2026 Team Outlook: Los Angeles Rams

QB Ty Simpson, LAR - Not Draft Worthy

Simpson spent his first three seasons at Alabama riding the bench, completing just 29 of 50 passes for 381 yards without a touchdown or interception. When his opportunity finally came, he made the most of it, leading the SEC in both completions (305) and attempts (473) while finishing with 3,567 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and five interceptions on a 64.5% completion rate. His contributions as a runner were minimal, netting just 93 yards on 90 carries with two scores. The translation to the NFL comes with real questions. Tighter windows and faster pass rushers at the professional level will expose some of the same tendencies that were manageable in college. Simpson can be effective when the play design gets him to his target on time and on

rhythm, but bigger, more disruptive defensive fronts will create negative situations he hasn't consistently faced. Simpson will likely live in the short and intermediate areas of the field, where his feel for timing routes and touch as a passer gives him a chance to move the chains. There's more athleticism in his legs than his rushing numbers suggest, but his game is fundamentally built around reading the field and delivering the ball in sync with his receivers rather than creating with his feet. His physical profile is a limitation. At 6'1" and 210 pounds, Simpson is undersized for the position by NFL standards, and his arm projects as average at best — enough to execute a well-schemed offense, but not a weapon that will stress defenses on its own. His ceiling here is modest, and early struggles in a pro system should be expected. Fantasy Outlook: The Rams fought for Simpson with the 13th overall pick in the first round of the 2026 Draft. Their coaching staff is excited about his future, while my take suggests development time before becoming a trusted NFL starter.

TE Max Klare, LAR - Not Draft Worthy

Coming off his best college season in 2024 (51/685/4 across 12 games at Purdue), Klare chased a payday to conference rival Ohio State for his final year of eligibility. The move didn't translate into a featured role, finishing with 43 catches for 448 yards and two touchdowns while

operating as the third option in a loaded receiving room behind Jeremiah Smith (87/1,243/12) and Carnell Tate (51/875/9). Klare is a fairly conventional tight end prospect. He's most dangerous working the second and third levels of a defense on seam routes, and offenses will look to exploit him on crossing patterns where he can create size mismatches against linebackers and pick up yards after the catch. His route running is polished, but his hands can get unreliable when he's absorbing contact at the catch point. Blocking is the area that needs the most development. Klare needs to add strength before he can be trusted as a reliable presence at the point of attack. Fantasy Outlook: Based on last season, Klare should work his way into a rotational role for the Rams at the tight end position. His pedigree should move him up the depth chart quickly with success on the field.

1. WR Puka Nacua, LAR - Stud (low risk)

When Nacua entered the NFL in 2023, concerns surrounded his ability to beat press coverage off the line, and his straight-line speed wasn't seen as good enough to threaten defenses vertically. Those limitations pushed him to the fifth round. What he did bring to the table was Year WRC SPT WYD YD% YC TGT TD 2025 243 0.626 3262 0.69 13.42 367 27 2024 268 0.730 3357 0.82 12.53 404 17 2023 251 0.695 3288 0.76 13.10 397 18 Los Angeles Rams

smooth, rhythmic route running that leaned on his frame, strong hands, and an ability to create yards after contact. His final two seasons at BYU told a promising story — 91 receptions for 1,430 yards and 11 touchdowns on 141 targets, plus 39 carries for 357 yards and five more scores on the ground. Looking back, I made the mistake of fixating on his draft-day red flags rather than taking a fuller look at what made him dangerous. The late- round tag caused me to cut my evaluation short, and I paid for it when he emerged as a legitimate fantasy difference-maker in his rookie season. When Cooper Kupp went down early in 2023, Nacua wasted no time announcing himself — erupting in three of his first four games (10/119, 15/147, and 9/163/1) on a diet of elite targets (15, 20, and 10). His workload thinned out from Week 6 through Week 18, with eight or fewer targets in nine of 12 starts, producing four forgettable outings (4/26, 3/43, 3/32, and 4/27). Even so, Nacua delivered five standout performances during that stretch (7/71/1, 8/154, 4/105/1, 9/164/1, and 9/181/1), the last of which came in the playoffs. He closed the season as the fourth-highest scoring wide receiver in PPR formats (298.50 points) and ranked sixth league-wide in targets (160). In 2024, a knee issue that surfaced in August practice shadowed him into the regular season, forcing him off the field after 25 snaps in Week 1 (4/42) and keeping him sidelined for the next five weeks. Once healthy, Nacua turned into one of the league's most productive receivers over his next 10 games (7/111, 9/98, 7/123/1, 9/117, 5/63/1, 12/180/2, 7/109, 8/56, and 10/129). That run produced 196.30 PPR points across nine starts (21.81 per game). The Rams continued to lean on him in the postseason, feeding him 23 targets across two playoff games (5/51 and 6/97).

Heading into the 2025 fantasy football draft season, I had Nacua ranked as the top wideout, and he rewarded my outlook with that finish despite missing one game (ankle injury). He kicked in the fantasy door to open last year by delivering five consecutive elite showings (10/131, 8/136/1, 11/118, 13/170/1, and 10/85/1) while averaging 12.2 targets. After an early exit in Week 6, a missed start, and a bye week, Nacua strung together five steady showings (7/98/1, 5/64/1, 7/93, 7/97, and 6/72). Other than his game (5/62) in the division round of the playoffs, he was a winning beast in six more contests (7/167/2, 9/189, 12/225/2, 5/47/1, 10/100/1, 10/125/2, and 9/169/1) across his final eight starts. Nacua was the second-most-valuable skill fantasy player (RB, WR, or TE) – 376.00 PPR fantasy points. Over his 19 games (including the playoffs), he caught 153 of his 208 passes (73.6%) for 2,047 yards and 12 touchdowns while also having 16 rushes for 129 yards and two more scores. (23.92 FFPG). Fantasy Outlook: Nacua is the second-ranked wide receiver in the high- stakes market in late June, with an explosive skill set and elite pass- catching opportunity. Over his 44 NFL games, he’s averaged 7.1 catches for 101 yards and 0.48 touchdowns per game (20.08 PPR fantasy points). On the downside, his starting quarterback (Matthew Stafford) comes off a career season while starting 2026 at age 38. Last summer, Stafford battled a back issue in late July and in August, but stayed on the field to take 1,332 of the Rams’ 1,350 snaps. Nacua is in a contract year, with a big pay raise on the horizon. He had some off-the-field issues over the past year that raised some red flags, which may be a hint that Los Angeles would rather franchise him than lock him up for a long-term deal. Nacua could also leverage his position by holding out. He’s slated to make about $5.7 million this year, while other top wideouts are making close to $40 million.

With 17 games played, Nacua has the opportunity to break the NFL record in catches (149) and receiving yards (1,964) while having another gear in scoring. As much as he looks like a sure thing, there are enough signs to suggest that 2026 doesn’t go as well as last season.

11. PK Harrison Mevis, LAR - Bye Week Fill-in

Mevis took over the Rams’ kicking job in Week 10 last year. Over his 12 games, he made 18 of his 19 field goals (94.7%) while going 2-for-2 from 50 yards or more. All 48 of his extra points went through the uprights. Over four seasons at Missouri, Mevis connected on 84% of his 106 field goals, with a long of 61 yards. He failed to make the Panthers in 2024, and the Jets released him before the season last year. Fantasy Outlook: Los Angeles created 28 field goal attempts last year while scoring 65 touchdowns. Mevis brings an unknown ceiling to the kicker position in the fantasy market. He plays for a high-scoring team, but the Rams must give him more chances from

long range to rank with the best kickers in the league. I view him as a sneaky waiver wire leg.

16. QB Matthew Stafford, LAR - Quality Backup

In the five seasons before joining the Rams, Stafford operated as a league-average quarterback, throwing 119 touchdowns against 46 interceptions over 72 games while averaging 265.7 passing yards per start. His arrival in Los Angeles immediately elevated his game. Stafford matched his career-high with 41 touchdown passes in 2021, completed Teams RATT YDS Run% ATT YDS Pass% Plays Yards Los Angeles Rams 465 2129 0.438 597 4707 0.562 1062 6836

67.2% of his throws, and benefited from a receiving corps built to attack defenses vertically — producing a league-leading 18 completions of 40 or more yards. He topped 300 passing yards in nine of his 20 appearances (including playoffs) and reached three touchdown passes in nine regular-season games. His only weakness from a fantasy perspective was on the ground, where he contributed almost nothing (32 carries for 43 yards). The 2022 season unraveled quickly. Over nine starts before a neck injury ended his year after Week 11, Stafford produced just one usable fantasy outing (272/3). His completion rate (68.0%) was actually a career best, but nearly everything else moved in the wrong direction. His pass attempts per game declined, his sack rate nearly doubled from 4.8% to 8.7%, and his yards per attempt dropped a full 1.2 yards from his 2021 mark of 8.1 down to 6.9. Stafford had new concerns in 2023. He posted his lowest completion rate (62.6%) since 2014, a drop tied in part to the Rams' minimal investment in their backs as passing targets (48/344/3 on only 69 targets). Stafford opened the year with three 300-yard performances (334, 307, and 319) over his first four starts, but managed only two combined touchdown passes across those games. From Week 5 through Week 15, he averaged 31.9 pass attempts and 232 yards per game while finding a better rhythm in the touchdown column (18 scores over nine games). He closed strong (328/2, 317/1, and 367/2) before the Rams rested him in the finale. A thumb injury cost him Week 9. For the third straight year, Stafford was a fantasy disappointment in 2024, finishing 19th among quarterbacks with 263.30 points. He delivered just two winning fantasy performances (275/4 and 295/4) and surpassed 300 passing yards in three other outings (317/1, 320/2, and 324/2). Los Angeles averaged 32.3 pass attempts per game with him under center.

After three dull fantasy seasons, Stafford posted his best year at age 37. He had a floor of two touchdowns in 17 of his 20 starts, including the postseason. Eight of those outcomes result in 29.00 or more fantasy points (375/3, 389/3, 182/5, 281/4, 280/4, 457/3, 259/4, and 374/3). Despite his success, Stafford scored fewer than 17.00 fantasy points in six matchups. His 46 passing touchdowns ranked seventh all-time. Fantasy Outlook: The Rams' offensive growth last year was tied to an elite wide receiver (Puka Nacua), high scoring from Davante Adams (14 TDs), and a progression in their tight end production (103/1,128/17 on 150 targets). His weapons paint another exciting year in passing yards, but players coming off career seasons tend not to repeat. Stafford ranks 11th at quarterback in the early draft season in the National Fantasy Football Championship. I sense that the Rams' offense could go sideways this year due to an injury or two. Stafford brings no value in the run game, which requires him to pass for 4,000 yards with about 34 touchdowns to rank in the top 12 at quarterback in 2026.

20. RB Kyren Williams, LAR - Solid/Safe Pick

An ankle injury in Week 1 led to Williams's missing seven games in his rookie season. He had minimal opportunity over his final nine matchups (35/139 and 9/76). His top output came in Week 12 (60 yards and three catches). In 2023, Williams stole the RB1 role for Los Angeles in Week 1 when the Rams had him on the field for 65% of their plays. His snap count was even better over the following five games (95%, 100%, 72%, 84%, Los Angeles Rams

and 82%). Over this span, he gained 561 combined yards with seven touchdowns and 13 catches on 110 touches (18.52 FPPG in PPR formats). Williams posted three impact fantasy days (28.00, 27.70, and 21.80). An ankle injury knocked him out of action for four weeks. From Week 12 to Week 17, LA gave Williams 25 touches a game, leading to 689 combined yards with eight touchdowns and 19 catches (24.31 FPPG). His ceiling rose even higher in two games (38.40 and 30.10 fantasy points) while also adding two more 20.00+ fantasy days (20.20 and 26.20). The Rams gave him the final game of the season off to get ready for the postseason. Williams settled into a volume grinder role in 2024, highlighted by his weakness in yards per rush (4.1), yards per catch (5.4), and only three of his 350 touches gained at least 20 yards. The Rams gave him 20 touches or more in 11 games, while scoring a touchdown in 11 matchups. Williams rushed for over 100 yards in four contests (22/102/1, 15/104/1, 29/108, and 23/122/1) while delivering one impact showing in fantasy points (31.60). The Rams had Williams on the field for 66.7% of their plays last season, down from 82.8% in 2024. He gained a career high in combined yards (1,533 yards) and catches (36) while continuing to have a high floor in touchdowns (13). Williams had a rebound in his yards per rush (4.8) and yards per catch (7.8). His best fantasy value came in Week 5 (32.10) and Week 20 (27.70). He scored 10.00 PPR fantasy points in 18 of his 20 starts. Williams finished ninth in fantasy points (265.30). Fantasy Outlook: In the early draft season in the National Fantasy Football League, Williams ranked 15th at running back with fourth- round ADP (40). With Blake Corum on the rise, the Rams will continue to rotate in two backs, suggesting some pullback in touches for

Williams. I’ll set his bar at 1,300 combined yards with double-digit scores and about 30 catches.