Report: Los Angeles Rams 'Sniffing Around' On QB Prospects

[Corbin]

The Los Angeles Rams may be looking to draft Matthew Stafford's successor later this month.

• JONATHAN ALFANO
• APR 14, 2024

In this story:​

LOS ANGELES RAMS

MATTHEW STAFFORD

Matthew Stafford still has some gas left in the tank, but with him being 36 and dealing with multiple injuries over the past few years, the Los Angeles Rams may look to find a successor sooner rather than later.
The NFL Draft, which is now less than two weeks away, may be the perrfect time to find such a successor. This class is loaded with quarterback talent, and the Rams have clearly taken note

Nov 26, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay talks with quarterback
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
According to Mike Giardi of the Boston Sports Journal, the Rams are one of several teams looking at taking a quarterback, and Michigan's J.J. McCarthy has particularly caught their interest.
ADVERTISEMENT

"As for McCarthy, he helped himself more by not being here than he probably would have had he shown up. The Michigan National Championship-winning quarterback passed on the chance to show out in Mobile and, with the other two big names scuffling, may have solidified a spot at the top of tier 2, QB-wise," Giardi writes. "Where will that land him? Atlanta (8), Minnesota (11), Las Vegas (13), Seattle (16), LA Rams (19), Pittsburgh (20), and Tampa Bay (26) have all been sniffing around signal callers in this draft, in addition to the top 3 teams."

This isn't the first time the Rams have reportedly had interest in quarterbacks this offseason. In addition to the draft buzz, they were also linked to several other backup quarterbacks before ultimately landing on Jimmy Garoppolo. The most prevalent rumor linked them to Sam Howell, but the Seattle Seahawks reportedly outbid them.

L.A. definitely has more pressing needs to address, but drafting a potential successor to Stafford is not out of the realm of possibility,

 

[Londoner]

It would be remiss of the Rams not to undertake due diligence of all prospects.

 

[PhillyRam]

Now a prediction from someone who actually has a clue about the Rams...

NFL Insider guarantees McVay will draft offense if Rams don’t trade back

NFL Network’s Peter Schrager guarantees Rams will go offense with Sean McVay’s first-ever first-round pick

www.turfshowtimes.com

 

[gogoat1]

No PROJECTS please !
Either he can play now or find one that can.

 

[ScotsRam]

You can't believe anything this time of year, regardless of how connected the reporter is. He could just as easily be doing McVay a solid by blowing smoke.

 

[dieterbrock]

No PROJECTS please !
Either he can play now or find one that can.

at QB?
I think the guy wearing #9 can certainly play
Any other QB on the roster will be a "project" because Staff aint going anywhere

 

[gogoat1]

at QB?
I think the guy wearing #9 can certainly play
Any other QB on the roster will be a "project" because Staff aint going anywhere

Bad memories of 2 tackles that were projects. Any QB sits and would not be happy if we took one high.
Certainly no running QBs at all.

 

[12intheBox]

On this topic ....

Charles Davis would bang the table for ....

Spencer Rattler
South Carolina · QB · Senior
I’ve seen progress from Rattler on and off the field over the past two seasons. He’ll probably go late on Day 2 or early on Day 3 of the draft, but there’s a reason he was once a highly touted prospect. Remember, this was a five-star recruit widely considered the best quarterback in his class. He eventually lost his starting job to Caleb Williams at Oklahoma in 2021 and then transferred to South Carolina after the season. His setback has become a comeback, though. Rattler was the Gamecocks' co-MVP in 2022 and then set school records for completions (275) and completion percentage (68.9) in 2023. He’s shown he has the tools and toughness to succeed. I feel good about this young man -- who has some Teddy Bridgewater in his game -- and his chances of making it in the NFL.

2024 NFL Draft: Prospects Charles Davis would pound the table for

With the 2024 NFL Draft just around the corner, Charles Davis provides his annual rundown of prospects he'd pound the table for. This 16-player list highlights potential mid- and late-round diamonds in the rough.

www.nfl.com

 

[12intheBox]

Now a prediction from someone who actually has a clue about the Rams...

NFL Insider guarantees McVay will draft offense if Rams don’t trade back

NFL Network’s Peter Schrager guarantees Rams will go offense with Sean McVay’s first-ever first-round pick

www.turfshowtimes.com

Saw this as well - and certainly trust the source - but I do think he is reporting this more as a - McVay is finally getting a 1st round pick so I'll bet its offense as opposed to an inside scoop.

Still, I will say this - I'm pretty sure it is going to either be an offensive or a defensive player in round 1.

 

[Londoner]

I'm pretty sure it is going to either be an offensive or a defensive player in round 1.

I can’t wait to see your face when we draft Joshua Karty at 19.

 

[PhillyRam]

Saw this as well - and certainly trust the source - but I do think he is reporting this more as a - McVay is finally getting a 1st round pick so I'll bet its offense as opposed to an inside scoop.

Still, I will say this - I'm pretty sure it is going to either be an offensive or a defensive player in round 1.

Or its about his realization that he can win another title with Stafford a lot easier than finding & then developing another great QB to win with. So he is building a fortress around Stafford so he can play and play well for 3 more yrs.

 

[Psycho_X]

Stetson is back at least via the video Rams posted yesterday. Not that effects them sniffing around on QBs but just info injecting into here.

View: https://x.com/RamsNFL/status/1780005620835668076

 

[Merlin]

Of course they are. They have an old QB who is a stud but has hard miles on that body. Their backup is a one year vet rental. Their QB3 is a backup level talent at best, and that's assuming whatever kept him off the team his rookie season is handled. And QB is the most important position on the field. So yeah. Of course the Rams are looking at the QBs.

 

[Merlin]

Now a prediction from someone who actually has a clue about the Rams...

NFL Insider guarantees McVay will draft offense if Rams don’t trade back

NFL Network’s Peter Schrager guarantees Rams will go offense with Sean McVay’s first-ever first-round pick

www.turfshowtimes.com

If they can fill that LT role the Rams offense would be in business for the long term. They have Jackson for this season to let that LT get a redshirt and learn the offense. If Stafford can stay healthy he will be comfortable and dealing back there. If Stafford retires early or is phased out the OL will be in place to let the new rook or QB settle in nicely.

No matter how you slice it the OL investment isn't sexy but it sure does lead to sustained success and wins.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Now a prediction from someone who actually has a clue about the Rams...

NFL Insider guarantees McVay will draft offense if Rams don’t trade back

NFL Network’s Peter Schrager guarantees Rams will go offense with Sean McVay’s first-ever first-round pick

www.turfshowtimes.com

A schrager is a clown.

If he actually did give some real inside info, the Rams should cut him off for the rest of his career.

If they gave him some fake info and he’s passing it along by, they still should cut him off for the rest of his career.

 

[dieterbrock]

On ESPN+ Kiper and Yates do a 3 round mock together where they alternate picks.

19. Los Angeles Rams​

Kiper's pick: Laiatu Latu, OLB, UCLA

Good pick, Field: Fuaga is my guy. For the Rams, especially with Murphy off the board, edge rusher is the way to go, and Latu is the most complete one in this class. L.A. hasn't had a first-round pick since 2016, so it wouldn't be surprising if Les Snead & Co. traded down here.

ROUND 2​

Projected trade: Rams kick off Round 2 with a move​

Kiper: I think we should engineer a trade here, Field, because it's about time the fifth quarterback gets picked. What do you think of this?

• Rams get: No. 33
• Panthers get: Nos. 52 and 83 plus a third-round pick in 2025

Yates: That aligns with the trade value charts, Mel, and Carolina would now have four picks on Day 2 to improve its roster. Let's do it.

---

33. Los Angeles Rams (via mock trade with CAR)​

Kiper's pick: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington

Matthew Stafford turned 36 earlier this year, and he has dealt with injuries the past two seasons. The Rams could target a passer to start in 2025.

Three-round NFL mock draft: Kiper and Yates pick landing spots for top 100 prospects, seven QBs

Mel and Field trade pick projections across Days 1 and 2 of the draft, finding perfect fits for 100 of the best prospects in the class.

www.espn.com

 

[kurtfaulk]

.

Mcvay already had a 1st round pick. In 2019. They kept trading back until all the way to the bottom of the 2nd round and picked rapp.

.

 

[Merlin]

Yeah that 2019 Rams draft was a steaming pile of shit.

I'm all for trading down of course. But if you can get a top player where you're sitting just take him. We need an impact player or two at the top of this class. At least one player who is a top talent and will live up to it.

 

[PhillyRam]

A schrager is a clown.

If he actually did give some real inside info, the Rams should cut him off for the rest of his career.

If they gave him some fake info and he’s passing it along by, they still should cut him off for the rest of his career.

I am guessing that he is basing this off of what he knows about how McVay feels about Stafford. Then seeing the emphasis made to bolster the interior OL in FA. And then some common sense about the need to keep Stafford healthy & happy so he may plan on playing 2-3 or more years.

So maybe not "inside info", but certainly an inside feel of how McVay thinks and how the Rams have been operating since Staffords tough 22' season.

Since then they used the highest pick that the Rams have had in years, pick 36, and spent it on a OG, then added a 5th rd OT, then trading for & re-signing another OG. Then they brought in another OG this yr in FA.

Now consider that they have a 4th yr decent LT, who will be a FA next yr, and a 33 yr old RT who is only above avg at this point.

When you step back and look at it, if a high ceiling LT prospect is there, it is not a reach to think that they might grab him. Obviously this time they would know to look at character just like they have in recent drafts with their picks, if they go that route.

I will add that the fact that they would still have 3 top 100 picks remaining, that can be spent on defense and or a WR, it makes it even more possible.

 

[Ramstien]

I believe LT will be addressed next year and they will roll with Jackson this season. The defense needs to be addressed early in this draft, however, if Bowers falls to 19 as I have said before, he could very well be the pick.