Recent mock draft has the Rams making a massive mistake in the first round
The rest of the world thinks it is time for the Los Angeles Rams to think of a Matthew Stafford succession plan. Can you blame them? Stafford, 35, played some of the best football of his career during the Rams' surprise appearance in the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs. However, a 35-year-old signal-caller isn't a […]
The rest of the world thinks it is time for the Los Angeles Rams to think of a Matthew Stafford succession plan.
Can you blame them?
Stafford, 35, played some of the best football of his career during the Rams' surprise appearance in the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs. However, a 35-year-old signal-caller isn't a sure thing. With Stafford returning for one more season, at least, that gives the Rams enough time to groom a young quarterback to take the reigns.
In The Athletic's recent mock draft, that young quarterback for the Rams is national champion, J.J. McCarthy – it would be a mistake.
Why J.J. McCarthy?
Though the Rams haven't done so during the Sean McVay era – at some point – the franchise has to start thinking about the future.
Defensive star Aaron Donald won't be around forever, and neither will the quarterback who delivered a Super Bowl to the franchise in Stafford.
The offense has young stars in Kyren Williams and Puka Nacua. Now, it comes down to allowing Stafford to serve as a bridge to the next generation of quarterback. So, as the Green Bay Packers did during Rodgers' age 36 season when they drafted Jordan Love, some are arguing the Rams should do the same by selecting McCarthy at pick No. 19.
"Going into Aaron Rodgers’ age-36 season, the Packers made a forward-thinking pick and drafted their quarterback of the future (Jordan Love) in the back half of Round 1," Dane Brugler of The Athletic writes.
"Going into Matthew Stafford’s age-36 season, the Rams might be in a position to follow the same approach. Who knows when Stafford will hang ’em up, but with his injury past, the Rams at least need to consider it."
Much of the scouting report on McCarthy is built on his intangibles. He isn't someone who will push the ball down the field, Michigan's system didn't ask him to do that. But all he did at the college ranks was win – that has to count for something.
Still, perching the future of the Rams' offense on the shoulders of a quarterback who is relatively unproven when it comes to winning games with his arm isn't a smart pick. The Rams got rid of Jared Goff because he couldn't do enough within McVay's system. Why would the franchise turn around and draft a quarterback who, at most, would be a game manager again? It makes no sense. As they say on the field: right idea, wrong result.
Who does A to Z Sports have the Rams selecting?
A pick that makes far more sense for the Rams is defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry out of Alabama.
"The Rams' secondary was a mess this season, and it was put on full display during their playoff loss to the Lions," Destin Adams, A to Z Sports' draft expert, writes.
"They still have a lot of talent on this roster, and they will look to make another run to the playoffs next season. Adding a CB like Kool-Aid McKinstry out of Alabama would be an immediate upgrade, with plenty of space to grow as a player."
Finding the solution at quarterback is a task for the Rams ahead of the 2024 season. However, other needs could be filled with far more talented players. Quelling the need for help in the secondary should take priority over drafting a future game manager in the first round.
