To me that is getting cute or at least being too narrow minded or blinded a bit by being too focused on just finding a back up without realizing there is a potential to get something more than that.
They seem laser focused upon sticking to their plan to remodel this team. All they needed was a backup to Stafford for two more years. If they are going to take the next QB1 in the draft it will be next year to give him a full year to acclimate and learn the offense, and develop the timing this offense requires between the QB and WRs. Also without a first round pick this year their options were limited.
The Rams look to be committed to Stafford barring injury for two more years. I think that was the plan when they originally extended him. If he can avoid a catastrophic injury he will have 2 more years to get that second ring and cement his HOF credentials. Getting a QB in the first round gives them control of his contract for 5 years so they can afford a redshirt rookie year. Under that scenario they would have a QB1 for at least 8-10 years of active years. That in turn allows them to continually build the team around him plugging in new assets as needed.
This draft was all about creating a foundational team to build around for the next 8-10 years. This is the team that will allow them to not miss a step when Stafford, AD and Kupp retire as Rams to await their gold jackets. This is a sustainable formula. The next step will be to pick the right QB in next year's draft.
You saw it on the field in preseason and because of that they will go into protect mode this last preseason game. Puka is the next Kupp, and Jefferson is already the new Woods. Higbee's replacement is on the team with Hopkins looking like he's finally ready to emerge and Allen and long not far behind.
The jury is still out on Akers, because it's a matter of his accepting the Rams offer. I think they will extend him but Evans and Williams are their insurance policy if he decides to move on. Jackson and Avila need to build that communication to transform them into the nest Whitworth and Saffold. Allen is the better technician between himself and Shelton. But he may lack durability. The one thing in his favor is how well McAllister has played. They could roll the dice on Allen, allowing Shelton to walk next year simply because they have a solid backup in McAllister. That said IMO Shelton gives them better long term security at the position, again with McAllister as a good backup. But this year I think the Rams keep both Shelton and Allen with Coleman starting at RG if Noteboom can't play.
I think we all agree the key to this offense's success lies with the OL and all of their OL options this year look pretty good. With an OL of Jackson, Avila, Allen, Shelton and Havenstein this will be a left running offense primarily left B gap and left perimeter, just like in 2018. With Puka in the slot it will give them that extra blocker they need which is why I think Nacua will start at Y over Atwell.
On defense it will be Young and Hoecht on the edges with Van Valkenburg in rotation. Edges may not dominate this year but I think they will next year. This will be a learning experience for this defensive front. One change I noted is that they were only playing the mixed two/one gap front on 1st downs. This means they will play Turner and Murchison as their 1T on second and third downs. If they drop the read react BS up front the DL can be good. They also changed it up on passing downs a couple of times playing what looked like double 2T which would put Turner and Murchison inside, move Donald to 5T (DE) opposite Young. That would allow them to play Hoecht at WIL, Valkenburg at SAM with Jones in the middle at MIKE. I would love to see them get creative upfront as they do have the players to do it. Playing that leaves Donald one on one with the LT which he loves, and Young one on one with the RT which he should beat.
This defense can be played in a lot of ways if Morris simply chooses to do so.
