Rams won’t need a premium pick to draft their next franchise QB

[AvengerRam]

There were some who thought that this might be a year in which the Rams would consider drafting Matthew Stafford’s successor at QB. They, of course, did not… though six teams did select QBs in the first half of the first round.

What about next year?

I think that 2025 could be a great year for the Rams to acquire their heir apparent.

The reason: lack of competition for the top QBs.

Looking around the league, I see 19 teams that almost certainly won’t be looking to draft a QB in the first round of the 2025 draft because they have a young starter with a mega-contract, drafted a QB in the first round of the last two drafts or, in the 49ers’ case, have a starter playing on a bargain rookie contract. They are: Buffalo, New England, Baltimore, Cleveland, Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, L.A. Chargers, Arizona, New Orleans, San Francisco, Washington, Chicago, Atlanta, Carolina, Minnesota, Philadelphia, Cincinnati

There are also 8 teams that are very unlikely to be looking to draft a QB because they either have a starter who will likely be extended before next year’s draft or they have a starter who, though not on a mega-deal, has a lot of dead cap money in 2025. They are: Miami, Tennessee, Detroit, Dallas, Green Bay, NY Giants, New Orleans, Tampa, Jacksonville

That leaves a market of only five teams, including the Rams. They are:

New York Jets, who could conceivably look for a successor to Aaron Rodgers.
Pittsburgh, who have Russell Wilson and Justin Fields playing on expiring contracts.
Las Vegas, who could be the most QB needy team.
Seattle, who have Geno Smith and Sam Howell.

It remains to be seen how deep next year’s QB class will be, but this bodes well for the Rams, as they could very well fill their need to find Stafford’s successor without having to move up to the top 5-10 picks in the draft.

 

[Kupped]

No one knows and there is soooooo much speculation here about various factors that the core premise isn't very useful or applicable.

Injuries, regression and failure to develop are things that could greatly increase competition.

The easiest way to get an excellent QB is having a top-ten draft pick.

There are multiple ways to get there.

I believe the Rams will be ready/willing to pay the premium for their next QB.. whether that be through the draft, a trade, or free agency, especially if this Rams draft is close to as successful as the last draft.

 

[brucebruce]

no need to draft. smart qbs who want to win and match well with personality/skills will seek out joining mcvay after going through a painful rookie contract or will simply request a trade. herbert next.

 

[Londoner]

Great in theory, but we all know that it never works out like that. Every year, we see teams scrambling to draft the next big thing at quarterback or, as was the case this year, simply reaching for players at the position.

Much depends upon whether or not Stafford decides to stay on for 2025.

 

[AvengerRam]

No one knows and there is soooooo much speculation here about various factors that the core premise isn't very useful or applicable.

---

 

[Kupped]

---

Hey.. put a concept up, accept the feedback. It's a discussion forum and not all takes are good.. I very much include myself in that statement.

So, maybe be open to it? Or.. not?

Either way, really flawed premise. But.. you go!!!

 

[brucebruce]

no need to draft. smart qbs who want to win and match well with personality/skills will seek out joining mcvay after going through a painful rookie contract or will simply request a trade. herbert next.

rams will continually build a team that just needs a plug and play vet qb. which qb wouldn't want that with mcvay at the helm after seeing what he did with staff. it's clear that mcvay doesnt have the patience to build a qb's career and will rather pair up with an experienced qb to win now and compete for the next five+ years.

 

[AvengerRam]

Hey.. put a concept up, accept the feedback. It's a discussion forum and not all takes are good.. I very much include myself in that statement.

So, maybe be open to it? Or.. not?

Either way, really flawed premise. But.. you go!!!

If you’d like to tell me which teams I’ve mischaracterized in terms of their QB situation in 2024-25, we can have a constructive conversation.

If you just want to dismiss things and pick fights, I’m not interested.

 

[Kupped]

If you’d like to tell me which teams I’ve mischaracterized in terms of their QB situation in 2024-25, we can have a constructive conversation.

If you just want to dismiss things and pick fights, I’m not interested.

I don't feel the need. I told you the gaping holes I saw and, based on those, there's not really any sense in speculating who will be in the QB market next season.

It's not about what's mischaracterized now.. it's about the amount of time between now and next draft and how much can change in the NFL in one year.

 

[CGI_Ram]

rams will continually build a team that just needs a plug and play vet qb. which qb wouldn't want that with mcvay at the helm after seeing what he did with staff. it's clear that mcvay doesnt have the patience to build a qb's career and will rather pair up with an experienced qb to win now and compete for the next five+ years.

This is the way I see it. A rookie QB feels like a lost season or a rebuilding season and I am not sure that's our Rams for a while. A vet that can come in and win right now feels like the model we want to be in. Similar to the point in which we brought in Stafford.

I am not sure I agree with the premise McVay doesn't have the patience to develop one, although following Goff I can see how that might be possible or a critique of his.

Hopefully, we don't get the "rebuild" mojo going any time soon.

 

[PARAM]

Here's the thing that puts my mind at ease.

1. The Rams have another 1st round pick next year.
2. The Rams have a 2026 first round draft pick too.

That is enough to gain a selection in the top 10, possibly top 5 next year. If there is a QB they covet and their desire to draft him is high, they can do it. Or, if Stafford decides to retire, they can trade with Atlanta for Cousins since they already have his replacement in place. So many possibilites, too far ahead to narrow down.

 

[dang]

And what talented QB vet who is undervalued wouldn’t want to play for the Rams. Look at Mayfield, G-String or even Wentz as examples.

 

[Ramhusker]

Stafford might play 5 more years so there's that. Thinking the Rams get another QB when they feel it's time. That might be 2025 or maybe 2026. The good thing is, today, it's not a problem or a concern.

 

[PhillyRam]

There were some who thought that this might be a year in which the Rams would consider drafting Matthew Stafford’s successor at QB. They, of course, did not… though six teams did select QBs in the first half of the first round.

What about next year?

I think that 2025 could be a great year for the Rams to acquire their heir apparent.

The reason: lack of competition for the top QBs.

Looking around the league, I see 19 teams that almost certainly won’t be looking to draft a QB in the first round of the 2025 draft because they have a young starter with a mega-contract, drafted a QB in the first round of the last two drafts or, in the 49ers’ case, have a starter playing on a bargain rookie contract. They are: Buffalo, New England, Baltimore, Cleveland, Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, L.A. Chargers, Arizona, New Orleans, San Francisco, Washington, Chicago, Atlanta, Carolina, Minnesota, Philadelphia, Cincinnati

There are also 8 teams that are very unlikely to be looking to draft a QB because they either have a starter who will likely be extended before next year’s draft or they have a starter who, though not on a mega-deal, has a lot of dead cap money in 2025. They are: Miami, Tennessee, Detroit, Dallas, Green Bay, NY Giants, New Orleans, Tampa, Jacksonville

That leaves a market of only five teams, including the Rams. They are:

New York Jets, who could conceivably look for a successor to Aaron Rodgers.
Pittsburgh, who have Russell Wilson and Justin Fields playing on expiring contracts.
Las Vegas, who could be the most QB needy team.
Seattle, who have Geno Smith and Sam Howell.

It remains to be seen how deep next year’s QB class will be, but this bodes well for the Rams, as they could very well fill their need to find Stafford’s successor without having to move up to the top 5-10 picks in the draft.

If the Rams really like a QB, you know they will likley make it happen as they have shown that they will overpay to get their guy.

That's why it's important that they killed last yrs draft and hopefully this draft. So they can give up draft picks since they have such a good young roster.

Now, if they are picking 28 or later and their competition is picking 5th,then yeah they will not get their guy, but in general they have shown that they will overpay to get a player that they really want.

 

[den-the-coach]

There were some who thought that this might be a year in which the Rams would consider drafting Matthew Stafford’s successor at QB. They, of course, did not… though six teams did select QBs in the first half of the first round.

What about next year?

I think that 2025 could be a great year for the Rams to acquire their heir apparent.

The reason: lack of competition for the top QBs.

Looking around the league, I see 19 teams that almost certainly won’t be looking to draft a QB in the first round of the

It remains to be seen how deep next year’s QB class will be, but this bodes well for the Rams, as they could very well fill their need to find Stafford’s successor without having to move up to the top 5-10 picks in the draft.

CARSON BECK, GEORGIA​

Beck isn’t the kind of slam-dunk prospect Caleb Williams was last summer, but he should still be seen as the early QB1 favorite ahead of 2025. He’s a signal-caller with precise accuracy and timing, placing in the top five of the FBS in both adjusted completion rate and average time to throw. His 91.5 overall grade ranked fourth among all quarterbacks in the country last season.

SHEDEUER SANDERS, COLORADO​

Sanders is an advanced processor who earned the country's third-best clean pocket passing grade (92.9) this past season. The only two who posted better marks were the first two picks in 2024: Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels.

Sanders kept the ball out of harm’s way, too, as his 1.6% turnover-worthy play rate ranked fourth among all FBS signal-callers.

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QUINN EWERS, TEXAS​

Ewers still has a ways to go, but he improved dramatically in 2023. He cut his turnover-worthy play rate by more than half (1.7% in 2023 compared to 3.6% in 2022) and upgraded his passing grade to 85.6 after earning just a 70.9 passing grade as a redshirt freshman.

The Texas quarterback has a live arm but will need to carry more of the offense next season, as the Longhorns lost Xavier Worthy, Adonai Mitchell, Jonathon Brooks, Ja’Tavion Sanders and Jordan Whittington to the NFL ranks.

JALEN MILROE, ALABAMA​

The redshirt sophomore recorded a 9.2% big-time throw rate in 2023, the second-best mark in the nation, while his 35 runs of 10-plus yards were fourth among FBS quarterbacks. Milroe’s 96.9 passing grade on deep throws trailed only Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels among the country’s signal-callers, as well.

He needs to speed up his internal clock and be more consistent in the intermediate range, but the arrival of head coach Kalen DeBoer could do wonders for his development.

DREW ALLAR, PENN STATE​

Many were disappointed by Allar’s box-score stats this past season, but those numbers won’t tell you how hamstrung he was by his receivers and playcalling. Despite so much working against him, Allar’s 86.3 grade was still a top-20 mark among all quarterbacks in the nation. He took care of the football at an elite rate, as his 1.1% turnover-worthy play rate trailed only Bo Nix among FBS signal-callers.

The surrounding talent is still a concern, but the arrival of new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki should allow Allar to utilize his outstanding arm talent even more as a junior.

CONNER WEIGMAN, TEXAS A&M​

Weigman got off to a rapid start to his sophomore season, earning a 91.9 grade through the first four games. Unfortunately, that’s all we saw from the former five-star recruit, as he suffered a season-ending foot injury in Week 4.

The Aggies passer has a good arm but an inconsistent follow-through right now. If he can build off the few games we saw in 2023, he can be a dark-horse QB1 candidate next April.

DILLON GABRIEL, OREGON​

Gabriel’s 91.9 PFF grade trailed only Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix among FBS quarterbacks last season. The former Oklahoma quarterback is an experienced signal-caller with the wisdom to keep the ball out of harm’s way, as his 2.0% turnover-worthy play rate during his two seasons with the Sooners stands third among returning FBS quarterbacks in that span.

A lot like Jordan Travis in this past draft, Gabriel is an excellent collegiate quarterback whose below-average traits will likely make him a backup in the NFL.

JAXSON DART, OLE MISS​

Dart took a major leap from his sophomore to junior year, improving his passing grade by more than 13 points (75.2 in 2022 to 88.7 in 2023). A major reason for that jump was the significant stride he made when forced outside of the pocket. In 2022, he posted just a 42.8 passing grade outside the pocket, 111th among FBS quarterbacks. Dart improved that mark to 74.6 this past season, 15th in the nation.

Overall, his 91.2 grade was tied for sixth among all signal-callers in the country. The question will be how much he was elevated in Lane Kiffin’s RPO/play-action-heavy offense. On plays without an RPO or play-action, Dart recorded as many turnover-worthy plays (six) as big-time throws. Still, he should be one of the top Heisman contenders next year and could launch up draft boards.

RILEY LEONARD, NOTRE DAME​

The former Duke signal-caller will replace Sam Hartman at Notre Dame this upcoming season. He can create big plays with his arm by pushing the ball vertically and with his legs. Since 2022, Leonard’s 1,164 rushing yards are eighth among Power Five quarterbacks. He still has work to do in terms of accuracy, though, and he has earned sub-70.0 passing grades in each of the past two seasons.

CAMERON WARD, MIAMI (FL)​

Ward’s tape is truly a roller coaster. The former Washington State quarterback has ridiculous arm talent that allows him to make throws that very few in college football are capable of making. Ward’s 24 big-time throws were tied for eighth in the Power Five. However, he’s far too careless with the football. Since 2022, his 42 turnover-worthy plays are the most among Power Five quarterbacks. He has the talent to go in the first round but will need to rein it in to get there.

10 quarterbacks to know ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft | NFL Draft | PFF

The early indications are that the 2025 class is not nearly as strong, but there are still plenty of intriguing options. Here are the 10 quarterback prospects to know as we head into summer scouting for the 2025 NFL Draft.

www.pff.com

 

[dieterbrock]

Teams I could see drafting a 1st round qb in ‘25 (not predicting they will just that they could logically be in the market)
Miami- may not extend Tua
NY Jets- probably looking for new HC & GM
Raiders - wanted one this year and missed out
Steelers - 2 cheap QB, neither may be future
Titans- make or break for Levis
Colts- could see team implode and Richardson has question marks
Giants- see NY jets
Seahawks- Howell might be it
49ers- Purdy proves again he isn’t it
Cardinals- Murray could be moved
Carolina- Bryce Young needs a year 2 like Goff had or else
Saints- Carr ain’t it and will be easy to unload after ‘25

 

[DzRams]

There were some who thought that this might be a year in which the Rams would consider drafting Matthew Stafford’s successor at QB. They, of course, did not… though six teams did select QBs in the first half of the first round.

What about next year?

I think that 2025 could be a great year for the Rams to acquire their heir apparent.

The reason: lack of competition for the top QBs.

Looking around the league, I see 19 teams that almost certainly won’t be looking to draft a QB in the first round of the 2025 draft because they have a young starter with a mega-contract, drafted a QB in the first round of the last two drafts or, in the 49ers’ case, have a starter playing on a bargain rookie contract. They are: Buffalo, New England, Baltimore, Cleveland, Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, L.A. Chargers, Arizona, New Orleans, San Francisco, Washington, Chicago, Atlanta, Carolina, Minnesota, Philadelphia, Cincinnati

There are also 8 teams that are very unlikely to be looking to draft a QB because they either have a starter who will likely be extended before next year’s draft or they have a starter who, though not on a mega-deal, has a lot of dead cap money in 2025. They are: Miami, Tennessee, Detroit, Dallas, Green Bay, NY Giants, New Orleans, Tampa, Jacksonville

That leaves a market of only five teams, including the Rams. They are:

New York Jets, who could conceivably look for a successor to Aaron Rodgers.
Pittsburgh, who have Russell Wilson and Justin Fields playing on expiring contracts.
Las Vegas, who could be the most QB needy team.
Seattle, who have Geno Smith and Sam Howell.

It remains to be seen how deep next year’s QB class will be, but this bodes well for the Rams, as they could very well fill their need to find Stafford’s successor without having to move up to the top 5-10 picks in the draft.

I see a few other teams that could conceivably be in the QB hunt. I wouldn't automatically eliminate teams that drafted a QB in 2023.

Carolina - If Carolina bombs again this year and Young doesn't do well, they could be in the market for a QB again.
NY Giants- Reported to have buyer's remorse for Jones' big contract this year. They could pull the trigger on someone new next year.
Tennessee - It wouldn't be that hard to move on from Levis if they don't do well this year.
Tampa - They could get out from under his contract via trade fairly easily.
Arizona - If they have a really bad year, I can see them looking to move past Murray. He likely gets through 2025 though.

 

[Mackeyser]

I guess it depends on what’s happening with Dallas and Dak.

Jerry doesn’t want to pay Dak $50M, but he’ll get close to that on the open market if they let it get to that.

 

[Merlin]

The problem with this thinking is that the need for QBs grows as the season goes on and many of them are defined as not good enough. This is the rub with these guys. It is why the draft pick is more valuable than the guy who went 1 overall a couple years ago. The draft pick is unknown, thus he may be good enough. Whereas the guy who was drafted prior still has the stink of failure on him with well defined areas in which he came up short.

I agree they are going to prioritize finding a QB2 with QB1 upside next offseason. But as to how they go about it, there are probably two different routes they will exhaust:

First off you have the late first round draft pick. Rams won't be picking before let's say 25ish. So if they do take a QB it's going to be a guy who is viewed as a project. Now the problem with this is that you don't get a strong project type every year. In 2023's draft the Titans got very lucky that Mayo boy slid to them in round 2. This year the equivalent type (Nix) was never going to make it that far. Some years that quality QB will get to round 2 but it's not something you can count on. Will it happen due to all these QBs coming in with high picks? Possibly and idk for sure of course. Certainly there are probably stats that relate to years where a class like this one comes out, though classes with this much depth of options seems rare to me.

Working against this option is the fact the Rams will probably need to draft a LT. It is possible they ink Jackson. But I still feel like the way this OL is structured we are planning to draft a LT and doing that will be mutually exclusive with drafting a QB. Now they can still take a shot on a guy mid to late, but those generally are for QB2 role not really that QB2-->QB1 role which is what we are really seeking.

Second option is the castoff market. I was very interested as the Zach Wilson substory of the offseason ran its course, wondering whether the Rams would show interest. He was not expensive after all. The Rams have a very good inside line on him via their staff. Stars were aligned if their opinion on him was good enough, and that is why media types were all over that connection. But clearly the Rams know what many already thought, which is that he's an asswipe.

A quick look at the 2025 FA QBs is rather hideous. And I don't think we'd be looking at the guys on the top of the list either. Rather we'd be interested in the guys who maybe got overlooked and bring one or two in and see if either can vibe with McVay. That group is guys like Zappe, Mills, Ehlinger, Mond, etc. I think Mond is the best option of the unproven types, though none are likely to do a damn thing for us.

Also potentially in play would be the 2026 FA QB group. Just like Wilson was put on the market a year ahead of his FA window, the same might happen for Howell. He would probably be the best target for now, if and when he is made available.

And no discussion of castoffs for myself would be complete without mentioning Coral. He came from that Ole Miss offense that required quick decisions but which didn't exactly prep him for the NFL. His time with the Panthers was a clusterfuck to include the lisfranc injury but he looks fully healed. Right now he's part of that two headed QB attack in the USFL, and that scrap I love in his game is still there. He has exposure to WCO gobbledeegook via his Panthers time. So once again I would bring him in for camp and see if McVay can do something with him. If not, no worries, but again you can't teach balls and Corral's a strong minded MFer who should fit this system.

 

[younghutch]

I think they're more likely to sign/trade for the current "good-to-great vet who's on a lousy team" before drafting & developing a rookie...unless the rookie is truly special.

Maybe someone like Burrow (if Cincy goes south in a few years), Trevor Lawrence or any of the current rookie qb class who don't work out. Hell, let Caleb get the kinks worked out in CHI and then trade for him.