Los Angeles Rams: 2024 best prop bets and fantasy draft value
The sweat may be pooling up in all the wrong places, but, before you know it, changing leaves, cool temperatures and football will be in the air. To help fantasy managers and devoted bettors get through summer’s soaring heat, The Gaming Juice’s resident gridiron gambler, Brad Evans, is here to preview each NFL franchise — fantasy values, prop picks and team win totals. Channeling Richard Dent, Reggie White and J.J. Watt, the Three-Point Stance has eyes on sacking the sportsbooks and fantasy rivals.
Today’s featured squad: Los Angeles Rams.
Fantasy value — Blake Corum, RB (ADP: 158.86, RB39)
One-year wonders happen. Though Kyren Williams had a magnificent campaign in 2023, it’s not out of the range of possibilities that he veers sideways and becomes this fantasy generation’s version of Steve Slaton. The nagging foot injury that derailed Williams during OTAs doesn’t exactly inspire confidence.
This summer, Corum has drawn rave reviews, undeniably the most important one from Sean McVay. Recently, the Rams head coach said the rookie “stood out” with his “mental toughness” and “maturity beyond his years.” Holy high praise.
[ Gamer's Guide to the Gridiron: Fantasy football forecasts and NFL betting picks ]
When healthy, Corum was the ground enforcer for national champion Michigan last year. His mundane 2.42 YAC per attempt and 0.116 missed tackles forced per attempt were tofu bland. But blame the limitations on a meniscus tear. His contact balance, stocky frame (5-foot-8 and 210 pounds), high football IQ and three-down skills are likely to be maximized in a well-oiled offensive system.
The youngster’s stock has climbed steadily this offseason. If Williams doesn’t get healthy in short order or suffers some other setback, Corum would catapult into the RB1 discussion in 12-team leagues. With that in mind, he’s undoubtedly one of the best bench back targets in fantasy drafts.
Prop pick — Cooper Kupp OVER 6.5 receiving touchdowns (+110, DraftKings)
In 2021, hindsight fantasy managers would have sacrificed first borns, limbs, loving Norfolk Terriers — whatever it took — to acquire Kupp. In that ridiculous year, he torched opponents weekly, amassing 145 receptions, 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns. In terms of total fantasy points in 0.5 PPR leagues, it was the single greatest season by a wide receiver ever. For a product of Blood Turf U (Eastern Washington), the historic campaign triggered quite the fantasy frenzy.
Since the record-setting year, however, Kupp has failed to measure up, causing markets to appropriately cool. Physical setbacks ranging from ankle twists to a foot sprain to a hamstring strain cost him meaningful time. Over the last two seasons, he has missed 13 games.
Puka Nacua is the new “it” receiver in McVay’s high-flying passing attack, an ascension that’s kicked Kupp to the curb — or so gamers think. Despite the action missed in 2023, he still finished No. 9 in total red-zone targets with 19. His reliable hands and separation gained on quick outs make him a matchup problem near the goal line. It’s why Matthew Stafford continues to look his way in those situations.
In his seven-year NFL career, Kupp has hauled in seven or more touchdowns in a season only twice. Still, Stafford tossed the fourth-most pass attempts inside the red zone in 2023 (5.2 per game). That air reliance and the Rams’ 11th-easiest schedule for fantasy WRs clearly prove the above prop is a quality value at +110. If Kupp suits up for 13 or more games, cash money.
Team lean — UNDER 8.5 wins (+126, Caesars)
With the fifth-hardest projected schedule, the Rams are likely to run into numerous walls. ESPN’s Mike Clay gives them a 50% or greater win probability in only six games. Offensively, they should compete admirably, but L.A’s lackluster defense — projected as the third-worst unit in the league by Clay — raises doubts.
Come January, seven or eight victories are most bankable. At significant plus money, the UNDER is the play for long-term investment audiences.