Los Angeles Rams DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Los Angeles Rams tight end Colby Parkinson went from a high of 13 targets to matching a season-low of two on either side of the team's Week 6 bye. Even with the multi-week absences of Cooper Kupp (ankle) and Puka Nacua (knee), Parkinson never made real headway in establishing himself as a bankable option in the Rams' offense, averaging 3.5 receptions and 33 yards per game. With Kupp set to return to action when Los Angeles takes the field against the Vikings on Thursday night, Parkinson's productivity will be capped. Only two tight ends have logged fantasy scores in the double digits against Minnesota and the defense has given up just two touchdowns to the position so far. Tight end streamers should set their sights on more forgiving matchups coming up on Sunday rather than gamble on Parkinson in the first game of Week 8.

Los Angeles Rams running back Blake Corum has seen minimal play on offense and Week 7 was no different. The third-rounder out of Michigan took three carries for 11 yards in the Rams' 20-15 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Kyren Williams has a firm grasp on the top of the running back depth chart in Los Angeles and his production in 2024 doesn't lend reason for head coach Sean McVay to switch things up any time soon. Week 8 brings a Thursday night matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, who are allowing opposing running backs just 72 yards per game. Corum makes for a great bench stash in the event that Williams gets injured and misses time but the rookie belongs nowhere near starting lineups in Week 8.

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Demarcus Robinson could not take advantage of the multi-week absences of teammates Cooper Kupp (ankle) and Puka Nacua (knee). In Week 7's game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Robinson experienced a new low, finishing with a single catch for nine yards, bringing his reception total to 13 through the Rams' first six games of the season. Kupp carries no injury designation heading into the Rams' Thursday night matchup against the Minnesota Vikings and Nacua is listed as questionable. The return of one or both would cement Robinson's status on the margins of LA's passing game. Working in Robinson's favor is the fact that Minnesota is susceptible to the pass and is allowing the most fantasy points per game to the position in 2024. There is a possibility that Robinson breaks a long play but his chances will be so few and far between that he should be avoided altogether in Week 8.

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Tutu Atwell's team-high nine targets in Week 7 translated to six catches for 51 yards against the Las Vegas Raiders. Atwell achieved PPR relevance in recent weeks, averaging five catches and 71 yards per game going back to Week 3. The influx of targets he saw over the last two games (19 total) will be cut soon, though, as Cooper Kupp is finally the injury report and ready to play for the first time since suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 2. Atwell may yet find ways to produce in Week 8. Los Angeles gets the week started with a Thursday night matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, who have allowed at least one touchdown to different wide receivers in each of their last three games. Atwell projects as a WR5 and is a viable play in deeper leagues, particularly if Puka Nacua (knee) is unable to go.

Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams gained 76 rushing yards and scored two touchdowns on 21 carries against the Raiders in Week 7. It was his second multi-score game of 2024 and the ninth consecutive game dating back to last season where he made his way to the end zone. In Week 8 the Rams get the slate started on Thursday night against the Minnesota Vikings who have stymied opposing running backs for most of the season. That didn't stop Jahmyr Gibbs from running roughshod on the team last Sunday and finishing with 116 yards and two scores on the ground. Prior to their Week 6 bye, though, the Vikes had allowed just one rushing touchdown and held all but one opposing back to 51 rushing yards or fewer. Williams has a challenge ahead of him but remains a must-start in Week 8.