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What can those of us who spent early draft capital on Cam Akers, or that have him on their dynasty teams, do at the moment? Today we look to recent history for guidance to see how teams have fared when losing star RB talent either before or very early in a season and try to apply that to the Rams’ and our fantasy teams’ situations.

If you are considering dealing for Darrell Henderson in trade or haven’t drafted yet, his price will reflect production levels that history suggests he is not likely to reach. And looking beyond the current Rams roster for potential trade candidates is a lottery ticket. Placing one or more of those on our roster means filling our bench with long shots unlikely to put up numbers anywhere close to what we were expecting from a healthy 2021 Akers.

Damien Harris has a big role tee’d up. Tony Pollard and Zack Moss are ongoing values in dynasty.

Tyler Lockett and Curtis Samuel have contract security. Michael Gallup will either escape or thrive in Dallas.

Following a full reconstructive surgery, Michael Thomas should be good as new following a full rehabilitation. In dynasty, he is a clear hold and a possible buy on the other end. If you’re a shareholder, keep calm and keep those diamond hands steady. His stock will rebound when he’s back in the lineup mid-season gathering targets like a squirrel preparing for winter. Then, you can decide whether it’s in your best interest to sell.

It’s tough for anyone to break through significantly on any sort of consistent basis when Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara are gobbling up 250-plus targets every season and the rest of the depth chart is muddled. Tre’Quan Smith’s disappearance last season should be a concern, but there’s solace in knowing he’s shown the capability of breaking through in a major way. This alone is why fantasy gamers need to be prioritizing him this season.

Jamaal Williams is not getting anyone off D’Andre Swift. Zack Moss is locked into a primary back role.

Where will Zach Ertz sign this offseason? When will Trey Lance, Justin Fields and Mac Jones start games?

Despite a shallow target depth, Curtis Samuel averaged 2.18 (No. 12 among qualified wide receivers) Fantasy Points Per Target with a +32.0-percent (No. 3) Target Premium. He specialized in taking low-depth targets and turning upfield, and he was highly efficient for fantasy last season. His high Target Premium, QB upgrade, rushing ability, and chance for increased opportunity give him value at his current ADP.

Marvin Jones has hit the wrong side of 30, but is still productive and established, evidenced by last year’s +15.4-percent (No. 21) Target Premium and 1.98 (No. 27) Fantasy Points Per Target average. Jones will become a favorite of Trevor Lawrence with his ability to make contested catches, especially on Deep Balls. His proven efficiency and high veteran floor make him a great value grab at his late ADP.

Royce Freeman is similar to James Conner. Rondale Moore could go nuclear in Arizona.

Wayne Gallman is an intriguing stash. Qadree Ollison is an injury away from being a free square.

Real-time trades talks involving Gabriel Davis, Deshaun Watson, Jalen Reagor, and Tony Pollard. Ke’Shawn Vaughn is breaking hearts.

Mac Jones is channeling Tom Brady. The New York Media Machine is propping up Elijah Moore’s fantasy ADP.

New Rams RB1 Darrell Henderson will skyrocket up draft boards until likely settling in as an RB2 in the middle rounds barring a major addition by Los Angeles. With over 60,000 entries filled, 5,000 teams in Best Ball Mania II roster Henderson. Your odds of drafting him after today’s news and building a better team than any of those are low. There are only two outcomes for a team drafting Henderson today:

Whether Los Angeles brings in another competent running back, and whether his own passing down role expands, will define Darrell Henderson’s 2021 ceiling. The fact that he’s never reached a 60.0-percent Snap Share tells us it’s unlikely he possesses a ceiling in the range of Akers.’ Nonetheless, this is a capable player on a top offense thrust into immense opportunity.

Mac Jones may be more of an outlier than Zach Wilson. Jalen Hurd vs. Travis Fulgham: Who is a better dynasty stash?

Is the Darnell Mooney hype justified? Who is Cornell Powell and why should we care?

2021 No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence became the fourth-ever first-round quarterback to have a Peyton Manning Best Comparable Player comp. He’s only the second quarterback in the database with Manning has his No. 1 comparison. Lawrence has two former No. 1 overall picks in his five Best Comparable Player comps, while the other three quarterbacks are non-first round quarterbacks. The ceiling is top-5 fantasy quarterback that leads NFL in passing yards and touchdowns. His floor is a low-QB2 that becomes a fantasy football non-factor. 

Justin Fields’ Best Comparable Player comps are interesting because despite running a 4.51 (99th-percentile among qualified quarterbacks) 40-Yard Dash, Robert Griffin is the only mobile quarterback in his comps. He has the requisite speed, but his college rushing production didn’t match his athletic measurements. Fields’ ceiling is a league-winning dual-threat quarterback in fantasy leagues and his floor is he’s an inconsistent QB2 in fantasy leagues held back by his passing limitations and decision-making; a pseudo-Scott Fish Bowl cheat code quarterback.