If Van Jefferson was injured, who could step up?

The Los Angeles Rams WR depth chart has become extremely intriguing heading into Week 1 of the 2022 NFL season. With Van Jefferson still recovering, there is an opportunity for another player to step up and make an impact as the third WR option. Let’s take a look at the other options on the Rams WR depth chart and see if any of them have upside potential fantasy football options in his absence.

Week 1 Rams WR depth chart

Clearly, the Rams were somewhat prepared to be without Jefferson in Week 1. They had seven receivers in their lineup after the preseason, which means that even without Jefferson, they still have two options at each position. Cooper Kupp and Allen Robinson those are the two obvious starters, but who will be the third option?

In 2021, no team used more 11-man (one quarterback, one tight end, three receivers) than the Rams (86 percent). So, unless this injury to Jefferson causes a personnel change, we should see a third receiver on the field most of the time the Rams are on offense. Let’s take a look at the options on their depth chart and if any of them could have fantasy value this week.

Ben Skowronek

Of the other options on the Rams depth chart, WR Skowronek has seen the most targets in 2021. In the 14 games he suited up, Skawronek played 178 offensive snaps. During that time, he received 20 targets with 11 receptions and 133 passing yards. Of those goals, 12 have come in the last six weeks and 17 in the last eight games. He had just three targets through Week 10 and played just 36 snaps.

After Robert Woods injured in Week 10, Skawronek became the fourth option WR in the Rams offense. When he did play, his time was split between the slot and the outside, much like Jefferson’s role after Woods’ injury. Even when Skawronek was most heavily used, he only saw five targets.

Even if he’s the player who takes the most snaps in Jefferson’s absence, it’s hard to see him having much value as a likely fourth pass catcher in the offense. If you play in leagues with 16 teams or more, five targets can be valuable. The problem is, we don’t know for sure he’ll be a WR3, and Jefferson could be out for a long time. If you’re desperate for a deep league option, Skavronka could be added with an even start. However, this carries great risk.

Tutu Atwell

In his rookie season, Atwell played just 10 offensive snaps and did not score a single target. After DeSean Jackson was traded, there was hope that Atwell would be able to take over as a deep-threat starter on offense. However, Jackson never played more than 32 percent of the Rams’ snaps last year, making him a very play-dependent fantasy option.

We haven’t seen Atwell during the preseason, which is a good sign that the Rams have confidence in the 2021 NFL second-round pick. Still, it’s hard to know what role he will play this season. If he takes on Jackson’s role with an average target depth of more than 20 yards downfield, he will be extremely sharp. However, his speed and agility can also make him an intriguing player on screens and short passes.

Atwell is a tough player who is hard to trust for Week 1 fantasy. While Jefferson’s absence should give him more opportunities to play, it won’t necessarily be in the same role. Atwell’s only real fantasy value right now is there the best ball formats. Entering the season, it’s hard to predict his role in the offense. If he’s a big game option, he’ll be hard to trust as a starter on any given week. Still, if his role is on screens and short passes, he could be an intriguing wire pick in week two.

In deeper fantasy leagues, you can view Atwell as a fly ball. In these deeper leagues, an option like Atwell could be the difference. He may only need one long reception to become a starter in leagues where 50+ receivers start on a weekly basis. Don’t fall for Atwell as a potential punt return option. He had 141 yards on 15 returns last season, but isn’t even listed as a returner on the Rams’ unofficial Week 1 depth chart.

Brandon Powell

Powell played on 59 Special Team Snapshots for the Rams between Weeks 13 and 18, compared to just three on offense. While he is listed among the second WR options on the depth chart, his role on the team appears to be limited to special teams. That could change this year after a full offseason for the program, but it’s hard to predict at this point.

Until we see him hit the target with the Rams, he remains under the radar outside of fantasy leagues that reward return yards. He finished with Los Angeles last year with 133 punt return yards and a touchdown on six punt returns. He also had 208 kickoff return yards on eight returns. If you do play in a league like this, he returned 20+ yards per punt in his 14 opportunities last year and is near the top of the depth chart at both the punt and kickoff return positions.

Lance McCutcheon

Lance McCutcheon was the star of the 2022 NFL preseason among WR position. He turned 20 targets into 15 receptions for 259 yards and two touchdowns. In Week 3 of the preseason, he accounted for three of the Rams’ top four passing yards. ​While he didn’t have a fumble return, he also played on special teams during those three games.

His play impressed enough to earn him a spot on the Rams WR depth chart to open the season. Whether that means playing time early in the season is another question. It’s unlikely to be a starring role, but he’s a name to keep an eye on after completing 75 percent of his preseason targets and averaging more than 80 receiving yards per game. Preseason production doesn’t often translate into fantasy relevance in the regular season, so there’s no rush to add him. Still, it’s worth keeping a close eye on his snap count and role on the roster, assuming he’s active on Thursday.