Los Angeles Rams DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua has established himself as one of the most elite fantasy receivers in the NFL, and he is a must-start in all formats as he faces the 49ers on Thursday Night Football. Last week against the Bills, he caught 12 of 14 targets for 162 receiving yards and a touchdown while also getting a second touchdown as a rusher and totaling 16 rushing yards on five carries. His five rushes were all plays where he went in motion and then caught a lateral, and it was clear that coach Sean McVay was committed to getting the ball in his playmaker's hands. Nacua has four touchdowns in his last four games and has averaged 12.5 targets and carries in his six complete games this season. The 49ers are a tough matchup for receivers, but Nacua's high volume and touchdown ability keep him an elite play.

Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee (knee) put in his second straight day with a full practice this week on Tuesday. Meanwhile, tight end Davis Allen (shoulder) was listed as a non-participant for the second straight day. It's the second straight week that Higbee has been a full participant in practice, leading us to believe that he'll be active for the first time in 2024 this Thursday night in a divisional clash against the San Francisco 49ers. The 31-year-old tore his ACL and MCL in the postseason last year. If Higbee is active on Thursday, we wouldn't recommend throwing him into your fantasy lineups right away, as he'll likely be on a snap count and share time with Colby Parkinson if Allen is unable to play this week. Higbee will be back with the Rams before the end of the season, but it's going to be hard to rely on him as anything more than a touchdown-dependent TE2 next to Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp.

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Jordan Whittington (shoulder) wasn't available for Monday's practice estimate. Whittington has been dealing with a shoulder injury for weeks, but continues to suit up. However, the 24-year-old has taken a backseat in the offense since Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua returned to the field. In fact, Whittington doesn't have a reception since Week 5. He has been limited to special teams duties, which isn't going to offer much to fantasy managers. That being said, Whittington is worth holding in some dynasty formats, but isn't likely to have much of a role on the offense right now.

Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee (knee) was listed as a full participant during Monday's practice estimate. Higbee has been sidelined all season while recovering from ACL and MCL tears from January. It sounds like Higbee is doing better, but head coach Sean McVay said the team doesn't want to rush anything. That being said, it seems unlikely that Higbee will be activated in time for Thursday's game against the San Francisco 49ers. The Rams still have over a week left on his 21-day window before having to activate Higbee or shut him down for the season. If he plays, Higbee would unlikely have a big role on offense and wouldn't be a recommended fantasy option.

Los Angeles Rams tight end Colby Parkinson converted his lone target into an 11-yard reception during Sunday's Week 14 win over the Buffalo Bills. The 25-year-old played 48 percent of the offensive snaps, which was his highest mark since Week 8. However, his role has remained quite modest as he has caught just one singular pass in each of his last four contests. Parkinson remains behind Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, and Demarcus Robinson in the Rams' pecking order, and as a result, he belongs on waivers in most fantasy formats.