plant. He surpassed 4.0 YPC in only one of 16 games--a 4.1 YPC performance that accounted for only 58 yards on the ground. Nine times he ran below 3.2 YPC. If he were not the organization's most prized asset (based on upside), Gurley would have been benched midseason. His 15th most RB fantasy points were due to getting 300+ touches and all the goal-line looks he could handle. Surely he can't be that bad again. Or can he? His RB-11 ADP and average #10 ranking among 43 Fantasy Pros-compiled experts suggest Gurley will be more relevant this year. While I anticipate a rebound, last season showed the limitations of a talented RB when defenders know stopping him equates to stopping drives. Goff isn't good enough (yet?) to keep D's honest. Locking up Gurley is a recipe for success, and there's little the Rams can do to counter this game plan. I'll take Gurley after the first 10-12 RBs are off the board because of his RB2 floor. But I hope an opponent takes him early.
The offseason departures of Kenny Britt, Brian Quick, and Lance Kendricks remove nearly two-thirds of the Rams' 2016 receiving yards and more than 70% of their receiving TDs. 2013 first-round bust Tavon Austin--who somehow is signed through 2021--will be tasked with building on his back-to-back WR5/6 seasons. Robert Woods--who wasn't much better in four seasons in Buffalo--is expected to be his new team's #1 receiver. Neither is positioned to succeed, though their ADPs (WR-71 and WR-66, respectively) suggest potential buying opportunities. If Woods earns even 80% of Kenny Britt's 2016 production, he'll be a back-end WR4 with streaming potential. Slightly better numbers will make him draftable as a WR3/4. I trust him more than Austin and would advise managers to use a late-round pick on him. Beyond Austin and Woods, rookie Cooper Kupp is organizational depth who's looking at 250-350 yards this year unless thrust into an early-season, every-down starting role.
Los Angeles's best offseason move might have been drafting TE Gerald Everett. While it could take a year or two for the team to improve enough to take advantage of his talents, Everett could carve out top 20 TE numbers if Goff and the coaching staff consistently utilize the rookie's size and athleticism. At three targets per game, he's obviously worthless. At five targets per game, Everett could become a TD-dependent TE2, which isn't a bad option during bye weeks.