In the 19th of a 32-part series, we are featuring all National Football League teams with a prediction of where each team will finish within their division, key off-season acquisitions and their top fantasy stars. Here are the Los Angeles Rams.
Key Off-Season Acquisitions
The Rams signed three notable free agents in the offseason. In are wide receiver Davante Adams, defensive tackle Poona Ford and center Coleman Shelton.
Adams of East Palo Alto, California, is replacing Cooper Kupp of Yakima, Washington, who signed with the Seattle Seahawks. The six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver has signed a two-year deal worth $44 million. Adams is joining his fourth NFL franchise after eight seasons with the Green Bay Packers (2014 to 2021), three seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders (2022 to 2024), and one season with the New York Jets (2024). This past season with the Raiders and Jets, Adams had 85 catches for 1063 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.
Ford of Hilton Head, South Carolina signed a three-year contract worth $27.6 million. The 5’11”, 310 pound defensive lineman from the University of Texas is joining his fourth NFL franchise after five seasons with thee Seahawks (2018 to 2022), and one year each with the Buffalo Bills (2023), and Los Angeles Chargers (2024). In 17 games with the Chargers last season, Ford had 39 combined tackles (24 solo tackles and 15 assisted tackles), eight tackles for a loss, nine quarterback hits, one interception for three yards, three sacks and five pass deflections. The interception came in a 22-10 Chargers win over the Raiders on September 8.
Shelton of Pasadena, California is returning to the Rams after spending five seasons there from 2019 to 2023 and winning a Super Bowl in 2022. Last season Shelton played for the Chicago Bears. His new contract with the Rams is two years and $12 million.
Fantasy Star
Kyren Williams of St. Louis, Missouri is a Pro Bowler who is ranked sixth at running back. He had 316 rushes for 1299 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, along with 34 catches for 182 receiving yards and two touchdowns. The first touchdown catch was for 15 yards from Matt Stafford and came in a 27-24 Rams win over the San Francisco 49ers on September 22, and the second touchdown catch was for five yards from Stafford and came in a 30-20 Rams win over the Minnesota Vikings on October 24.
Projected Finish
The Rams won the NFC West last season at 10 wins and seven losses. When healthy, I still think the San Francisco 49ers are better. That is why I have the Rams finishing in second place this year.
