All offseason, we’ve debated what the Rams will do as an offense. I think they told us their long-term plan with Kupp’s extension. The Rams gave Kupp a 3-year, $48 million contract extension, tying him to the Rams through 2023. Based on that deal, the Rams see Kupp as part of their long-term plans and as one of their key offensive weapons. Let’s break down the dynasty impact on each of the Rams’ players.
Cooper Kupp
This extension is great news for Kupp and his value. Before Kupp signed this deal, I wasn’t sure that the Rams would commit to signing him long-term, especially given the massive contracts they gave out to other players. However, they found a way to get a deal done with Jared Goff’s favorite target.
I wouldn’t move Kupp that far up my dynasty rankings based on this extension, but I feel more comfortable with him as a WR2 moving forward. The Rams will either deploy more 11 personnel to allow Kupp to play in the slot or find a way to incorporate him as a perimeter receiver. I believe they intend to run 11 personnel as their long-term plan, and Kupp is their slot receiver in that package.
Robert Woods
After Kupp’s extension, Woods is now the second-highest paid receiver on the team. In 2021, the Rams will owe Woods $10.1 million, and they can save $9 million against the cap if they release him. I don’t expect them to do so, but they have the option if Woods underperforms in 2020.
I think that Woods is a talented receiver, but I would not want him to leave the Rams’ pass-first offense. Hopefully, the Rams can get something worked out with Woods, but money might have become tighter. I didn’t adjust Woods’ dynasty ranking at all, though.
Van Jefferson
The Rams drafted Jefferson in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. I initially thought that Jefferson could be a long-term replacement for either Kupp or Woods, but Kupp is now locked-up long-term. Therefore, Jefferson is, at best, the secondary option to Kupp, and he could be the third receiver behind Kupp and Woods.
Even though Jefferson’s direct path to targets is unclear, he’s gotten rave reviews throughout Rams’ camp, and I think he’s a talented player. If the Rams move on from Woods, I love Jefferson’s potential as the Rams’ WR2 behind Kupp. Either way, I didn’t change too much for Jefferson in dynasty formats. He remains an intriguing stash, just like before the signing.
Josh Reynolds
With Kupp’s extension, there’s no way the Rams will re-sign Reynolds after 2020. Reynolds has only served as depth since the Rams drafted him in 2017, and they will let him leave in free agency. Reynolds already had his chance to shine, so I have little to no interest in dynasty formats.
Tyler Higbee
Given that the Rams committed big money to a slot receiver, I expect them to run mostly 11 personnel. However, I don’t see that as a significant downgrade for Higbee. Higbee got on the field because of his abilities in both the receiving and blocking game.
Higbee is well-served to play as an every-down tight end in single tight-end formations. The Rams extended Higbee during last season to a 4-year, $29 million contract. The Rams see Higbee as a crucial part of their offense. But now, I expect that role to come more as a featured tight end in 11 personnel. I didn’t adjust Higbee’s ranking based on Kupp’s extension.
Gerald Everett
Everett is the most affected by Kupp’s extension, in my opinion. His contract expires after the 2020 season, and there’s almost zero chance that the Rams will extend him. They already have Higbee on a long-term deal, and they just committed significant money to a slot receiver like Kupp. Perhaps Everett can find some opportunity elsewhere, but it won’t be in Los Angeles.
Thanks for reading this article. You can find me on Twitter at @DFF_Karp. I love to interact with anyone in the community, so reach out at any time! I take fantasy questions and help with all formats, so keep sending those questions my way.
