NFL Week 2: Top 5 Fantasy Football Players to Target From Los Angeles Rams

With a key matchup against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2, here’s a look at five players from the Los Angeles Rams to target in fantasy football.

Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) rushes against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL game at Levi

Players from the Los Angeles Rams may not be the most attractive options when it comes to fantasy football matchups for Week 2, but there’s certainly a few key players to keep an eye on when this team squares off against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

The Rams were the only team that failed to score a single touchdown in Week 1 during their 28-0 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, but there’s every reason in the world to believe this team can bounce back in Week 2. While Seattle may not be the easiest of teams to go against, keep in mind that Los Angeles went 4-2 in the NFC West last season–which included two wins against the Seahawks.

Plus, playing in a home opener always takes the adrenaline rush to a whole new level, and when considering all of the hype surrounding the team’s return to Los Angeles, it’s safe to say members of the Rams’ offense realize the importance of this game. Here’s a look at five players to consider from Los Angeles in fantasy football as they prepare for their upcoming matchup against Seattle.

Aug 13, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker James Morris (40) and Dallas Cowboys cornerback Josh Thomas (26) tackle Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee (89) during the third quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

5. Tyler Higbee

After selecting Tyler Higbee in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, the Rams hope the rookie tight end turns out to be one of the biggest steals from this year’s class. The former Western Kentucky star saw his draft stock take a hit due to an arrest in April, but Los Angeles felt confident enough to take the risk on Higbee.

When looking at the eight touchdowns he caught as a senior, it’s easy to understand why the Rams want things to work out with Higbee as an effective pass-catching tight end. Despite having one of the league’s top running backs in Todd Gurley, the passing game was flat-out awful for Los Angeles in 2015, and Higbee finds himself in the perfect opportunity to make an immediate impact as a rookie.

Higbee only caught one pass for two yards against the San Francisco 49ers, but it should also be noted he was targeted four times. With the Seahawks focusing most of their attention on other players like Gurley and Tavon Austin, the opportunities should be there for Higbee in the passing game.

Aug 27, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Brian Quick (83) during the second half of a preseason game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Rams 17-9. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

4. Brian Quick

As frustrating as Brian Quick has been for Rams fans throughout his career, the wide receiver seems like a likely candidate to display an impressive performance–especially since nobody is expecting it to happen.

The argument can be made Quick only made the 53-man roster due to injuries to Pharoh Cooper and Nelson Spruce, but Case Keenum did everything in his power to get the wideout involved on offense against San Francisco. In that game, Quick caught three passes for 23 yards on five targets, and there’s good chance he’ll see plenty of passes thrown his way once again.

With Seattle’s defense mostly concerned about Austin’s whereabouts along with Kenny Britt in the passing game, Sunday is the perfect opportunity for Quick to prove he was worthy of a roster spot. If not, well let’s just say it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Rams end up parting ways with Quick later on in the season when certain individuals return to full strength.

Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Tavon Austin (11) runs the ball as San Francisco 49ers cornerback Tramaine Brock (26) defends in the third quarter at Levi

3. Tavon Austin

No player from Los Angeles was more frustrating when it comes to fantasy football opening weekend than Austin.

After signing a hefty four-year, $42 million extension in preseason, there’s no more excuses for Austin’s lack of production in the offense, and so far, the wide receiver is off to a poor start. Austin received the most targets (12) on offense against the 49ers, but he only finished the game with four catches for a disappointing 13 yards.

How on earth does a former first-round pick that just signed a $42 million extension only average 3.3 yards-per-catch? There are no words to explain why, but it’s easy to see why the Rams and their fans are feeling frustration towards Austin.

So how will Austin make out against a very tough defense in Seattle? Well, it’s not looking good, but the potential for another high amount of targets is the only reason why fantasy owners will even slightly consider Austin in Week 2.

Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Kenny Britt (18) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers right cornerback Jimmie Ward (25) in the second quarter at Levi

2. Kenny Britt

If any receiver on the Rams is going to end the embarrassing streak of recording the first 1,000-yard season since 1997, there’s a good chance it’s going to be Kenny Britt.

Los Angeles entered the preseason with a weak receiving corps, but Britt was always the one player who seemed to standout at the beginning of games–whether it was big catches or simply drawing penalties. It’s surprising to see a player with the skill set of Britt fail to record a 1,000-yard season in his career, but the Rams hope he finds a way to achieve this milestone during his third season with the team.

Sadly, Britt was one of the line highlights against the 49ers after catching four passes for 67 yards on six targets, and the Rams will need a bigger game from the wide receiver if they’re going to have any shot at upsetting the Seahawks on Sunday.

Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) runs the ball against the San Francisco 49ers in the second quarter at Levi

1. Todd Gurley

As frustrating as Austin’s fantasy performance was for owners, just imagine the level of frustration over the ones with Gurley on their squad.

After taking home Rookie of the Year honors last year, Gurley was an easy consideration for a first-round pick in all fantasy leagues, and there were a handful of league’s that saw the running back go No. 1–especially after his own recommendation.

No matter how hard he tried, Gurley just couldn’t find a way to get anything going against the 49ers’ defense after rushing for just 47 yards on 17 carries. Gurley only appeared in one of last year’s meetings against Seattle while rushing for 83 yards and a touchdown, but Los Angeles is going to need more out of their running back this time around.

Even if Gurley happens to find the end zone just once against the Seahawks, it would still be a major improvement from last week’s disastrous offensive performance against the 49ers.