Sean McVay’s ninth season with the Rams hinges on Stafford staying healthy and the line keeping him upright. The Rams’ passing game looks rebuilt and primed for fantasy relevance, led by Nacua’s breakout to anchor the wide receiver corps while Adams steps in to replace Kupp. Williams remains the leading ground option, with Higbee and Parkinson commanding a deep tight end group. The offense still needs better pass protection to sustain big-play passing from a veteran passer.

The defense is building depth behind Verse and Young, with Stewart a rookie to watch for situational pressure. The Rams’ ceiling rides on Stafford’s clean pocket and the offense’s ability to sustain drives, but health and line play will determine whether they’re Super Bowl contenders or battling for a wild-card spot. For fantasy, Nacua, Adams, and Williams head the astronaut-level upside, while Higbee and Parkinson offer tight-end versatility in a high-volume attack.

Bottom line: Stafford’s health and Jackson’s durability are the two X-factors. If they cooperate, the offense can sustain top-10 fantasy production across multiple players; if not, the rotation around Adams and Nacua could become crowded sooner than expected.

Josaiah Stewart's preseason debut with the Rams showcased a potential early impact source off the edge. The Michigan product flashed a quick burst and balance, beating Hakeem Adeniji for a sack on Joe Milton and hinting at a role in Chris Shula's defense even before regular-season snaps.

Stewart's performance drew praise from NFL draft analyst Chad Reuter, who graded the outing a B+. While his length and mass remain question marks for run defense, his low center of gravity and hustle suggest he could contribute in subpackages and rotations as a rookie. Coverage lapses were noted, but the overall display signaled a legitimate fringe-edge option behind the Rams' deeper rush group.

In a crowded edge room, Stewart's ceiling appears tied to development in technique and consistency. The Rams seem intent on diversifying pressure, and this debut indicates Stewart could carve out a meaningful niche sooner rather than later, with a potential path to early-season snaps should he sustain the momentum.

Los Angeles Rams 53-man roster picture after the first preseason game vs. the Cowboys centers on Stafford’s health and a booming rookie-backed offense. Bennett’s best game yet adds a real backup option, while Kyren Williams leads a crowded backfield that includes Blake Corum and Cody Schrader in the RB mix. At receiver, Puka Nacua headlines a six-man group that also features Davante Adams and Tutu Atwell, with Xavier Smith providing return upside. The tight end room seems locked with Higbee and Allen spearheading a versatile group. On the line, Lampkin’s stay is pivotal; on defense, Verse, Turner, Fiske and Hampson anchor a front that should create enough volume for fantasy angles in deeper leagues. Special teams slot is essentially a lock with Karty, Evans and Ward.

Practically, fantasy managers should monitor how the Rams deploy 12 personnel and how the RBs carve out roles behind Williams. Bennett’s trajectory matters as a late-season stash if Stafford only plays a limited slate. Adams and Nacua look like reliable Week 1 staples, while Corum and Schrader bear watching in deeper formats as the Rams balance youth and experience. The initial roster projections emphasize depth and upside at multiple spots, with a handful of fringe players likely to land on the practice squad or surprise during cuts.

LA Rams opened the 2025 preseason with a 31-21 win over Dallas at SoFi Stadium, highlighting a blend of young playmakers and efficient QB play. Nate Valcarcel led the defense with nine total tackles, while Josaiah Stewart delivered the Rams’ lone sack in the second quarter. Blake Corum seized the No. 2 RB spot on the night, punching in two early rushing TDs to fuel a quick 14-0 lead. Stetson Bennett looked poised, finishing 16 of 24 for 188 yards, two TDs, and an INT, guiding two sustained first-half drives and distributing scoring passes to Schrader and Presley in the fourth. Brennan Presley added a late score, capping a strong debut for a rookie pass-catcher. The Rams leaned on a mix of veterans and rookies, testing deeper combinations and outlining potential fits as roster battles heat up into the regular season.

The four standouts—Valcarcel, Stewart, Corum, and Bennett—each delivered signals about where the competition in Los Angeles may land. Valcarcel’s tape showed range and hustle with nine tackles and a deflection; Stewart flashed pass-rush ability as Rams’ only sack; Corum showed vision and goal-line burst; Bennett demonstrated accuracy and composure under camp pressure. Presley’s TD capped a promising night for Rams receivers as the team balanced run and pass on early possessions and mapped out how the offense could evolve with added depth in the backfield and receiving corps.

The Los Angeles Rams face depth concerns at outside linebacker heading into training camp, particularly behind starters Jared Verse and Byron Young. Despite a strong front seven built through strategic drafting, questions linger about the backups following the departure of Michael Hoecht. Josaiah Stewart, along with the young Brennan Jackson and Nick Hampton, are seen as likely contributors but must prove their mettle in a competitive environment. With health being a pivotal factor, the Rams hope their promising edge rushers can maintain performance without relying heavily on unproven depth.