In 2023 the Rams ranked 4th in the red zone, 8th on third downs, 8th in points per game, 10th in goal-to-go and 12th in rush yards per play. Those numbers drastically dropped last season to 20th in points per game, 24th on third down, 25th in red zone, 25th in goal-to-go and 31st in rush yards per play.
QB: Matt Stafford
In Stafford’s first year with the Rams (2021) he threw for over 4,800 yards with 41 TDs and 17 INTs with a Super Bowl victory to cap the season off. It was his best season since 10 years prior. He missed 8 games in 2022 before averaging the last 2 seasons 3,800 passing yards with 22 TDs / 10 INTs.
Stafford struggled over the first 6 games of 2024 with Puka Nacua missing 6 of those games and Cooper Kupp 5. During that span Stafford averaged 232 passing yards with 3 TDs / 4 INTs. Upon their return to the lineup Stafford averaged 273 passing yards per game with 16 TDs / 3 INTs over the next 7 games.
RB: Kyren Williams
The biggest reason for the falloff in the Rams rush yards per play year-over-year was due to Williams’ average dropping from 5.0 in 2023 to 4.1 last season. Last year Williams was more efficient in the 8 games with less than 20 carries as his average was 4.5 ypc on 123 rushes for 549 yards and 6 TDs.
In the 8 games with 20+ carries Williams saw that average dip to 3.9 on 193 rushes for 750 yards and 8 TDs. After drafting 2 running backs in the 4th round or earlier in the last 2 drafts, expect to see Williams total touches for 2025 drop below 300 after hitting a career-high of 350 last season.
RB: Blake Corum
Whereas Williams needs fewer touches, Corum needs more. Corum only had three games with more than 5 carries last year. In each of those games he totaled exactly 8 carries with a 9+ yard rush while averaging 4.3 yards per carry. He was also limited in the passing game to only 8 targets where he caught 7 for 58 yards (8.3 ypr).
RB: Jarquez Hunter
At 5 ‘9 / 204 pounds, Hunter is a stout load that is difficult to bring down as he relishes collisions, keeps his legs churning and fights for every yard. Although he’s not explosive he blends power with vision and buildup speed. He has ability as an underneath option in the passing game but tends to wrestle with the ball on more difficult catches.
WR: Davante Adams
Adams left Green Bay and Aaron Rodgers to re-join his college QB, Derek Carr in Las Vegas with the Raiders back in 2022. The next 2 seasons Adams saw his catch rate drop to the lowest of his career since his 2nd year in the NFL (2015) at 56% and 59%.
He re-joined Rodgers, this time in New York with the Jets for 2024 via an in-season trade. His catch rate with a diminishing Rodgers matched the 59% from the year prior. However, after a slow start with the Jets he caught fire and put up 41 / 576 / 6 over the last 6 games.
WR: Puka Nacua
Nacua suffered an injury early on last year that caused him to miss the Rams 2nd-7th game. After a stellar rookie season in 2023, despite working back from injury he still managed to improve on his catch rate (75%) and yards per game (90). Those numbers were up from 66% and 87 yards per game.
TE: Tyler Higbee
After suffering a knee injury in the playoffs the previous season, Higbee missed the first 14 games of the 2024 season. Upon his return he managed 8 receptions for 66 yards and 2 TDs over the last 3 games of the regular season. He carried it over to the playoffs, recording 5+ catches for 50+ yards in both games with 1 TD.
TE: Terrance Ferguson
The Rams thought enough of Ferguson to select him in the first 50 picks of the 2025 draft. They invested in the position after Higbee turned 32 years old and was only able to play in 3 regular season games following the severe injury from the previous years’ playoff game. Ferguson will be used with Higbee in 2025 as a movable piece.
Even if Higbee were to miss time, Ferguson would remain in the same role with Colby Parkinson taking Higbee’s role over as the starting tight end. Ferguson can do some H-back work, mostly leaking out of the backfield with the occasional downfield shot coming on a wheel route or a down the seam shot.
BREAKOUT PLAYER: Blake Corum
Corum will see his carries double and receptions triple in 2025. He’ll finish his sophomore season with 120+ carries for 500 rushing yards with 20+ receptions for 150 yards and 4 total touchdowns.
BUST: Kyren Williams
Corum and Hunter will eat into Williams’ role as the Rams look to keep him efficient. While he may be more efficient, his production will suffer. For the first time since his rookie season in 2022 Williams will fail to reach 1,000 yards rushing, 30+ receptions and double-digit TDs after having 15+ TDs in each of the last 2 seasons.
SLEEPER: Terrance Ferguson
Ferguson’s role will be consistent throughout the year. While there may not be any one huge game, he’ll finish with an average of 2 receptions per game and 9 yards per reception. Ferguson’s final statline will come in at 35 / 300 / 2.
BOLD PREDICTION: Matt Stafford
In Stafford’s 16 NFL seasons, he’s thrown more than 32 TDs in a season twice (2011 & 2021). Whatsmore he’s only thrown 25+ TDs in 6 of those years. However, in 2025 he’ll toss 35+ TDs. But wait, there’s more…he’s never had a season in which he started more than 8 games in which he’s finished the year with a 3-to-1 TD-to-INT ratio. He’ll complete that feat as well.
