Geno Smith joins Las Vegas to stabilize a shaky quarterback room, aiming for a more productive passing game and clearer fantasy paths for Raiders receivers.

Brennan Jackson adds depth, while Crosby's leadership and a competitive, new scheme hint at improved LV fantasy output across offense and defense.

Las Vegas raiders add Brennan Jackson via waivers, a Washington State product who flashed as a 2024 Rams fifth-rounder and produced at the 2025 preseason level. He pressured Justin Herbert on a red-zone third down, showing speed off the edge and a willingness to drop into coverage. The move immediately injects another speed option on the line, potentially speeding up the Raiders’ pass rush rotation.

Jackson joins Mad Maxx Crosby and Tyree Wilson to form a dynamic front. With Patrick Graham scheming multiple looks, Jackson’s ability to bend, finish, and drop into coverage could create consistent pressure on top quarterbacks like Herbert and Mahomes, while Bo Nix’s mention underscores the division’s heavy quarterback talent. If he translates preseason success to the regular season, he could become a disruptive factor early.

Viewed as a Day-3 gem who learned under Crosby’s path, Jackson’s motor and length could accelerate his development in Las Vegas. For fantasy and DFS, early sub-packages and spurts of sacks are plausible, making him worthy of watch in deeper leagues as he climbs his learning curve alongside a veteran mentor.

Rams cut Derion Kendrick, Brennan Jackson, Willie Lampkin and Charles Woods on Wednesday. Kendrick was claimed by Seattle; Jackson by Las Vegas; Lampkin by Philadelphia; Woods by New England. Rams kept 9 defensive backs and 10 offensive linemen on their initial 53. The waiver churn reshapes late-round fantasy upside across SEA, LV, PHI, and NE, with immediate implications for depth charts and special-teams roles.

Fantasy watchers should monitor depth charts and injury dynamics, as these moves can unlock sleeper options and streaming plays when teams reassess after roster cuts.

The Los Angeles Rams cut 34 players, including seven who are most likely to be claimed on waivers: Chris Paul Jr., Willie Lampkin IV, Brennan Jackson, Tanner Ingle, Cam Lampkin, Brennan Presley, and Cody Schrader. With a 16-man practice squad to guard against immediate claims, the Rams still risk losing depth as other teams evaluate their preseason impressions. The churn creates immediate shifts on the depth chart and could shape practice-squad signings and early-season special-teams roles.

Among the seven, Paul Jr. stands out as a fifth-round rookie whose athletic ceiling could attract surprise claims. Lampkin IV, Jackson, Ingle, Lampkin, Presley, and Schrader each carried a blend of trait appeal, preseason flashes, and versatility that make them attractive targets for rosters in need of depth at linebacker, edge, and skill positions. Expect the Rams to monitor waiver outcomes closely and pivot quickly on the 53-man roster and practice squad landscape.

Los Angeles Rams waived Brennan Jackson, a 2024 fifth-round edge, after a sparse rookie year in which he played 7 games and posted 3 tackles with no sacks. In the preseason, Jackson flashed with 3 sacks on 63 rush snaps but didn’t win consistently, sealing his fate as the team pushes for improved edge depth. His departure paves the way for Nick Hampton to grab a 53-man roster spot, a move underscored by Hampton being held out of the final preseason game.

The Rams have already moved on from 12 players and still must pare down to 53 by Tuesday, leaving 25 cuts to come. Sean McVay indicated he knows the 53-man roster but wouldn’t reveal it yet, highlighting the ongoing evaluation phase that fantasy managers should monitor for late-round edge options and waiver-wire potential.

From a fantasy lens, Hampton’s status is the key verse. If he wins a steady rotational role, he could become a worthwhile late-draft/waiver target in deeper leagues or DFS on weeks with favorable matchups. The Jackson cut signals athletic competition at the position and keeps an eye on how the Rams finalize their defensive front ahead of Week 1.