Rams Wire's Cameron DaSilva says "no one should sleep on [Demarcus] Robinson or [Tyler] Johnson as the Rams' No. 3 receiver." He adds that either has a chance to "leapfrog" Ben Skowronek, Tutu Atwell, and Puka Nacua in pursuit of that third spot, joining Cooper Kupp and Van Jefferson. We wouldn't recommend investing heavily into any of those competitors -- and we're not even especially interested in Jefferson. But we'll be watching to see who emerges as that No. 3 wideout.
Rams beat writer Cameron DaSilva writes that “in all likelihood,” the team will use a rotation at WR3. Van Jefferson holds the WR2 role behind Cooper Kupp. But we’ll see training camp sort the depth chart beyond that, with Tutu Atwell, Ben Skowrenek, and Puka Nacua as leading contenders. Atwell brings big-play appeal, making him a late-round option in best ball leagues. Nacua, though, has drawn the most buzz this offseason. The real takeaway is that Kupp remains a strong candidate to lead the NFL in targets.
The Rams are finalizing a trade to send WR Allen Robinson to the Steelers, pending Robinson passing a physical. No word yet on the compensation, but the Rams probably aren't getting much. Robinson is set to count $18 million against the 2023 salary cap and has been one of the least efficient WRs in the NFL over the past two seasons. He ranked 86th out of 101 qualifying WRs in yards per route run in 2021 and 90th out of 96 last year. Robinson figures to slide in as Pittsburgh's #3 WR behind Diontae Johnson and George Pickens. He's not an exciting fantasy pick. The Rams, meanwhile, are left with Cooper Kupp, Van Jefferson, Tutu Atwell, and Ben Skowronek atop the WR depth chart. We'll see if they add to the position.
Update: Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Steelers are getting Robinson and the 251st overall pick of this year's draft in exchange for the 234th overall pick. The Rams are also paying $10.25 million of Robinson’s salary. The Steelers will pay the remaining $5 million. If you needed confirmation that Robinson's tank is empty, there you go.
Rams WR Ben Skowronek will miss the rest of the season with a calf injury, HC Sean McVay said Tuesday. Skowronek joins WRs Cooper Kupp and Allen Robinson on the sideline, leaving the Rams with WRs Van Jefferson, Tutu Atwell, Brandon Powell, Austin Trammell and Lance McCutcheon.
Rams WR Allen Robinson (foot) is "not likely" to play vs. the Chiefs today, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Robinson was set to serve as Los Angeles' de facto #1 WR with Cooper Kupp out. Los Angeles is now down to WRs Van Jefferson, Ben Skowronek, Brandon Powell, Tutu Atwell and Lance McCutcheon. TE Tyler Higbee is the favorite to lead the team in targets today -- but this is a passing game to try to avoid with QB Bryce Perkins likely making his 1st career start.
Rams WR Cooper Kupp has been diagnosed with a high-ankle sprain, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. A source tells Schefter that it "doesn't sound good." No timetable is given, but high-ankle sprains are generally 4-6 week injuries. So, for now, Kupp owners should brace to be without him until at least Week 15 -- and possibly longer. Kupp leaves behind a massive 30% of Rams targets. Allen Robinson, Van Jefferson, Ben Skowronek and Tyler Higbee should all pick up extra volume, but this Rams passing game could be a disaster with Kupp sidelined.
Rams TE Tyler Higbee caught all 8 of his targets for 73 yards in Sunday's loss to the Cardinals, leading the team in all 3 categories. WR Ben Skowronek checked in 2nd among Rams with 7 targets in a game that saw the team lose Cooper Kupp to injury. WR Allen Robinson ranked 3rd with 6 targets and finished 2nd in catches (4) and yards (44).
Rams WR Cooper Kupp is considered "day to day" with a "regular, low-ankle sprain" suffered late in the Week 8 loss to San Francisco, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. "He's got a chance to play [vs. the Bucs this weekend,] but you need to see how it responds, how swollen it gets, how it takes to rehab," Rapoport adds. "It seems like overall, the Rams star receiver is going to be fine, but we need to see how the week goes before we determine his availability." We'll keep a close eye on Kupp's status throughout the week. His absence would obviously be a big blow to the Rams offense, while leaving behind lots of volume for Allen Robinson, Tyler Higbee, Van Jefferson and Ben Skowronek.
Rams WR Cooper caught 7 of 8 targets for 80 yards in Sunday's win over the Panthers. He led the team in each of those categories, in a game that saw QB Matthew Stafford throw for 253 yards and 1 score. That TD went to WR Allen Robinson, who posted a 5-63-1 receiving line on 6 targets. WR Ben Skowronek and WR Brandon Powell tied for 3rd at 5 targets. Skowronek played 19 more snaps and ran 11 more routes than Powell.
Rams QB Matthew Stafford technically threw for 308 yards in Sunday's loss to the Cowboys. But 75 yards of that (and his only TD) came via a short throw and long run by WR Cooper Kupp. Outside of that play, Stafford averaged just 5.7 yards per pass attempt. He remains a weak fantasy option. Kupp's long TD beefed up a receiving line that finished at 7-125-1 on 10 targets. TE Tyler Higbee got another 10 targets and caught 7 balls for 46 yards. WR Ben Skowronek checked in 3rd with 8 targets, 6 receptions and 41 yards. And Allen Robinson did just enough to remind us that he's alive.
Rams WR Van Jefferson (knee) is out for Sunday's game vs. the Falcons. He still hasn't returned to practice after early-August knee surgery, so don't bank on a Week 3 return. Ben Skowronek replaced Jefferson as Los Angeles' #3 WR in the opener, turning 6 targets into 4 catches for 25 scoreless yards.
Rams WR Van Jefferson (knee) is out for Thursday night's opener vs. the Bills. He didn't practice all week, so a Week 2 return doesn't look particularly likely. Jefferson's snaps are expected to be picked up by a committee of WRs Tutu Atwell, Ben Skowronek and Brandon Powell. None is a viable fantasy play outside of DFS showdown contests. WR Cooper Kupp, WR Allen Robinson and TE Tyler Higbee should be the clear focal points of the Rams' passing game against Buffalo.
Rams WR Van Jefferson (knee) did not practice on Monday. He's looking like a long shot for Thursday night's opener vs. the Bills after undergoing knee surgery at the beginning of August. Jefferson's absence will leave Tutu Atwell and Ben Skowronek at the Rams' #3 and #4 WRs -- and leave extra targets for WR Cooper Kupp, WR Allen Robinson and TE Tyler Higbee.
Rams WR Van Jefferson will have surgery on his left knee, HC Sean McVay announced to reporters Monday. The issue still doesn't sound major, though. Jefferson is only expected to miss "a few weeks," according to NFL Network's Ian Rapport. The young wideout is "TBD for Week 1." We'll see about Jefferson's status as Week 1 approaches. He remains in play as an end-of-draft option for deeper leagues, though there's obviously risk that the situation limits him into the season. Ben Skowronek and Tutu Atwell look like the top 2 candidates for the 3rd WR role if Jefferson misses regular-season games. We also could see more target share go to Cooper Krupp and/or Allen Robinson in that case.
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