It's been a few years since anyone has looked to the Rams offense for fantasy value, either top picks or mid- to late-round sleeper. But 2013 could very well provide some sleepers, if for no other reason than the offensive starters around Sam Bradford will be guys many fantasy coaches haven't even heard of.
This article from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch lays out the stark reality for the Rams. Steven Jackson, Danny Amendola and Brandon Gibson are out. For now, some combination of second-year players Isaiah Pead, Daryl Richardson, Chris Givens and Brian Quick is in. Rams better hope they drafted well in 2012, because a lot of those players will need to play major offensive roles.
Jeff Fisher's comments in the article are interesting. He concedes the team didn't want to lose Amendola, and also that there's some real uncertainty as to what the team will be doing at running back. "We'll fill the position," he says. "When and how, I don't know."
Pead, a second-round pick, didn't show much as a rookie, getting beaten out for the backup spot by Richardson. But Pead did show some flashes late in the year, while Richardson faded. St. Louis could draft or still sign somebody, but Pead looks like the early favorite.
Givens was the best of the rookies, but Quick, selected two rounds earlier, is pretty intriguing -- he drew Terrell Owens comparisons from the coaches last preseason. They'll be looking for him to make a big step up in Year 2.
Based on the players the team lost in free agency, they won't have much choice.
--Andy Richardson