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Los Angeles Rams 2026 Preview

WRITTEN BY: MIKE JOHNSON (@MJOHNSON_86)
Coaching/Philosophy/Scheme Changes ::
  • Offense: Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur left the team after three seasons to become the Arizona Cardinals head coach. Sean McVay is still here, however, which means that the Rams offense will look largely the same as what we have seen in recent years. Nate Scheelhaase was promoted internally to replace LaFleur.
  • Defense: Chris Shula enters his third season as the Rams defensive coordinator.
Personnel Changes ::
  • Reigning MVP Matthew Stafford returns for another season. The Rams selected QB Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick in the NFL Draft as the heir apparent whenever Stafford decides to retire – but that won’t be for at least one more season.
  • Kyren Williams and Blake Corum combined to form an elite backfield committee in 2025 and are set to do the same in 2026. These two operate in a “1A/1B” type of situation, usually rotating drives with Williams getting some extra work in special situations.
  • Puka Nacua and Davante Adams return as arguably the top receiving duo in the league. Jordan Whittington and Konata Mumpfield appear set to fill the WR3 and WR4 roles for the team in what appears to be a very thin receivers room.
  • The Rams have started a trend in the NFL with their shift to heavier personnel and multiple tight end formations. They are led by veterans Colby Parkinson and Tyler Higbee and have used second round picks at the position in consecutive seasons on Terrence Ferguson (2025) and Max Klare (2026). Davis Allen also played a role in 2025 and it wouldn’t be shocking to see them keep him around as well. Quite a unique and crowded situation.
Schedule ::
  • Divisional Games (6) ::
    • LAR x2, SF x2, SEA x2
  • NFC East (4) ::
    • vs. DAL, vs. Giants, @ PHI, @ WAS
  • AFC West (4) ::
    • vs. KC, vs. Chargers, @ DEN, @ LV
  • vs. GB, vs. BUF, @ NO
Bull Case ::

The Rams were the only team in the NFL to average 30 points per game in 2025 and then scored over 30 points in two of their three playoff games. They return all of their key offensive players and are set to run it back with no meaningful reason that they should be unable to. Stafford playing at an MVP level with an elite running game, dynamic receiving options, and one of the best schemes in the league is repeatable and everything else flows from there.

I can actually envision a scenario where this Rams offense becomes even more potent and fantasy friendly in 2026, as crazy as that may sound. Puka is Puka and Davante is much cheaper to acquire this year. The backfield production in McVay’s offense when it is humming is off the charts, which means either Kyren or Corum could be an elite option at the position if the other ever misses time. Also, the way this team is building around and using the tight end position seems to be ahead of the curve as the rest of the NFL scrambles to catch up to the recent trend. This game of cat and mouse works with defenses as well, and the stress it will likely cause and adjustments teams will be forced to make will open them up to other things that the Rams can exploit. I think Parkinson and Ferguson are extremely talented chess pieces that are poised to take their games to another level in 2026 and when you fully add that dynamic to the talent, IQ, and scheme that made this offense so good in 2025 – a repeat of being the top offense in the league wouldn’t be shocking in the least.

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The Full Breakdown Awaits

The bear case, the key risk factors, and detailed position-by-position takeaways for every fantasy-relevant player on this roster are all waiting behind a free account. From quarterback fragility to backfield splits to late-round tight end sleepers, this analysis covers the draft strategy angles you need heading into 2026.