In this second part of our Rams 4-EYED TEAM PREVIEW, we’re going to be covering the Rams’ IDPs that you should consider rostering for the 2021 fantasy football season.
Number one in fewest total yards allowed, points allowed per game, first downs allowed, and number two in the NFL in sacks the Los Angeles Rams were ranked as the number one defense, overall, according to both FantasyData and Pro Football Focus in 2020. While some of their young IDP stars in the secondary departed for Cleveland, speaking of John Johnson III and Troy Hill, there is a bunch of young and veteran talent remaining to provide IDP fantasy managers with plenty of options come fantasy football season.
So who are these players?!
Find out now in the 2021 Rams IDP 4-EYED Team Preview
*This season at Fantasy In Frames we’ll be using IDP123 scoring as our default scoring rubric when talking about the fantasy relevance of IDP player performance.*
Linebacker
*Positional designations & ADP data brought to you by Sleeper.
Troy Reader (Current ADP: LB93)
Now I know what you’re thinking, why am I omitting Micah Kiser from this list who, according to Sleeper, has a better ADP than Troy Reader?!
The answer: Consistency
From weeks 12 through 17, in replacement of Kiser who was lost for the season due to injury, Reader eclipsed double-digit tackles in all but two games in weeks 14 and 17. Averaging 10 total tackles a game Reader just looked like the replacement at inside linebacker that the Rams were looking for since the departure of Corey Littleton in free agency a few months prior. Time will tell if a healthy Kiser and Reader can co-exist at the ILB position on this defense like other great tandem linebackers around the league. That being said if I had to pick one to emerge it’s Reader. Take that for what it’s worth and draft Reader as a solid LB2.
Defensive Line
*Positional designations & ADP data brought to you by Sleeper.
Aaron Donald (Current ADP: DL4)
Aaron Donald was flexing his strength all season 😤💪 @AaronDonald97 @RamsNFL
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) March 4, 2021
(h/t @SNFonNBC) pic.twitter.com/wgNimMGYm7
What superlatives are left to say about Aaron Donald that hasn’t already been said about his play on the football field? None.
But what about on the FANTASY football field? A few.
First, playing the defensive tackle position usually doesn’t equate to a high level of fantasy production since defensive tackles are the space eaters along a defensive line. Aaron Donald, however, is a special player who can beat any blocking assignments sent his way. Facing one-on-one matchups he had a win percentage of 24.6% which was the best of all interior defensive linemen according to PFF in 2020. His 13.5 sacks, 28 QB hits, and his 45 total tackles led to a 14.1 fantasy point per game average last year.
When it comes to fantasy drafts this year, the choice is simple. Draft Donald as your DL1. Trust me, you won’t regret it.
Defensive Backs
*Positional designations & ADP data brought to you by Sleeper.
Taylor Rapp (Current ADP: DB37)
Troy Hill and Taylor Rapp combine on the end zone INT! #RamsHouse
— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2020
📺: #CHIvsLAR on ESPN
📱: NFL app // YahooSports app: https://t.co/3oWB2RFTjr pic.twitter.com/2GV9pA6EZ7
While facing some competition this offseason, Taylor Rapp should earn the starting free safety position previously held by John Johnson III in seasons past. In 2020, Rapp, who missed some time due to injury, was still able to average 10.1 fantasy points per game on a bad knee in 9 games played. What makes him such a valuable asset in fantasy is his tackling. His first two seasons he showed a good solo to assisted tackle ratio which automatically bumps him up in to high DB3/low DB2 range for me this season. IF he can return to form from his rookie year we could be looking at a high DB2 with low DB1 upside.
Jordan Fuller (Current ADP: DB36)
Jordan Fuller making a CLUTCH stop💪
— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 14, 2020
Another Ohio State DB…
pic.twitter.com/FNIwaXTDXT
Jordan Fuller cemented a hold of the strong safety position as a rookie in 2020 tallying 60 total tackles, 5 passes defended, and 3 INTs on the season. While those numbers might not be impressive his snap count on the season at strong safety was. Rams coaches were so impressed with his play in 2020 they were quick to annoint him as the teams’ strong safety in 2021. From weeks 10-17 at the position Fuller averaged 11.9 fantasy points game as a rookie. Playing in a run-heavy division look for Fuller to bump that average up quite a bit. Consider him a suitable low-end DB2 for your roster in 2021.
