Which QB should the Rams draft in the 1st Round next year?

[Ground Chuck]

My brother played at UNR, inside linebacker, back in the day. I also went to a bunch of UNR games around 1992-93. Fun times!

Cool! My nephew was an ILB too. He was on the same team with Austin Corbett. 2017

 

[RamBall]

Everyone of course knows that the rams traded #26 in this year's draft to ATL and as part of that trade the Rams were given ATL's 1st rd pick in next years draft. The Rams may or may not package those 2 first rd picks with perhaps even more picks to move up & take one of the top QBs in next year's draft. Next year's class of QBs is projected to be deep & talented. There is a group of 6 QBs currently rated high in the draft next year. The purpose of this discussion/thread is to discuss who each of thinks is the best option as a future franchise QB for the Rams should they chose to draft one next year in the 1st round. Here are the 6 QBs with links for You Tube video highlights of each QB.
Manning
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMxDPBsVouA

Nussmeier
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tebj5HU_bw

Allar
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QazqInDAUdo

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tebj5HU_bw

Sellers
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5_6j3hgAUI

Iamaleava
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiE1Pw0Nmy8

Klubnik
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aC8Rvz4sgY8

They may not need to draft a QB next year, it depends on how long Stafford wants to play. They can always flip one of those 1st rounders for a 1st rounder in the following draft. This would be my preferred way to go, keep flipping a 1st until the QB of the future is sitting there to be drafted. As long as the Rams have 2 1st round picks they should be able to move up to get their guy, whenever that may be. If there is a QB they really like next year then grab him, but they dont have to get a QB next draft if they think a better QB will be available the following year.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

My worry about Arch is I'm afraid he will be like Archie and the Manning legacy will come full circle. Archie, good but on a bad team. Peyton and Eli 4 Superbowl Championships, Arch nothing.

I'm a Penn St. fan and I think Allar can be real good. The one problem....and it's a big one.....is he looks overmatched and hasn't shown up in the Big Games. I like his arm, his size but there's more than a hint of panic vs Ohio St, Michigan, Oregon, etc.. Like Kyren and correcting his ball security issues, if Allar can show up in the big games this year, his stock rises significantly. One thing in his favor there, is Penn St. is predicted to be playing for the National Title by many 'experts' so he could get that shot. Show up and move up.

Last year Allar did not seem to see the whole field. Any team that could pressure, whether they did or not on any given play, seemed to speed up the clock for him. He looked scared and rushed. I also think his mechanics go south in those situations.

I listened to Landon Tengwall today and he’s hopeful that Allar can develop more trust in his receivers and pointed out that last season was his first in a new offense, but I’m skeptical.

Allar wouldnt even look at a WR against ND in the Orange Bowl, only checked down and threw to TE's
I know you cant take too much out of one game but that game was there for the taking and Allar flat out lost it
I cant see why folks are so high on him

Yes. That should have been a win for PSU. Allar looked lost.

 

[Flatlyner]

I tell you what, Allar has improved every season. He looked awful in his first year. If he makes another leap, he's going to be good. He has a hell of an arm.

 

[WestCoastRam]

I tell you what, Allar has improved every season. He looked awful in his first year. If he makes another leap, he's going to be good. He has a hell of an arm.

I forget where the stats were gathered but someone had put a chart together that year over year progress was the best indicator of eventual success in the NFL over many other metrics.

 

[WestCoastRam]

They can always flip one of those 1st rounders for a 1st rounder in the following draft.

Gotta have a dance partner for that to happen

 

[dieterbrock]

I tell you what, Allar has improved every season. He looked awful in his first year. If he makes another leap, he's going to be good. He has a hell of an arm.

Was last year an improvement though? I seem to think it in some ways he regressed. In 24 he lead the conference in TD passes, in '25 he came up small in the team's biggest games, and was lucky to make the playoff.
I think had he taken a step forward in '25, he would have went in to the draft since the class was determined a weak class

 

[PARAM]

Was last year an improvement though? I seem to think it in some ways he regressed. In 24 he lead the conference in TD passes, in '25 he came up small in the team's biggest games, and was lucky to make the playoff.
I think had he taken a step forward in '25, he would have went in to the draft since the class was determined a weak class

I don't think he regressed. (JMHO) I think he stayed the same.......vs good teams, important games. Bad. Statistically in all games he improved. Raised his completion percentage considerably (up from 59.9 to 66.5). And it's not like he was just throwing short. His average yards per attempt went up from 6.8 to 8.4. I think he stayed another year because HE knew he needed to improve. And the one area he needs to improve is the big games. They are one of the favorites this year, so he'll have the opportunity to show up in the big games. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) he doesn't have but one or two big games until the postseason. Oregon in Happy Valley on September 27th and November 1st at the horseshoe. @Iowa (10/18) and vs Indiana (11/15) could be tight games too. We'll see. I'm rooting for the kid to turn it around and make himself some money.

 

[Flatlyner]

Arch Manning

Take it for what its worth, which might be nothing. But saw this on various social medias today. Not quite sure why any higher up Ram official would announce this or even think this before Arch has played a full season yet, but... who knows.

 

[dieterbrock]

I don't think he regressed. (JMHO) I think he stayed the same.......vs good teams, important games. Bad. Statistically in all games he improved. Raised his completion percentage considerably (up from 59.9 to 66.5). And it's not like he was just throwing short. His average yards per attempt went up from 6.8 to 8.4. I think he stayed another year because HE knew he needed to improve. And the one area he needs to improve is the big games. They are one of the favorites this year, so he'll have the opportunity to show up in the big games. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) he doesn't have but one or two big games until the postseason. Oregon in Happy Valley on September 27th and November 1st at the horseshoe. @Iowa (10/18) and vs Indiana (11/15) could be tight games too. We'll see. I'm rooting for the kid to turn it around and make himself some money.

Threw a lot more passes to TE/RB in '25. TD % down, INT % up. Not sure he was statistically better, threw more passes though.
ND's defense was good but they werent that good. Kid wouldnt even look at a WR

 

[methomas50]

View: https://x.com/HoldenCantor/status/1948548852736241809

 

[DzRams]

Gotta have a dance partner for that to happen

People often say this, but every year after the draft, we hear reports of outrageous offers the Rams turned down, as well as equally outrageous trade-up offers they made.

Also, this is the second year in a row that the Rams have participated in a trade involving a 1st/2nd being moved for a future 1st/2nd plus draft capital in that current year.

I've no doubt that they could do this every year if they wanted to.

 

[Allen2McVay]

People often say this, but every year after the draft, we hear reports of outrageous offers the Rams turned down, as well as equally outrageous trade-up offers they made.

Also, this is the second year in a row that the Rams have participated in a trade involving a 1st/2nd being moved for a future 1st/2nd plus draft capital in that current year.

I've no doubt that they could do this every year if they wanted to.

Sure but there are limitations. For example they couldn't move up high enough to get Bowers in 2024.

The Rams' first round pick next April figures to be in the 20s (hope it's #32 overall!). Atlanta's #1 pick could be no higher than the late-teens. If that's the case, it would be difficult for the Rams to move into the top-5.

By comparison, the Browns' and Jaguars' picks could easily both be top-10, giving Cleveland a much better chance at the top-QB prospect.

What is exciting, is that this may be an exciting year for college QBs, making the 2026 Draft really interesting.

 

[DzRams]

Sure but there are limitations. For example they couldn't move up high enough to get Bowers in 2024.

The Rams' first round pick next April figures to be in the 20s (hope it's #32 overall!). Atlanta's #1 pick could be no higher than the late-teens. If that's the case, it would be difficult for the Rams to move into the top-5.

By comparison, the Browns' and Jaguars' picks could easily both be top-10, giving Cleveland a much better chance at the top-QB prospect.

What is exciting, is that this may be an exciting year for college QBs, making the 2026 Draft really interesting.

To be clear, I was commenting on the theory that they could always flip a 1st-rounder for a future 1st plus something in the current draft...if they wanted to. IMO, we've seen it enough such that if a GM were committed to that, it could be done. I think Philly's done a bit of this in the last 5 years.

I do agree that there are limitations on moving up. On Bowers, though, was it that they couldn't or that they wouldn't? Maybe they're not willing to pay a steep price for a TE but would be for a franchise QB.

Getting in the top 5 could be difficult, but packaging picks should get them pretty high. Let's assume the Rams have #32 and Atlanta has #17, packaging those two together equals #6 - #7 on the traditional trade chart.

If they wanted to be super aggressive they could put a 2027 1st with those two hypothetical picks and get into the top-5. Historically, there have been very few, if any, trades involving three 1st round picks.

One thing is for sure, you're right that this could be a very exciting 2026 draft for Ram's fans.

 

[PARAM]

The Rams' first round pick next April figures to be in the 20s (hope it's #32 overall!).

Upper 20's to #32. As far as WE figure.

Atlanta's #1 pick could be no higher than the late-teens. If that's the case, it would be difficult for the Rams to move into the top-5.

Based off of what? They could end up anywhere from #1 to #32. What's likely? Anything. I look at their schedule and see anywhere from 8 losses to 12.

With Tampa, Morris went from 3-13 to 10-6 to 4-12. Atlanta was 8-9 last year. Does that mean they go 11-6 or 5-12?

IF....I said IF.....Atlanta's pick ends up in the top 10, the Rams could move as high as any partner would allow.

 

[Allen2McVay]

Upper 20's to #32. As far as WE figure.

Hope so ... 2025 Rams look good ... lot of good teams teams in the NFC and it's a long season.

Been a die-hard Rams' fan for 55 years; and they have had a lot of good teams.
11 NFC Championship Games in 55 years. That's a lot. Still ... on average ... that's only one every five years.

It's tough to get that far. I don't take it for granted. Value and enjoy every win and success. It's the Journey.

Based off of what? They could end up anywhere from #1 to #32.

Sure. Anything is possible. Kind of my point above.

Personally, I think the Falcons are between a 7-10 win-team. Middle-of-the-pack ... may compete for a playoff spot in a division with two weak teams (Carolina and New Orleans).

Also think the Falcons have talent on offense, with 7 former first rounders starting. 6 more than the Rams.
On defense, their Pass Rush was a 2024 weakness (31st in sacks) but they added four pass rushers, including two well-regarded first rounders.

Not a fan of schedule review to evaluate how a team will do. As much depends upon WHEN you a play an opponent, as WHO are those opponents.

In summary, the Rams SHOULD be in position to draft a quarterback in Round One in 2026 if they want to; and they SHOULD be able to trade-up if that's their desire. However, top-3 or even top-5 will be difficult.

Should there be a consensus on the elite QBs (like 2024), AND the teams selecting highest WANT to deal (often NOT the case ... like 2024), I don't see the Rams having enough trade capital to get THAT HIGH.

 

[dieterbrock]

People often say this, but every year after the draft, we hear reports of outrageous offers the Rams turned down, as well as equally outrageous trade-up offers they made.

Also, this is the second year in a row that the Rams have participated in a trade involving a 1st/2nd being moved for a future 1st/2nd plus draft capital in that current year.

I've no doubt that they could do this every year if they wanted to.

The Rams unsuccessfully attempted to move up in the last 2 drafts (allegedly), so I think your post kind of contradicts itself
Trading up isnt such a given, especially if the player being targeted is high in demand

 

[Londoner]

if the player being targeted is high in demand

It's an easier sell if you are already close to dominating the league and you can tell the target that he is the final piece of the jigsaw.

 

[PARAM]

Sure. Anything is possible. Kind of my point above.

Personally, I think the Falcons are between a 7-10 win-team. Middle-of-the-pack ... may compete for a playoff spot in a division with two weak teams (Carolina and New Orleans).

Also think the Falcons have talent on offense, with 7 former first rounders starting. 6 more than the Rams.
On defense, their Pass Rush was a 2024 weakness (31st in sacks) but they added four pass rushers, including two well-regarded first rounders.

Not a fan of schedule review to evaluate how a team will do. As much depends upon WHEN you a play an opponent, as WHO are those opponents.

I look at 2 things with the Falcons.

#1 is Penix. He started 3 games last year and won 1. His comp% was under 60%. He threw as many INTs as he did TDs (3). He's going to need to make a huge jump to get them into the postseason.....or in other words, above .500.

#2 is their schedule. Sure they get Carolina and New Orleans twice. They have 6 games vs 2024 playoff teams, 4 of them in the first 5 weeks and another vs a 10 win non-playoff team, which is bunched with those other 2 at the end of the year.

I know they have "talent" but they also have an inexperienced QB and a tough schedule. If I were to bet on them, I'd take the under. I like them for about 6 or 7 wins.....which would put them at about the #10-#12 pick in the first. The Rams could put both 1st rounders together and get to 4 or 5, I'd think.

 

[dieterbrock]

It's an easier sell if you are already close to dominating the league and you can tell the target that he is the final piece of the jigsaw.

You don’t have to sell the player, you have to have a team agree to trade with you.
They couldn’t make the move they wanted in the last 2 drafts, it’s just not that easy.