Drafting a QB replacement doesn’t get the team closer to a Super Bowl…
We are less than two weeks until the opening night of the 2025 NFL Draft. Les Snead, Sean McVay and the scouting team are burning the midnight oil to finalize their draft plans. A lot of speculation as emerged recently as to the possibility of Los Angeles targeting a quarterback – a la Jason Dart or Jalen Milroe. While this could be a possibility, here is why the Rams probably are not looking quarterback and want to find an impact player.
The re-signing of Matthew Stafford (and backing him)
Sean McVay has been pretty vocal about Stafford since the organization and quarterback managed to come to an agreement in early March. He admits that he sleeps much easier at night knowing they have their Super Bowl LXI championship quarterback leading the offense for another year. Not to mention, the Rams were able to retain Jimmy Garoppolo for another year; signing him to a 1 year deal with incentives. The idea of drafting and adding a 3rd quarterback to the roster just does not seem to fit the puzzle for a team that is looking to contend for the Super Bowl in 2025.
2024 & 2023 drafts are evidence that the Rams value “NFL-ready”
Steve Avila, Byron Young, Kobie Turner, Jared Verse, and Braden Fiske all grabbed starting jobs out in their rookie seasons. This was a huge shift from previous seasons when the Rams sparingly used their early-round rookies; preferring to find developmental projects (Joe Noteboom, Darrell Henderson, Cam Akers, and Tutu Atwell).
Regarding the Rams and 2025 prospects that are NFL ready, ESPN’s Matt Miller reported:
“A rival scout I talked to didn’t expect Los Angeles to be active on the trade front, predicting that the team would use each of its eight picks because ‘they need young bodies,’” Miller wrote. “The Rams have shifted their philosophy to target more instant-impact players and fewer developmental prospects. The scout also added: ‘They’ll be patient and draft a ready-made player from a big conference.”
Los Angeles could still add “impact” to a number of positional groups such as RB, WR, TE, LB, and CB. It’s safe to say that quarterback, the offensive line, and defensive line are unlikely picks and appear cemented heading into training camp.
2025 NFL Draft Plan to Improving…
- Find a difference maker at nickel / star
Since the Rams lost Jalen Ramsey as their “star” defender, the secondary has had to rely on mid-to-late draft picks and castaway players like Akhello Witherspoon. They have had flashes of success, but they’ve ever been dominant. The Eagles were able to really change their defense with the addition of Cooper DeJean as their nickel corner. If the Rams can find that guy in this draft, they need to turn their card in and plug that hole.
Potential pick: Jahdae Barron, CB/S, Texas
2. Draft a home run hitting running back
The Rams need to diversify their backfield. Kyren Williams is dependable in short yardage situations and moves the chains. But LA must find a guy that can break the heart of a defense by taking one carry to the house at any point. Strengthening the running back room prevents the Rams from being so dependent on Kyren Williams or even Matthew Stafford (becoming pass heavy).
Potential pick: Jarquez Hunter, RB, Auburn
3. Create a mismatch with an adding a WR or TE
The Rams “subbed out” Cooper Kupp and brought in Davante Adams to pair with Puka Nacua. The two will command the majority of targets from Matthew Stafford. Yes, Tutu Atwell was retained, but the Rams still need to find a consistent third option in the passing game. Whether that is through another WR or a TE, having a mismatch option via speed or length, or a combination of both would continue to “diversify” Sean McVay’s offense. Jayden Higgins is a WR with a 6’7” wing span and could provide LA with a red zone threat – an area where the offense has typically stalled.
Potential pick: Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State
Finding a quarterback can and should wait. The Rams should capitalize now on their playoff-tested roster by adding players that get them over the hump and back to the big game!