The Los Angeles Rams enter the 2026 season with expectations that are as high as they have been in years. After a deep playoff push and an aggressive offseason that included adding marquee talent on both sides of the football, the Rams appear built to contend for another NFC title. However, every season brings statistical regression somewhere on the roster. Not every player can replicate career-best production, especially on a team with shifting roles, evolving schemes, and a significantly tougher
schedule ahead.
Regression does not necessarily mean failure. In many cases, it simply means a player’s production may normalize after an exceptional season or because circumstances around them have changed. For the Rams, several key contributors could see their numbers dip in 2026 for a variety of reasons ranging from personnel usage to increased competition for snaps.
1. Davante Adams, WR
Davante Adams remains one of the most polished route runners and productive receivers of his generation, but the Rams’ offensive structure could naturally lower his overall statistical output in 2026. While Adams is still capable of producing at a high level, the Rams are expected to lean heavily into 13 personnel packages this season, which would place three tight ends on the field at once.
That offensive approach could significantly reduce Adams’ snap volume compared to traditional three-receiver offenses. The Rams have invested heavily in their tight end room and appear committed to creating mismatches through heavier personnel groupings. That means fewer opportunities for Adams to dominate target share the way he has throughout much of his career especially while serving as the team’s #2 WR behind Puka Nacua.
A hamstring injury also cost Adams time in 2025. Not to mention, when he was healthy, it seemed as though Adams lacked an extra gear.
I may be willing to compromise and believe that Adams will actually have more yards in 2026 (~ 900) but will have less touchdowns (~ 9).
2. Kyren Williams, RB
Kyren Williams has been the heartbeat of the Rams’ backfield over the last two seasons, but 2026 could mark the beginning of a more balanced workload distribution. The biggest reason is the continued growth of Blake Corum in his second NFL season.
The Rams have consistently praised Corum’s development, and the expectation around the league is that Los Angeles will move toward a near 50-50 split at running back this year. That alone would likely reduce Williams’ carries, total yards, and touchdown opportunities.
Another factor is the presence of Jarquez Hunter, the Rams’ 2025 third-round pick. Hunter is the biggest running back on the roster and could carve out a meaningful short-yardage and goal-line role. If Hunter becomes the preferred power option near the end zone, Williams could see a noticeable decline in rushing touchdowns even if he remains the team’s most versatile back.
Williams is still an incredibly valuable player because of his receiving ability and pass protection, but his overall numbers may regress simply because the Rams now have more depth and more reasons to spread touches across the backfield.
3. Emmanuel Forbes, CB
Emmanuel Forbes faces perhaps the clearest path toward regression because of changes to the Rams’ secondary. The additions of Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson have dramatically reshaped the cornerback depth chart.
Forbes now projects more as a backup corner or rotational defensive back rather than a full-time starter. At best, he may primarily see action in dime packages or specialized passing situations. That reduction in playing time naturally limits opportunities for impact plays such as interceptions, pass breakups, and tackles.
While Forbes still possesses intriguing ball skills and athleticism, consistency has remained a concern throughout his young NFL career. The Rams adding two established contributors at cornerback suggests they may no longer view Forbes as someone ready for a major every-down role. With fewer snaps likely coming his way, statistical regression feels almost inevitable in 2026.
4. Davis Allen, TE
Davis Allen is another player who could see diminished production because of overwhelming competition within his position group. The Rams suddenly possess one of the deepest tight end rooms in football, and that creates a difficult path toward meaningful targets.
Tyler Higbee is healthy and returning for another season, giving the Rams a trusted veteran presence. Terrance Ferguson is viewed internally as a promising young player with substantial upside entering year two. Meanwhile, Colby Parkinson arguably looks like the best all-around tight end on the roster entering training camp.
As if that were not enough competition already, the Rams also drafted Max Klare in April as another developmental piece they clearly want to groom for the future.
With so many bodies competing for snaps and targets, Allen may struggle to consistently stay involved offensively. Even if the Rams utilize heavy tight end packages frequently, there are simply too many mouths to feed for Allen to maintain or improve upon previous production.
5. Matthew Stafford
Take a breath. Hear me out. Matthew Stafford is coming off one of the finest seasons of his career, throwing 46 touchdowns against just eight interceptions in 2025. Replicating those numbers would be difficult for any quarterback, regardless of talent level. Matthew Stafford is still Matthew Stafford though.
The Rams are also expected to face a far more difficult schedule in 2026, with stronger opposing defenses and more high-level playoff contenders on the slate. That alone could lead to natural statistical decline. Defenses will also spend the offseason studying how to slow down a Rams offense that was among the league’s most explosive units last year.
It is important to emphasize that regression for Stafford does not mean he is headed for a poor season. A drop from 46 touchdowns to the mid-30s would still represent excellent quarterback play. However, expecting another near-flawless touchdown-to-interception ratio while navigating a more challenging schedule may simply be unrealistic.
The Rams can still remain one of the NFC’s elite teams even if Stafford’s numbers come back down slightly. In fact, a more balanced offense featuring heavier personnel groupings and a stronger running back rotation may actually benefit the team overall, even if it results in statistical regression for several individual players.
