The 2023 NFL Season is here, and the Music City Drive In is getting you ready. Check back each day from now until September 3 as we look at each team and make award and playoff predictions. Agree? Disagree? Let us know in the comments.

Things didn’t go well for the Rams in defense of their title. After winning it all the season before, the wheels came off in 2022. The team was ravaged by injuries and inefficiencies, slipping to 5-12 and well out of the playoffs. It’s been an off-season of attrition so the question is whether the Rams will be able to be more competitive and make a playoff run in 2023.

Off-Season Changes

As the Rams struggled to end the season, this off-season the exodus continued. Receiver Odell Beckham, Jr., who missed the 2022 season with injury, moved on to the Ravens, while quarterback Baker Mayfield went to the Buccaneers. Jalen Ramsey, the star cornerback, went to the Dolphins while linebacker Bobby Wagner went back to the Seahawks. Safety Taylor Rapp and linebacker Leonard Floyd joined Von Miller in Buffalo, while kicker Matt Gay signed with the Colts. And receiver Allen Robinson, who signed as a free agent last off-season, was shipped off to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

That leaves a thinner Rams’ roster, but the team did add a few pieces. The team added veteran receiver DeMarcus Robinson and veteran quarterback Brett Rypien. And while the Rams didn’t have a First-Round pick, the team did make 14 picks in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Among the talent brought in, the Rams added guard Steve Avila with their first pick and a pair of defensive linemen in Byron Young and Kobie Turner in the Third Round. The Rams also added some pieces on offense, snagging Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett, Ole’ Miss running back Zach Evans and receiver Puca Nacua.

Fantasy Impact

Prior to the 2021 season, the Rams added Matthew Stafford. He led the team to a Super Bowl that season but was limited with injuries in 2022. The question for Stafford, in part, is his health. He finished as QB32 playing in just nine games in 2022. If healthy, I think he’s a solid QB2. But I have questions. I like Bennett as a late round stash, particularly in dynasty.

In the backfield, no one had a stranger 2022 season than Cam Akers. He was the starter, then looked to be off the team, then ended the season as the starter. He again appears to be the starter heading into 2023, finishing as RB35, rushing for 786 yards and seven touchdowns. He has RB2 potential, now two seasons removed from his Achilles injury. Kyren Williams and Evans remain stashes for me.

The big question at receiver is the health of Cooper Kupp. He was limited to nine games but caught 75 passes for 812 yards and six touchdowns. If healthy, he’s easily a WR1. Behind him are more questions than answers with Van Jefferson, Ben Skowronek, Nacua and Tutu Atwell all in line to see targets. I don’t trust any for fantasy, though Jefferson would be my favorite. Tight end Tyler Higbee is a solid option. He finished as TE6 in 2022.

Prediction

This is no longer the talented team that enters as a Super Bowl contender. The Rams still have some great veteran pieces in Stafford, Kupp and Aaron Donald, but they have more questions than answers all around the field. Sean McVay is a dynamic coach, so I think they’ll be a tough out, but I suspect the Rams win six-to-eight games and miss the playoffs again.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.