[Dare]

I think we must keep in mind we aren't talking career backup. We are talking about the future franchise QB of the Rams for years to come. Bennett proved what a wasted pick he was, thank god he was a third day pick, i.e. strictly looked at as a backup. Going off that, I see them taking a QB at 26 or trading down getting a high second and another 3rd. That will give them flexibility to follow the dictates of the flow of the draft.

You don't play Stafford not to start and have the future franchise behind him adjusting to the NFL and refining his game. In other words regardless of how many years Stafford extends for it's IMO only a one year deal with the other years to spread cap and give them future option should there be a problem with the rookie.

I think that this is the year that the Rams draft a QB, be in on the first day or second day. But regardless I think they will target a fairly polished player. Spend the first year allowing him to adjust to the NFL, and learn the offense and the teammates. That is to say I don't see whoever they take as not being a "project" type QB. Afterall he will be #2QB from day one of the season. He must be polished enough coming in as a rookie to step up if called on. I've already named the three I think fit that bill, but there are probably others I don't know of. But I will trust the Ram's scouting department on this. Remember it wasn't the normal scouts that chose Bennett, Sean had delegated that to two of his assistants.

What adds intrigue to this whole dynamic is McVay's future. Will he stay through the end of his contract or will he walk away one year early once "his" QB has retired? Will he extend for multiple years? If he is going to walk away sometime be it at the end of this year or after 2026 then Snead and Kroenke know that and have known it since he returned from his almost walking away a couple of years ago.

The reason I mention this is because it adds another layer to the QB question. I honestly think if McVay is gone by 2027 they have already decided on who will take over and is probably on the staff. IMO as I've said before I would think Shula is the logical choice. As such I would expect him to be involved in the choice of who they will take in the draft. He's a very aggressive play caller as we have seen. He's much like Campbell in that way though not as reckless. But I like that quality in him and think he would be an outstanding HC. But if this is true his input will be on the QB pick. He might want to go full blown RPO in which case everything we know about the Ram offense will change.

That said I don't think whoever takes over following McVay isn't likely to simply change the offense over night. These offense personnel were chosen because of the style McVay plays. Looking at Forbes and Wallace I think we can see indications of how Shula is changing the defense. I think he favors taller DBs (as do I) as it changes how they can play the position. I don't see anymore Tre Tomlinson (smaller) CBs being drafted.

Yeah this draft will tell us a lot about not only where this offense is going but also perhaps give us some hint about McVay's future.

[Youngblood22]

I dont think shula is head coach material. Not now at least. If we were to hire a new coach from our current staff I would look at lafluer.. Or go outside the team.

[AvengerRam]

The buzz will grow…

[Dare]

Jax is an RPO QB and reading defenses beyond two is always the problem with them. Look at Kyler, when he can't get beyond 2 he tries to break contain to get dropped coverages or he runs for what he can get. When he can't get out he's toast.

Yes, a certain amount of that can be coached but it takes a few years to develop in a player who has never done it. Unless the Rams go to a pure RPO offense which they don't have the RBs to play consistently I've discounted them as potential starters in LA. His inaccuracies really are a function of not only his inability to read but breakdowns in his mechanics. Again at least a 3rd year starter at best. A QB's first year is just adjusting to the speed of the game and the complexities of the NFL. Then if they have other issues, i.e. learning to read and mechanics that is what takes up those other two years normally.

We see how a guy like Trey Lance with a lot of talent can't make the transition from a pure RPO QB to an offense similar to what McVay runs, requiring a read heavy capable QB. When they got Lance I assumed that RPO was going to be their primary offensive focus, with occasional stand in the pocket and deliver passes. Had they done that, Lance might have worked out. But they tried to totally remake him and failed miserably. Purdy is actually the kind of QB the Rams would be looking for. I joked to my GF that they should work out a deal with another team that would trade for Purdy. Then at some point trade him to the Rams.

Brock's strength is his ability to process his reads very fast, and he offers good mobility as well when things breakdown. His game is the short and intermediate passing game with the ability to throw deep accurately. That said as was shown last year he needs a decent team around him, which can be said of 90+% of QBs in the NFL. He's the kind of QB that falls into the "good enough" category. His issue is he's believing all the media and is overvaluing his worth. IMO he's a $35-$45M / year QB not a $50-$60M/year.

[BobCarl]

You don’t find a Tom Brady very often.

Though considering Tom Brady as THE goat. ... (I claimed a few years back that Mahomes is), nevertheless You prompted me to ponder ... how many Hall of Fame QB's were NOT drafted in the 1st round?

Just a few ...

Norm Van Brocklin was taken in the fourth round.
Kurt Warner undrafted.
Bob Waterfield in the fifth round
Steve Young started with the USFL in 1984
Johnny Unitas ... 9th round
Fran Tarkenton ... 3rd round
Roger Staubach ... 10th round
Bart Starr ... 17th round
Ken Stabler ... 2nd round
Warren Moon ... undrafted
Joe Montana ... 3rd round
Sonny Jurgensen .... 4th round
Dan Fouts ... 3rd round
Brett Farve ... 2nd round
George Blanda ... 12th round

How many Generations did these "generational" QB's cover?

If I hope that the Rams can find the next Kurt Warner then it would mean that I hope that Stafford gets his knee blown out in preseason ... no, I don't want that. Maybe the Rams will roll the dice and pick someone in the 6th round, oh I don't want that either, Brady got his opportunity because of an injury to a very good QB.

Oh, lets trade two 1st round picks, two 2nd round picks and two 3rd round picks for the next Sam Bradford. .... nah ... bad idea.

Why doesn't someone ask Les Snead what he thinks?

[Dare]

What if the Rams return to F'em picks for this one player? I think they very well could and they might be working on a trade which would account for McVay's impatience. Not of Stafford, they will need him for a bridge. No this player has a lot in common with Matt as they are both the same height and about the same weight Matt was as a rookie. The big difference is Cam is much faster.

The player I'm looking at is Cam Ward. He's a pocket passer with good mobility. Analytics puts his speed about 4.6-4.7 and ran for 300 yds this past season. He's shown he's has a budding ability to read and go through progression. He's exactly what you might be looking for if he's going to sit and learn behind Stafford. Like Stafford, Cam can look a safety off and throw with various arm angles.

Ward is a pocket passer with deadly accuracy in the intermediate range which is where McVay cooks. His deep balls are inconsistent but due to inconsistent mechanics which can be improved. He is expected to be a top 5 pick but because he's a pocket passer and not an RPO QB he could go closer to 5 than 1. Guess what NE has the #4 pick and doesn't need a QB. But they would take the 3 picks to rebuild their team and it could be sweetened with a WR (Tutu) who they can resign to a one year deal and trade him.

If the Rams are going to move up to get a QB1, Cam Ward or someone like him could very well be on their radar in the first round. We can't assume they will take a QB outside of the first round.

[Youngblood22]

I think the rams will take a QB in a later round, develop for a year or two, someone like Leonard or howard. Not worth all those picks for the top two.

[Indrid Cold]

To me, Dart’s weaknesses are he is late on non-primary reads, and he is not terribly accurate. Can that be coached out?? I think we should wait until there are some really top quality first round QBs in a draft class. Could be 2026/2027. Most of the elite QBs are first round picks. You don’t find a Tom Brady very often.

Count me in on don't waste a pick this year on a QB.

[Dare]

I think if the Rams stand pat at 26 and Riley Leonard is on the board I think they grab him. He has the mobility Sean wants to expand the offense and be a threat in the red zone. What has impressed me about Leonard is his development over the past year. It shows good work ethic and a coachable player. Give him a year to learn behind Stafford and the Rams should have a very good QB. Unlike many QBs in this draft, Leonard is a pocket passer who can run.

I wasn't able to watch the entire Senior bowl but saw some of it and Leonard looked solid and his improvement over last year was notable. That is exactly what you want to see. Since the Rams don't have a high second round pick then 26 would be where they would have to get him if they don't move up. I don't think he will not be the mid or late round QB that most have suggested. Again that 5th year option for the first round pick would be huge for a QB who is going to sit and develop for a year. IMO this is the Ram's last chance to get a QB in the draft and not have to play him as a rookie.