The Los Angeles Rams might be without their offensive player for some time this season.
Wide receiver Cooper Kupp will be held out of the team’s season opener against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday with a hamstring injury, and Rams head coach Sean McVay didn’t rule out the possibility of Kupp landing on injured reserve with his ailment.
More: 5 fantasy players to target if Travis Kelce misses time with knee injury
It’s a tough setback for Kupp, who only played in nine games last season after winning a Super Bowl MVP honor and the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year award after the 2021 season.
It also puts the Rams in a difficult spot as the team tries to shake off a down season post-2022 Super Bowl win.
Sean McVay would not rule out placing Cooper Kupp on injured reserve. https://t.co/XrkOpFNBOx
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 6, 2023
If you drafted Kupp for your fantasy team, you may be looking for new options to put in your starting lineup this fall.
Well, look no further. We’ve got five players who might be smart starts after Kupp’s unfortunate medical news.
Rams WR Van Jefferson
Jefferson will assume top wideout duties with Kupp out of the lineup for Los Angeles, and he’s entering a contract year for his fourth in the NFL.
If Jefferson is going to entice teams to sign him to a big deal in the offseason, whether that be the Rams or someone else, helping carry the load while Kupp is out will help increase his value once he starts negotiating his next contract.
Key in on Jefferson for your fantasy team; he’s got rapport with quarterback Matthew Stafford and could put up serious numbers in Kupp’s absence.
Rams RB Cam Akers
With Kupp ailing, the Rams might lean on the run game more, and Akers provides impact in the passing game, too.
In a bounce back year, Akers rushed for 786 yards and nine touchdowns in 15 games last year, and he hauled in 117 yards on 13 passes to boot. Like Jefferson, he also will enter a contract year and could pad his portfolio with a strong season.
Los Angeles will surely lean on Akers more in the passing game with no Kupp, which will only boost his fantasy potential.
Rams TE Tyler Higbee
Higbee, like Jefferson and Akers, is another player who should get more looks with Kupp out of the lineup. Also, he’s another Rams player headed toward free agency in 2024 and could use a good year for his next deal.
The tight end hauled in 620 yards and three touchdowns last year, but he could play a larger factor in the red zone without Kupp on the field.
He could be a very intriguing starter for any fantasy team and should take a larger role in getting points on the board for Los Angeles.
Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
If you’re looking for a player from Los Angeles’ Week 1 opponent who could be a good replacement for Kupp in your lineup, consider this Seattle rookie wideout.
Smith-Njigba could be a stealthy starting option in any league this fall, as it’s very possible he could get immediate targets after coming from a pro-ready offense at Ohio State.
Catching passes from C.J. Stroud can get you ready for NFL reps just as ready as anyone can.
Cardinals WR Marquise Brown
While the Cardinals might not be a good team this year, wide receiver Marquise Brown figures to get a lion’s share of the passing yards in the team’s offense at present.
This fellow NFC West wideout might be a nice option to utilize in Kupp’s absence. Plus, if he gets traded to a contender at the deadline, he could explode in an offense that can unlock his potential.
He’s another 2024 free agent on this list who could benefit from a strong season, and that could be good incentive for fantasy managers to take a chance on him.
