Chargers @ Rams
Final Score: Rams 23, Chargers 22
Writer: Christian Otteman (@COttemanPL on Twitter)
In the Battle of Los Angeles, the vast majority of the Rams’ starters did not play, including head coach Sean McVay, with Aubrey Pleasant acting as HC for the day. The game came down to the wire, with former National Champion Stetson Bennett IV leading the Rams to victory on a near-last-second TD pass to Tru Edwards. On the Chargers’ side of the ball, rookie Tre’ Harris had a much better preseason performance this time around, and KeAndre Lambert-Smith impressed with a flashy catch on a deep ball from Trey Lance.
Three Up
- Tre’ Harris – After posting a goose egg in his first preseason game, Harris hauled in 6 passes for 85 yards.
- KeAndre Lambert-Smith – Made a couple of chunk plays on deep passes from both Herbert and Lance. He’s behind Johnston on the depth chart, but QJ might be hearing his footsteps.
- Stetson Bennett IV – Another good preseason performance should secure Bennett’s spot on the 53-man roster, especially if Stafford misses the start of the season.
Two Down
- Kimani Vidal – Inefficient on his opportunities out of the backfield. Should still make the roster on special teams or perhaps as the team’s RB2 if Najee Harris were to miss time, though he wouldn’t be an advisable fantasy asset.
- Quentin Johnston – Injuries aside, the offseason additions of Tre’ Harris, KeAndre Lambert-Smith, and Keenan Allen do not bode well for QJ’s fantasy prospects in 2025.
Los Angeles Chargers
Quarterback
Justin Herbert: 2/5, 46 Yards
Justin Herbert started the first drive and looked much like the same poised QB under center. He hit Ladd McConkey for a chunk play up the middle and threw a deep ball to Quentin Johnston on the next play, which was barely tipped and dropped. With some new rookie additions, a veteran presence in Keenan Allen, and exciting new additions to the running game, Herbert and the Chargers are poised for an exciting offensive season.
Taylor Heinicke: 6/11, 56 Yards | 2 Carries, 19 Yards
Taylor Heinicke was the second QB to take the field for the Chargers, and he looked like Taylor Heinicke, which is neither a compliment nor a slight. While it looks like Trey Lance has won the team’s backup QB battle, Heinicke should either land on the team’s practice squad or sign with another team soon. He’s the stereotypical journeyman backup NFL QB.
Trey Lance: 7/15, 121 Yards | 4 Carries, 25 Yards
Trey Lance looked good once again in preseason action and should be the team’s QB2 headed into Week 1. He was the team’s leading rusher, which speaks volumes about both Lance and the LA backfield backups.
Running Back
Kimani Vidal: 10 Carries, 16 Yards
Kimani Vidal may be the team’s RB2 if Najee Harris isn’t ready for the start of the season, but that doesn’t make him an appealing fantasy option. Though the Chargers’ backup O-line did not look particularly strong, Vidal hasn’t displayed much upside in his NFL career thus far.
Omarion Hampton: 2 Carries, 12 Yards
Hampton is firmly entrenched as the team’s RB1, and this preseason game does nothing to change that.
Raheim Sanders: 5 Carries, 11 Yards, 1 TD | 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 17 Yards
“Rocket” is a UDFA doing his best to make the team’s 53-man roster. His preseason debut was more impressive, but if Najee isn’t ready for Week 1, Sanders has a great chance to crack the roster.
Nyheim Miller-Hines: 0 Carries | 1 Target, 0 Receptions
Hey, that guy! And a name change a la Dee Strange-Gordon! Yes, this is the same player you know from the Indianapolis Colts. No, you should not consider drafting him. I’ll be rooting for him to make the team, and so should you, though he’s more likely to wind up on the practice squad.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Tre’ Harris: 8 Targets, 6 Receptions, 85 Yards
Tre’ Harris had a much better game this time around, including an impressive toe-tapping catch on a deep ball from Lance to set the team up at the 1. He’s the classic example of a late-round dart throw with a strong chance to earn a larger role as the season moves along.
toe drag swag
📺 | CBS2 LA pic.twitter.com/6SrqLzZrRi
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) August 17, 2025
KeAndre Lambert-Smith: 6 Targets, 2 Receptions, 66 Yards
“KLS” ran a nice corner route to catch a key third-down pass from Herbert on the team’s first drive. Herbert also tried to find him on a goal-to-go play, but the Rams covered the pass well, and he was unable to bring it in. The fact that KLS was getting reps with the first team after Quentin Johnston‘s injury and that Herbert went to him multiple times is telling of the team’s belief in the fifth-round rookie. He also made a very impressive catch on a deep ball from Trey Lance towards the end of the first half. A good taxi squad stash, but off the redraft radar for now.
KLYES
📺 | CBS2 LA pic.twitter.com/pM46XEZpxs
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) August 17, 2025
Ladd McConkey: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 17 Yards
He caught an over-the-middle pass from Herbert on the first drive and sat out the rest of the game. Both the expectations and upside are high for the second-year Georgia product.
Quentin Johnston: 2 Targets, 0 Receptions
QJ suffered a scary-looking injury on the first drive and was later diagnosed with a concussion. He should be ready for the start of the season, but shouldn’t be considered a target in your drafts after the offseason additions to this receiving corps.
JaQuae Jackson: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 13 Yards
Oronde Gadsden II: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 12 Yards
Jaylen Johnson: 3 Targets, 1 Reception, 7 Yards
Luke Grimm: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 6 Yards
Dalevon Campbell: 2 Targets, 0 Receptions
Brenden Rice: 2 Targets, 0 Receptions
Los Angeles Rams
Quarterback
Stetson Bennett IV: 28/40, 324 Yards, 3 TD, 1 INT | 2 Carries, 4 Yards
The back injury to Matthew Stafford remains one of the most important storylines of the preseason. While Jimmy Garoppolo is listed as the team’s QB2, Stetson Bennett IV had a solid performance in this preseason game and should quell any worries about finding a backup should Stafford miss any time. Yes, he threw the game-winning touchdown pass, but the highlight I’m choosing to show is him attempting to tackle 305-pound TeRah Edwards after throwing an interception in the 4th quarter. You can’t say he doesn’t want it.
STETSON BENNETT IS A PSYCHOPATH pic.twitter.com/jJ0D2NVTpu
— Skinny (@skinnydawg10) August 17, 2025
Running Back
Jarquez Hunter: 15 Carries, 55 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 2 Yards
Jarquez Hunter has been a popular late-round Dynasty draft pick this summer, but this is still Kyren Williams‘ backfield, and Blake Corum‘s lack of involvement in this game suggests he is still the team’s RB2. Another taxi squad stash that should be closely monitored throughout the season in redraft leagues.
Cody Schrader: 13 Carries, 48 Yards | 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 24 Yards
Cody Schrader is on the roster bubble as the team’s RB4 and won’t be fantasy-relevant in 2025.
Blake Corum: 4 Carries, 22 Yards
Limited but fairly efficient touches for Blake Corum in this game. While McVay is notorious for running backfields favoring a single player, Corum remains a valuable handcuff.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Konata Mumpfield: 4 Targets, 2 Receptions, 12 Yards
There’s very little to write home about with the Rams’ pass catchers in this game. Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, Tutu Atwell, and Jordan Whittington are clearly the team’s top four options at wide receiver. It would take a lot for Konata Mumpfield or Xavier Smith to become relevant fantasy options.
Xavier Smith: 4 Targets, 4 Receptions, 49 Yards | 1 Carry, 5 Yards
Brennan Presley: 8 Targets, 6 Receptions, 102 Yards
Mario Williams: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 46 Yards
Tru Edwards: 4 Targets, 3 Receptions, 32 Yards
Drake Stoops: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 23 Yards
Mark Redman: 4 Targets, 3 Receptions, 21 Yards
Britain Covey: 6 Targets, 3 Receptions, 13 Yards