Arch Manning and Matt Stafford: Rams succession plan

[Pupped]

I'm sure the Manning family would love that. Big market city. Great organization. Great head coach. And ability to draft enough talent to compete year after year. But whoever has that top pick is gonna want a king's ransom for it. The two firsts won't be near enough. It probably take the 2027 first and maybe a 2nd along with it.

If Stafford can stick around for the 2026 season maybe they can use their first pick on one of the other talented QB's to sit a year and learn. And use their day one and two picks to build more talent in 2026 and 2027. A guy like Sellers is compared to Big Ben and Josh Allen. Big and fast with a strong arm. Just needs some polishing.

Can't argue with any of that.

The question will be what they think of Manning and his value. If they think he's worth the extra capital, they'll move up and pay the price.

 

[Pupped]

So many variables.

What if Stafford recovers just fine and has an excellent year and wants to run it back?

What if Manning isn't all that and waits a year?

What if there are more than one QB the Rams think could work for them?

The dream scenario, to me.. would be Atlanta having a bad year and the Rams being in a position to draft a QB without trading any more assets. Use that second first rounder on an OT or CB.

 

[PhillyRam]

So many variables.

What if Stafford recovers just fine and has an excellent year and wants to run it back?

What if Manning isn't all that and waits a year?

What if there are more than one QB the Rams think could work for them?

The dream scenario, to me.. would be Atlanta having a bad year and the Rams being in a position to draft a QB without trading any more assets. Use that second first rounder on an OT or CB.

Agree, in a perfect world there are 4 or 5 guys who they like and they can wait and just take that player later in the first or even 2nd. Athough an offensive coach like McVay will want to have his pick instead of settling for a raw, but high upside guy in rd 2.

 

[Pupped]

Agree, in a perfect world there are 4 or 5 guys who they like and they can wait and just take that player later in the first or even 2nd. Athough an offensive coach like McVay will want to have his pick instead of settling for a raw, but high upside guy in rd 2.

In the position they're in, with the draft capital they have, I don't think there's any way they go for a "raw" guy and I think that would be silly.
I'm more talking about a scenario where there are multiple guys like in '24 and maybe you land on a McCarthy or Penix. If there was no one worth it? I'd look for a one year bridge.. and try to trade down one of the first. rounders to get another first and a little more in the 27 draft.

 

[WestCoastRam]

If Manning is as good as he should be AND he were to come out. There is no shot the Rams get him unless ATL or us suck so bad we get the 1st pick.

With the way the league is configured right now, I don't see a team at 1 who we can trade with who won't need a QB in this draft and won't just take the best one available regardless of trade compensation (I mean, you could offer 10 1st for the next decade but come'on)

 

[Spider2YB]

The wheels are going to totally fall off in Cincinnati. I still think we should try for Burrow even if it’s just a 1% chance.

 

[dang]

Supposed to be 5+ quality QBs available in next years draft. My guess any of them would give their left nut to play for McVay especially if they get a year as understudy to Stafford. Full disclosure, I don’t want Rams to spend 2 1st rd picks+ for any one player next year. Need a quality LOT, CB or maybe WR (Ohio State kid) next year.

 

[WestCoastRam]

Supposed to be 5+ quality QBs available in next years draft. My guess any of them would give their left nut to play for McVay especially if they get a year as understudy to Stafford. Full disclosure, I don’t want Rams to spend 2 1st rd picks+ for any one player next year. Need a quality LOT, CB or maybe WR (Ohio State kid) next year.

No one says we gotta spend both 1sts on a QB next year, might be a 1st and a 2027 1st, etc... We might be able to keep a 1st.

 

[PhillyRam]

No one says we gotta spend both 1sts on a QB next year, might be a 1st and a 2027 1st, etc... We might be able to keep a 1st.

Yeah, that's my thought....If they wanted to target one guy and needed to move up to get him, they still could keep a first and spend a future first. In fact a team may find that more attractive if they think the Rams could be worse in 26' if Stafford retirees. Still would likley have to cough up our 2nd though along with one of the firsts. Maybe get a mid round pick back depending on how big of a move up.

 

[DzRams]

...But whoever has that top pick is gonna want a king's ransom for it. The two firsts won't be near enough. It probably take the 2027 first and maybe a 2nd along with it.

The pertinent question is, is the #1 pick for sale or not? It's very unlikely to be for sale.

But if it is, I have no doubt that the Rams would be willing to pay a king's ransom if a generational QB were available. That would fit the McSnead MO of being super aggressive for critical positions.

 

[DzRams]

Yeah, that's my thought....If they wanted to target one guy and needed to move up to get him, they still could keep a first and spend a future first. In fact a team may find that more attractive if they think the Rams could be worse in 26' if Stafford retirees. Still would likley have to cough up our 2nd though along with one of the firsts. Maybe get a mid round pick back depending on how big of a move up.

This could happen for sure.

Keep in mind though that when trading future picks, they are generally discounted one round. A 2027 1st will have equivalent trade value of a 2026 2nd.

So if they want to retain one of their 2026 1sts and go the future 1st route, the overall price is gonna be higher. There's no way around it being painful.