As the NFL gears up for the annual draft, teams are settling in and finalizing their draft boards. With players participating in various pro days, front offices have had a final opportunity to take a close look at prospects and sometimes those in-depth looks change the mindset and priorities of franchises.
As made evident by the New York Jets’ 2021 draft, many had Justin Fields mocked to the team with their second overall selection. With Trevor Lawrence already set to be drafted by the Jaguars and the need for a quarterback being ever-pressing, the Jets and Fields felt like a natural partnership. However, an outstanding performance by Zach Wilson at his pro day sent the BYU gunslinger to New York and Fields to Chicago.
Wilson should serve as a warning in investing too much thought into a player’s pro day and it did until Will Levis fell out of the first despite his solid pro day and in his limited time with Tennessee, he has shown tremendous talent and is the Titans’ projected starter in 2024.
Teams will be willing to spend some capital for a quarterback and with the history of early runs on rookie quarterbacks throughout all three days of the draft, trends are changing and the Rams are in a position to benefit.
As they sit at No. 19 overall, there are several teams that need quarterbacks and for those that have only a temporary solution at the position, they may trade up for their passer of the future.
Expected first-round quarterbacks include Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels, Michael Penix Jr., J.J. McCarthy and Bo Nix. Potentially Spencer Rattler could throw himself into the mix as well.
So how does this help the Rams? Considering the Rams don’t have an immediate need at the position, that’s six or seven selections at a position that probably isn’t a priority to Los Angeles. That will also push back several top talents, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
With the projected selections of Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, Joe Alt, Olu Fashanu, Rome Odunze, Brock Bowers, Terrion Arnold and Dallas Turner inside the top 15, that’s fifteen prospects that the Rams have almost no shot of acquiring – meaning there could be a potential drop in projected targets.
Top talents like Nate Wiggins, Chop Robinson, Byron Murphy II, Jer’Zhan Newton and Brian Thomas Jr. could become available to the Rams despite their top 15 guys likely being off the board. Offensive tackles like Aramius Mims, Taliese Fuaga, Tyler Guyton and Graham Barton could be available, as well.
As the talent pool increases with every QB selection, there’s also another element in play. The Bills just traded away Stefon Diggs. If the Rams selection comes up and there’s a quality receiver available, perhaps a draft day trade with Buffalo is in the realm of possibility.
Long story short, the more QBs drafted before pick 19, the better. The Rams are on the verge of something special and the desperation of others could bring a fruitful harvest for GM Les Snead and the organization.