SIGN UP: Get the best player prop and game betting projections at BetAlytics. Use code "JUICE" for a special promo rate.
The sweat may be pooling up in all the wrong places, but, before you know it, changing leaves, cool temperatures and football will be in the air. To help fantasy managers and devoted bettors get through summer’s soaring heat, The Gaming Juice’s resident gridiron gambler, Brad Evans, is here to preview each NFL franchise — fantasy values, prop picks and team win totals. Channeling Richard Dent, Reggie White and J.J. Watt, the Three-Point Stance has eyes on sacking the sportsbooks and fantasy rivals.
Today’s featured squad: Los Angeles Rams.
Fantasy value — Kyren Williams, RB (ADP: 28.1, RB11)
At his top-30 overall ADP, Williams isn’t some smokin’-hot, door-buster deal. However, for roster builders who employ an early combination of WR, TE and/or QB, he’s a sound investment in Round 3 of 12-team drafts.
The Rams’ underappreciated RB1 has the skills to pay the fantasy bills. As witnessed last year, he can carry the mail week in and week out.
One of the most consistent producers in the virtual game, Williams scored at least 13.0 PPR points in 13 of 16 games, totaling 1,299 rushing yards, 16 touchdowns and 34 receptions. A volume king, his 82.8% opportunity share was the second-highest in the NFL.
[ NFL Gamer's Guide: Fantasy forecasts and futures bets for 2025 season ]
Though his secondary analytics left much to be desired — he finished outside the top 40 in yards created per touch (2.78) and yards after contact per attempt (2.72) — Williams should again command 18-22 touches per game working behind a top-half offensive line.
Throw in a fairly favorable fantasy strength of schedule (RB14) and the limited stacked boxes he’s bound to face (he encountered eight-plus man fronts the fifth-fewest times among qualifying RBs in 2024, per Next Gen Stats), and a top-10 final line comes into view. Ram it, Kyren.
Prop pick — Puka Nacua OVER 5.5 receiving touchdowns (+100, BetMGM)
If you’re aiming to maximize profit on Puka, throwing cash at him to lead the NFL in receiving yards at +1200 is advisable.
At plus money, backing up the truck on the TDs over is also worth consideration.
Really, the only sensible reason the OVER doesn’t hit is the menacing injury imp. In Nacua’s sophomore season, a ruptured bursa forced him to miss six games. If he remains ironclad in the followup, a return to 2023 (105-1486-6) could occur, if not exceeded.
Yes, splashy offseason acquisition Davante Adams is a hindrance. The veteran wideout is one of the most efficient red-zone weapons in the game. Still, Nacua booked 13 red-zone targets in just 11 games last year, and he figures to benefit from the attention Adams will surely draw inside the 20-yard line.
If Matthew Stafford rectifies his red-zone issues (QB25 in RZ completion percentage), a half-dozen scoring strikes to the new No. 12 is buyable, especially with the Rams’ exploitable fantasy WR strength of schedule (11th easiest).
Team lean — Rams OVER 9.5 regular-season wins (-145, Caesars)
If you’re shopping for a Super Bowl title sleeper, shell out a few greenbacks on the Rams. For value chasers, L.A.'s +2000 payout to hoist the hardware is dripping with sexiness.
Stafford may predate leather helmets, but despite his advanced age, he likely has one more stellar season left in the tank. The 37-year-old isn’t completely washed. Head coach Sean McVay — a play-design mastermind — will squeeze every last ounce out of his well-rested quarterback.
ESPN’s Mike Clay calculates a 51% or greater win probability for the Rams in a whopping 14 games. The offense should be one of the better units in the league, but if Chris Shula’s questionable defense surprises, L.A. could blow away the proposed number.