Rams pivot to a defense-first identity as staff churn looms. Chris Shula appears set to depart, with Aubrey Pleasant targeting DC jobs and internal coaches lined up for potential promotions. The defense has powered wins since last season, forcing hard cap decisions around core pieces—Lake, Landman, Williams, Curl, and Young—while Turner and Nacua push for new deals amid 2025 payroll questions.

Lake’s joker-role versatility and Landman’s leadership bind the unit, but both are on expiring deals. Darious Williams’ hefty cap hit could trigger his exit, while Curl’s prime age makes him a highly valued asset. Young remains a rising piece; Turner and Nacua must be weighed against the payroll. The Rams must decide which extensions solidify the long-term base and which talents to replace, shaping both present defensive performance and future fantasy upside.

Front-office decisions will determine whether the Rams sustain momentum or reconfigure their core. With Speights under a rookie deal and the 2023-24 draft class as leverage points, the team will balance cost, production, and youth. The outcome will set the ceiling for Rams defenders and redefine fantasy projections for next season.

Week 1’s NFL All-Star offense and defense deliver a blueprint for fantasy success: Josh Allen powers the Bills’ 41-40 comeback with 394 passing yards and dual threat scores, while Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley anchor the backfield. Puka Nacua, Zay Flowers and Jaxon Smith-Njigba headline the receivers, Brock Bowers shines at TE amid a Week 1 injury, and the O-line trio Alt-Membou-Vorhees-Goncalves with Erik McCoy paves the way. Defenders Myles Garrett, Nnamdi Madubuike, Ed Oliver and Nick Bosa pace the line, with Roquan Smith, Devin White and Harold Landry at LB and a sturdy secondary led by Adebo, Wright, Love and Curl. Special teams shine in Boswell, Cooke and Dike’s performances.

PFF marks 20 years of grading with a fresh Commanders all-time look, led by Jayden Daniels as the 2024 franchise QB and a cast of Washington icons across offense and defense. The list spotlights Alfred Morris, Terry McLaurin, Pierre Garcon, Antwaan Randle El, Jordan Reed, and a line anchored by Trent Williams and Morgan Moses, plus elite pass rush from Chase Young and Montez Sweat. Jonathan Allen and Kamren Curl anchor inside/outside, with Sean Taylor, LaRon Landry and Kendall Fuller adding late-round star power. A victory lap for Washington’s positional diversity and a hint at dynasty upside for fantasy managers who chase elite grading and durability.

Daniels’ 90.6 in 2024 underscores the value of a clean, dynamic offense—great for fantasy managers eyeing a quarterback with high per-play efficiency. The offensive line stars, WRs McLaurin and Garcon, plus Reed at tight end, map out a multi-layer target tree, while the defensive front and backfield pieces offer intriguing IDP angles. Washington’s 12-5 surge and NFC Championship run in 2024 act as a fantasy narrative pivot: sustained pass protection, elevated run game, and opportunistic defense could translate into steady weekly points if the system remains intact.

Rams deploy a young, relentless front to redefine its defense, with Poona Ford anchoring the middle and Jared Verse, Braden Fiske, Kobie Turner pushing the edge. Emmanuel Forbes Jr. revives the secondary, while Quentin Lake, Kamren Curl, Kamren Kinchens and Jaylen McCollough bring multi-positional versatility behind the rush. Week 1 at SoFi vs Houston tests the run-stopping interior and the QB-pressure plan before a Week 3 duel with Barkley and the Eagles.

Despite last season’s statistical climb, L.A.’s front-loaded approach signals a potential turnaround in sacks and quarterback disruption. The opener and Philly matchup could catalyze early fantasy value for Rams pass-rushers and versatile DBs as the Rams aim to transform a 26th-ranked defense into opportunistic containors of big plays.

Shaun Dolac’s odds to win a Rams roster spot look brighter after he spent training camp running with the first-team defense. A video glimpse suggested the rookie LB was the next man up behind Landman and Speights, a sign the Rams trust his versatility. With one preseason game left against Cleveland, a light snap count would likely seal the deal; heavy involvement could mean a defensive role later in the year. Dolac’s Buffalo resume—168 tackles and 177 interception-return yards in 2024—adds to the tally of under-the-radar contributors pushing for a spot, even if his primary role starts on special teams. The Rams have options at ILB, but Dolac’s trajectory remains positive as August closes.