The Los Angeles Rams are positioning themselves for an impressive 2025 season with a potent offense led by Kyren Williams, an elite fantasy running back, and standout wide receiver Puka Nacua. The acquisition of veteran receiver Davante Adams to replace Cooper Kupp further enhances the team’s offensive firepower, making the Rams a formidable fantasy football option this year under the direction of head coach Sean McVay.

Williams and Nacua are expected to be highly sought after in drafts due to their consistent production and central roles in the offense. These changes create a promising landscape for fantasy managers targeting the Rams’ offensive stars.

Understanding the Rams’ 2024 Offensive Performance Metrics

In 2024, the Rams averaged 21.6 points per game, ranking 20th in the NFL, and produced 331.4 total yards per game, which placed them 15th overall. While the team ran 61.2 plays per game (20th) and recorded 37.2 dropbacks per game (25th), their dropback EPA per play was a respectable 0.11 (14th), showing some efficiency in passing situations. However, rushing efficiency lagged slightly with a rush EPA of -0.07 (15th), signaling room for improvement in run plays.

Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford: A Season That Could Be Their Last Together

Since joining forces in 2021, head coach Sean McVay and quarterback Matthew Stafford have had a remarkable run, including a Super Bowl victory in their first season. Now, both are navigating the twilight years of their tenure with the Rams, as Stafford, age 37, recently signed a reworked one-year deal and appears likely to continue on similar short-term contracts until retirement decisions are finalized.

Stafford has seen a decline from his peak performance, with his passing yards dropping below 4,000 in each of the last three seasons and a career-high touchdown count of 24 in 2023. Nonetheless, he remains a steady presence capable of managing McVay’s creative offense, which has ranked in the top 10 during healthier seasons for Stafford.

The Rams’ defense continues to play a significant role, ranking 17th in points allowed per game (22.7) and demonstrating resilience late in the 2024 season by holding opponents under 10 points in multiple contests, including a strong showing against Kevin O’Connell’s Vikings in the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/nfc/”>NFC Wild Card Game. Despite no longer having Aaron Donald, the defense features emerging talents such as Braden Fiske and Jared Verse, who form a rising pass-rushing duo.

Though it remains uncertain if this year marks the last collaboration for McVay and Stafford, the Rams enter the season with a strong roster that nearly upset the Eagles in last year’s NFC Divisional Round. Their divisional competition, the NFC West, is more uncertain this season, providing an opportunity for the Rams to solidify their position as contenders.

Key Players in the Rams’ Passing Attack for 2025

Quarterbacks for the season include Matthew Stafford and backup Jimmy Garoppolo. Stafford, while effective, ranks outside the top fantasy options due to his average of 16.9 fantasy points per game since 2022, placing him 22nd among quarterbacks in that span. He rarely achieves weekly top-12 fantasy rankings, but continues to support the offense proficiently.

Behind Stafford, Jimmy Garoppolo provides reliable depth, with both players contributing to the team’s ability to maintain offensive rhythm.

The Rams’ wide receiver group is headlined by Puka Nacua, who has quickly established himself as an elite fantasy performer. After a breakout rookie season with 105 receptions, 1,486 yards, and six touchdowns, Nacua faced injury in 2024 but still managed 79 catches for 990 yards in 11 games, maintaining an impressive 30 percent target share. Had he played all 17 games, projections indicate he would have faced 164 targets with over 1,500 receiving yards, placing him among the top receivers in the league. Nacua’s ability to consistently be the first read in the passing game and excel after the catch makes him a near certainty for another top-10 fantasy receiver finish.

Davante Adams, signed to a two-year, $44 million contract, replaces Cooper Kupp, who departed in the offseason. Adams split 2024 between the Raiders and Jets, finishing with 85 receptions, 1,063 yards, and eight touchdowns despite missing three games while awaiting a trade. His advanced metrics align with the high standards he’s set throughout his career, and he’s expected to play a high-volume role that could yield multiple top fantasy performances.

Adams’ style fits well with McVay’s offense partly because of his history in similar offensive systems and his reliable short-yardage receiving skills. He complements Nacua by providing another strong target option, which helps maintain a balanced passing attack with ample targets for both receivers.

The loss of Kupp’s consistent targets could have impacted the size of opportunities available, but Adams is projected to fill the volume gap, as Kupp averaged 8.1 targets per game in 2024 with an average depth of target (ADOT) of 8.1 yards, while Adams averaged an 8.7-yard ADOT. The familiarity between McVay and Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, both from the Shanahan coaching tree, supports this seamless adjustment.

Supporting Receivers and Tight Ends in the Offense

Beyond Nacua and Adams, the Rams’ receiving corps includes Jordan Whittington, Tutu Atwell, and Xavier Smith. Atwell enters his fourth season, coming off a career-high 583 receiving yards but without a touchdown in 2024 and a low target per route run (TPRR) of 0.192. Whittington showed promise during Nacua’s injury absence, averaging four catches and nearly 48 yards per game, but has remained a secondary option when Nacua is active. Both players may offer value in best ball leagues but are unlikely to be consistent start options in standard formats without significant changes.

The tight end position features Tyler Higbee and rookie Terrance Ferguson. Higbee returned late last season from a major knee injury and displayed efficiency with 8 receptions on 11 targets for 66 yards and two touchdowns over three games. However, his workload was carefully managed as he eased back into the lineup. Ferguson, drafted in the second round, brings explosiveness and a strong receiving skill set from his collegiate career at Oregon, though concerns about his run-blocking ability may limit early playing time. While neither tight end is an appealing fantasy asset currently, Higbee holds the starting role for now, with Ferguson’s development worth monitoring during training camp.

The Running Back Group Anchored by Kyren Williams

Kyren Williams remains the centerpiece of the Rams’ rushing attack, combining high opportunity with a significant scoring impact. Although his yards per touch rank 23rd among running backs with over 300 touches since 2023, Williams shares the league lead for total touchdowns (31) with Derrick Henry and holds the second-best opportunity share (38 percent) just behind Saquon Barkley. He also ranks fourth in red zone rush attempts (20). After posting 1,350 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2023, Williams surpassed those numbers with 1,481 yards and 16 touchdowns, finishing as the NFL’s seventh-best running back in fantasy football.

Despite the Rams drafting Blake Corum in the third round last year to add competition, Williams remains the bell-cow back, expected to continue as a top 10 PPR running back for the third consecutive season. His goal-line role secures steady touchdown upside, even if his total carries see a slight reduction.

Corum’s rookie season yielded modest results with 207 rushing yards in 14 games, never exceeding eight touches per game and failing to break into the top 40 for PPR running backs on a weekly basis. His role appears more suited to depth than a primary contributor at this stage.

The arrival of rookie Jarquez Hunter adds a new dynamic element to the Rams’ backfield. Selected in the fourth round, Hunter boasts speed and receiving ability rare among the current Rams running backs. He rushed for 1,201 yards with eight touchdowns and caught 21 passes in his final collegiate season at Auburn. Hunter recorded a 4.44-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, enhancing his profile as a potential weapon in the passing game. His exact role will unfold during training camp, but he faces stiff competition for meaningful snaps as long as Williams stays healthy.

Looking Ahead: Rams’ Prospects for the 2025 Season

The Rams enter the 2025 NFL season with optimism, competing in a challenging NFC West division that featured two 10-win teams and an 8-9 Cardinals squad last year. Anticipations are that the 49ers will rebound following their injury-riddled 6-11 finish, increasing divisional competition.

Under Sean McVay’s leadership, the Rams have consistently reached double-digit wins in six of his eight seasons. This season, the team is expected to improve on both offense and defense, strengthening their chances to surpass 9.5 wins for the third consecutive year, assuming they maintain health and continuity.

Opponents like the Cardinals and 49ers face uncertainties, while the Seahawks’ new quarterback Sam Darnold will need time to replicate past success. The Rams’ balanced roster and coaching stability give them a strong foundation to contend in one of the NFL’s most competitive divisions.

Our Reader’s Queries

Q. What did Sean McVay say about Kyren Williams?

A. What I like is that Kyren has been here, guiding and doing what he does best. I am happy with this and hope to see it conclude positively. There has been good progress, but there is no current deal to announce.