NFL training camps are open, and for millions of people worldwide their fantasy football preparation has begun in earnest. Here at Sports World News we will break down all 32 NFL teams in terms of their fantasy value. Readers will find the must-own players in every format, the sleepers in specific formats, and hidden gems only necessary for those in very deep leagues.
Today's preview will be on the St. Louis Rams.
Must Own
Zac Stacy, RB: Stacy enters the season as the clear-cut starting running back, no matter who started any preseason games, and is the only relevant player from this offense in Week 1. His 3.9 yards per carry isn't very impressive, but with Sam Bradford out for the season, his workload will be something fantasy owners love.
Sleepers (Best format)
Kenny Britt, WR (Standard): Britt's a reclamation project whose stock was rising with Bradford at the helm. After all, Britt's flashed No. 1 receiver potential in the past, only to undermine himself by getting hurt on the field or in trouble off it. He may still be the top dog in the passing game, but with Shaun Hill running the show it may not be a passing game owners want to invest in.
Tavon Austin, WR (PPR): Austin could be too small to trust as a WR1, but if he can be unleashed in a slot role, or even as a threat from the backfield at times, he could emerge as a PPR demon capable of doing damage in open space. At times his unreal speed revealed the potential for great things in 2013.
Benny Cunningham, RB (Standard): Although all the talk in the early preseason was about Auburn rookie Tre Mason threatening Stacy's carries, Cunningham has been the impressive backup running back. Cunningham is listed ahead of Mason on the depth chart, and has played in limited doses before.
Jared Cook, TE (Standard): At this point Cook's pretty much beyond the "sleeper" point, and on the "will never own" list for most people. The tantalizing physicality has never translated to fantasy dominance for Cook, and he's been in the NFL for five seasons, but he still belongs on the list.
Defense/Special Teams: This D-Line could be the best in the NFL, but the offense now projects to be so poor that it hurts the defense's value. That said, expect a ton of sacks if this is your unit. Austin as a return man is potential enough for a flier.
Deep Finds (Best Format)
Tre Mason, RB (Standard): Mason was a dominant rusher at the college level, but he can't just impose his physicality at will anymore, and he needs to figure that out. Mason was so prolific though, it's hard to imagine him being held down all season. It may be down the road, but Mason will be heard from.
Greg Zurlein, K: Greg The Leg made seven field goals of 50 yards or longer in 2012, and while he didn't approach that number last year, he connected on almost 93 percent of his attempts.
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