The Los Angeles Rams are picking in the first round of the NFL Draft for the first time since 2016. That year, they traded up from the 15th overall pick to the first overall selection in order to take quarterback Jared Goff. Part of the cost was their first round pick in 2017.
In 2018, the Rams traded their first round pick to the New England Patriots for wide receiver Brandin Cooks. The following year, 2019, they traded out of the first round to land more draft capital.
The Rams’ 2020 and 2021 first round picks were traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars for star defensive back Jalen Ramsey, and their 2022 and 2023 first round picks were part of the trade with the Detroit Lions that brought Matthew Stafford to Los Angeles.
Now, looking at drafting a player in the first round for the first time in over half a decade, many wonder what the Rams will do with the 19th overall selection. Many believe they should use it to start planning for a future without Stafford.
Los Angeles Rams Quarterback Matthew Stafford’s Best Days Are Behind Him
The aforementioned trade for Matthew Stafford that cost the Rams two first round picks and Jared Goff accomplished its goal: a Super Bowl victory. However, if the Rams wish to compete in the future with their fierce division rival, the San Francisco 49ers, they need to start thinking about life without Stafford.
While Stafford played in 15 games last season, the two games that he missed were significant reminders that, without him, the Rams are in dire trouble at the quarterback position. In one of these games, the Rams’ offense put up just three points against a woeful Green Bay Packers defense. The other was the final game of the season, a game saved by the unexpected heroics of Carson Wentz.
The fact of the matter is that Stafford has missed games due to injury in three of the past five seasons, and in two of those years he missed about half of the team’s games.
At 35 years old, Stafford may still have a few quality years left in him, but the time for Los Angeles to start thinking about training his replacement is now.
The Los Angeles Rams Could Trade Up to the Top 10 in the 2024 NFL Draft
With the 19th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Rams could select one of the second-tier quarterbacks that are projected as late first round picks. However, on NFL analyst believes that they could trade up into the top 10 to select one of the more coveted quarterbacks in the class.
Gordon McGuinness of PFF writes:
“So, while people wonder who the Rams might select with their first first-round pick since 2016, I’m wondering whether they will attempt to move up for one of the top four quarterbacks in this draft class, should one fall out of the top five. Los Angeles with head coach Sean McVay would be the perfect landing spot for any rookie signal-caller, and they could sit behind Matthew Stafford, who even at 35 years old still ranked fourth among quarterbacks with an 86.0 PFF passing grade in 2023.”
Of course, Caleb Williams being taken first overall by the Chicago Bears is a foregone conclusion. However, other top quarterbacks such as Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, JJ McCarthy, and Bo Nix could be available elsewhere in the top 10.
While it may not seem likely, it is interesting to note that, as mentioned, Los Angeles has done this before, trading up from 15th to the first overall pick in 2016.
Drafting a young quarterback and giving him a chance to sit behind a veteran like Stafford is, in all honesty, the best way to bring a rookie at that position along in the NFL. Jordan Love sat behind Aaron Rodgers who sat behind Brett Favre in Green Bay.
Even Patrick Mahomes sat for a year before starting his magical run with the Kansas City Chiefs.
On Draft Day, just about anything can happen, and the Rams moving up would not be that big of a surprise.
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