Let’s be brutally honest: The Rams are a mess, and their offense worsened in the offseason after the departures of Orlando Pace and Torry Holt. Can St. Louis’ offense turn things around in 2009? That answer might hinge on Steven Jackson’s health.

Quarterback: Marc Bulger’s decline from an elite fantasy QB to an afterthought hasn’t been pretty. Even if he stays healthy this year, I don’t seeing him rebound to his 2006 numbers. You could take a chance on him as a low-end QB2, but realistically, expect another QB3 season from this fading fantasy star.

Running backs: Jackson has played only 12 games the last two seasons and has not been as effective when he does play as he was in his monster 2006 campaign. Still, I don’t think you can let him fall out of the first round. He still has the potential for 1,200 yards rushing and 70 receptions. Those numbers are too good to pass up late in the first round. Draft him as your top RB if he’s available after about the No. 10 overall pick, and hold your breath.

Wide receivers: With the departure of Holt, Donnie Avery becomes the featured receiver. He put up respectable numbers last season as the Rams’ No. 2 receiver, and should improve those stats in 2009. He’s a solid WR3 with potential — again, if Bulger stays healthy. New acquisition Laurent Robinson and rookie Keenan Burton could approach Avery’s stats from 2008, but neither is a sure enough bet to risk on draft day.

Tight ends: Randy McMichael missed most of last season with a broken leg. Healthy, he warrants consideration as a TE2, but on this offense, a lower-tier TE2, if that.

Kicker: Josh Brown is a solid kicker on a bad offense. That said, he’s a K2 with potential if the Rams’ offense suddenly returns to its “Greatest Show on Turf” form. But that’s a big if.