The 2024 NFL draft is just a few weeks away and it’s anyone’s guess as to which position the Los Angeles Rams will target with their first-round pick. Edge rusher, defensive tackle, cornerback and offensive tackle are all possibilities, but we still can’t rule out quarterback – even after the team drafted Stetson Bennett last year and signed Jimmy Garoppolo this offseason.
Of course, the Rams won’t be in the mix for the top three quarterbacks (Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye), but there could be as many as six passers going in the first round. Might Los Angeles consider taking one of J.J. McCarthy, Bo Nix or Michael Penix Jr.?
Colin Cowherd could see them drafting Nix at No. 19 overall and having him sit for two years behind Matthew Stafford. Cowherd isn’t reporting any inside info, but simply sharing his opinion of what the Rams might do in Round 1.
“The Rams are a sleeper for a lot of people,” he said. “They’re one of those teams that has been very successful without first-round picks. This is their first first-rounder in a long time, and they’re at 19. I can see the Rams sliding down if Bo Nix is there. I’ve been in a war room before and you start going, ‘Well, the next four teams don’t need quarterbacks.’ At 19, you’re getting into, like, Dallas may (take a quarterback), but they need some pieces. I can see the Rams going and saying, We’re going to take Bo Nix and he’s going to sit for two years.’ I could totally see that happening.
“I think the Rams would roll the dice on Bo Nix because the Stetson Bennett (pick) didn’t work. Stafford feels like he’s hurt at least once to twice a year. That one’s interesting.”
Nix would seem like a pretty good fit in Sean McVay’s offense. He gets the ball out quickly, is accurate on short and intermediate throws and he has enough mobility to extend plays when his initial reads aren’t there.
He’s still a limited passer and didn’t throw down the field much at all with the Ducks, so there are questions about his deep throwing ability and overall arm talent. But that’s why he’s not in the top tier of quarterbacks in this class, and it could get him drafted in the second round instead of the first.
As possible as it is that the Rams will take a quarterback at No. 19, that feels a bit early for them to select Nix, especially if there’s a high-end pass rusher.