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

[El Chapo Jr]

As I often say I have been wrong before I will be wrong again but it won't stop me from speaking what I think

My gut tells me he's taken a beating for years and an MVP and a 2nd Lombardi cements his legacy and he rides of into the sunset as the best and goes to be a dad and husband and make even more money in media or TV.

IMO there is no wrong answer to this debate.

Completely agree, way too many variables we don't know about to remotely know what Stafford does unless you are someone in his inner circle. I'm sure it's a discussion he'll have this off-season with his wife and any trusted confidants. We'll all be on the edge of our seats to see what his decision is. I'm putting my guess on he'll come back. He just seems to love football too much. AD retired because he just didn't love it anymore like that which is a great reason to walk away.

 

[Coliseum Ram]

Completely agree, way too many variables we don't know about to remotely know what Stafford does unless you are someone in his inner circle. I'm sure it's a discussion he'll have this off-season with his wife and any trusted confidants. We'll all be on the edge of our seats to see what his decision is. I'm putting my guess on he'll come back. He just seems to love football too much. AD retired because he just didn't love it anymore like that which is a great reason to walk away.

The only thing that could make Stafford retire is a bad injury. Even after the 2022 season, when he was basically a walking cripple, and many fans WANTED him to hang it up, he was like, "fuck no, im playing."

As long as he comes out of this season enjoying the pristine health that he is right now, there is no reason, regardless of whether he wins or loses, he would want to retire from this situation with an all-time great coach, an all-time great GM in an all-time great Stadium living in one of the best cities in the world.

This particular Ram train is going to roll another 2-3 years.

 

[El Chapo Jr]

The only thing that could make Stafford retire is a bad injury. Even after the 2022 season, when he was basically a walking cripple, and many fans WANTED him to hang it up, he was like, "fuck no, im playing.

As long as he comes out of this season enjoying the pristine health that he is right now, there is no reason, regardless of whether he wins or loses, he would want to retire from this situation with an all-time great coach, and all-time great GM in an all-time great Stadium living in one of the best cities in the world.

This particular Ram train is going to roll another 2-3 years.

Your guess is as good as any

 

[jrry32]

Arch did have his best game and the kid sure can run. My issue with Arch Manning is the way he throws the football and I need others to watch him throw. It does not look right, it's more of a sling shot and his arm angle and footwork seem to be off.

Might have to defer to others who look at that more closely like @Memphis Ram @jrry32 & @OldSchool to post a few, however, the arm slot seems not to be right and might be the reason for his inconsistency. I know I am more of an OL guy, but that throwing motion seems to be inconsistent and not proper, if there is such a thing.

Arch needs another year in college. Doesn't look like a NFL QB to me yet. Not consistent enough.

 

[OldSchool]

Regardless of whether you may think Stafford is in it for the next few years for sure, or not, it is an interesting thought experiment to consider "what would the Rams do if he wins a title and sails off into the sunset."

Two first round picks. So they could package a lot of picks to move way up, or to chase a veteran starter they like with another team. Have to think they'd exhaust both possibilities, so they'd look at the vet options first.

Re: Burrow it seems unlikely due to the contract. But if Cincy were to get good draft value for him in trade maybe they'd sit down and try to work it out. Not a huge fan of Burrow, granted. But he's a legit QB and McVay would probably maximize him in this offense.

I still prefer a jump to 1 overall though, in that scenario. Take Mendoza, keep it balanced on the call sheet, and don't look back.

He doesn't even have to retire next year for us to take a QB. Also who were all the rumors that McVay wanted last year in the draft? That's right Jaxson Dart. People want to forget those points when projecting their thoughts onto Stafford and the Rams QB situation going forward.

 

[OldSchool]

He was also paid to be a human pin ball. Freakish game prep.
Different deal IMO.

Maybe in your mind but as far as the point I was responding to not different at all.

 

[OldSchool]

Also this thread is about drafting a QB in the next draft. Not about if Stafford retires or not. Two different thought experiments.

 

[Merlin]

He doesn't even have to retire next year for us to take a QB. Also who were all the rumors that McVay wanted last year in the draft? That's right Jaxson Dart. People want to forget those points when projecting their thoughts onto Stafford and the Rams QB situation going forward.

Very true. But whether Stafford is in our QB room or not does affect things.

For example if he is in our QB room I don't think the Rams would expend multiple first round picks to move up to the first pick. They're not going to do that if he's returning because they could use those picks for legit X type wideouts or other options that makes this team better for 2026 and maybe another run.

But if he punches out it opens up all possibilities. So while yes this thread is not about Stafford retiring, whether or not he hangs them up is part of the QB selection discussion.

 

[Coliseum Ram]

He doesn't even have to retire next year for us to take a QB. Also who were all the rumors that McVay wanted last year in the draft? That's right Jaxson Dart. People want to forget those points when projecting their thoughts onto Stafford and the Rams QB situation going forward.

Stafford wasnt THIS good or THIS healthy last year. Neither was the team. And remember, Stafford wasnt retiring last offseason, simply fishing for a bigger Contract. The Rams definitely thought about Dart. Hey, if they take a Jayden Maiava or someone in 1st Round this year im fine with that.

I just think a guy playing with a legitimate shot at both MVP and the 1-seed is a different equation from last year when we both werent as good and there was a beastly 1-seed (Philly) to get through in the Conference.

I dont understand the rush to get this guy retired. This guy dosent WANT to retire IMHO. We are in a possession of a rare gem, an upper 30's Quarterback getting SMARTER on the field with age.
Staff has NEVER thrown this few amount of Interceptions. Maybe he found something significant in that hyperbaric chamber.

 

[OldSchool]

Very true. But whether Stafford is in our QB room or not does affect things.

For example if he is in our QB room I don't think the Rams would expend multiple first round picks to move up to the first pick. They're not going to do that if he's returning because they could use those picks for legit X type wideouts or other options that makes this team better for 2026 and maybe another run.

But if he punches out it opens up all possibilities. So while yes this thread is not about Stafford retiring, whether or not he hangs them up is part of the QB selection discussion.

We needed a legit X WR last year and had a 1st round pick with that type of WR available and in the 2nd round as well. Didn't take one in either.

Needed a CB 1 last year too. Had no depth at OT and an aging RT and didn't take one. There were many players available at our 1st and after that could have helped Stafford this year. And we didn't take them. You know full well that just because we perceive a need doesn't mean McVay does or how that need should be addressed

 

[Coliseum Ram]

Also this thread is about drafting a QB in the next draft. Not about if Stafford retires or not. Two different thought experiments.

But arent these 2 facts kind of related??? I too was ALL FOR Drafting a QB THIS Draft. I just feel Stafford’s play and the team's position in the Conference and League (Super Bowl contenders next 2 years after this one, health pending of course) has changed the equation. Im pivoting based on events.

 

[OldSchool]

Stafford wasnt THIS good or THIS healthy last year. Neither was the team. And remember, Stafford wasnt retiring last offseason simply fishing for a bigger Contract. The Rams definitely thought about Dart. Hey, if they take a Jayden Maiava iir someone in 1st Round this year im fine with that.

I just think a guy playing with a legitimate shot at both MVP and the 1-seed is a different equation from last year when we both werent as good and there was a beastly 1-seed (Philly) to get through in the Conference.

I dont understand the rush to get this guy retired. This guy dosent WANT to retire IMHO. We are in a possession of a rare gem, an upper 30's Quarterback getting SMARTER on the field with age.
Staff has NEVER thrown this few amount of Interceptions. Maybe he found something significant in that hyperbaric chamber.

He literally missed the entirety of training camp due to an injury that people around here worried he might miss the season. And you say he was healthier this year than last? A back injury no less that isn't likely to go away quietly they never do.

You can do better than that. And again we're projecting our thoughts on to a guy and we shouldn't do that.

Not to mention this is a thread about drafting a QB. You want to start one debating him retiring? This thread is a discussion on if we do draft one who it is.

 

[OldSchool]

But arent these 2 facts kind of related??? I too was ALL FOR Drafting a QB THIS Draft. I just feel Stafford’s play and the team's position in the Conference and League (Super Bowl contenders next 2 years after this one, health pending of course) has changed the equation. Im pivoting based on events.

Not at all.

 

[Coliseum Ram]

He literally missed the entirety of training camp due to an injury that people around here worried he might miss the season. And you say he was healthier this year than last? A back injury no less that isn't likely to go away quietly they never do.

You can do better than that. And again we're projecting our thoughts on to a guy and we shouldn't do that.

Not to mention this is a thread about drafting a QB. You want to start one debating him retiring? This thread is a discussion on if we do draft one who it is.

That's true. Guilty as charged on getting away from the origins of the thread. As for that off-season back injury that's not affecting him now, I find that very ambiguous.

 

[Merlin]

We needed a legit X WR last year and had a 1st round pick with that type of WR available and in the 2nd round as well. Didn't take one in either.

Needed a CB 1 last year too. Had no depth at OT and an aging RT and didn't take one. There were many players available at our 1st and after that could have helped Stafford this year. And we didn't take them. You know full well that just because we perceive a need doesn't mean McVay does or how that need should be addressed

Again this is true. But it doesn't mean there isn't truth in what I said.

The wideouts in this class are really strong up top. Rams rarely end up where they get their pick of them, let alone get a shot at any of the guys near the top of that pile. So it's a very strong potential value for the offense IF we have Stafford returning.

If not, then it changes everything.

 

[Merlin]

But arent these 2 facts kind of related??? I too was ALL FOR Drafting a QB THIS Draft. I just feel Stafford’s play and the team's position in the Conference and League (Super Bowl contenders next 2 years after this one, health pending of course) has changed the equation. Im pivoting based on events.

Yes they are related. OS is just on one of his censorship kicks.

 

[Memento]

Again this is true. But it doesn't mean there isn't truth in what I said.

The wideouts in this class are really strong up top. Rams rarely end up where they get their pick of them, let alone get a shot at any of the guys near the top of that pile. So it's a very strong potential value for the offense IF we have Stafford returning.

If not, then it changes everything.

Personally, I love a lot of the wideouts that'll go in the late first/early second round. Chris Brazzell II (Tennessee) is my current favorite, but Elijah Sarratt (Indiana) is way up there as well. Not even mentioning K.C. Concepcion (Texas A&M), Carnell Tate (Ohio State), Denzel Boston (Washington), Chris Bell (Louisville), Ja'Kobi Lane and Makai Lemon (both Southern California), etc. Lots of good receivers.

That's why I'd go quarterback then receiver (even if it means trading down from our original first to go in the second), even if Stafford comes back. This is a golden opportunity to get our QB1 of the future, and I hope we don't waste it.

 

[Ram Ts]

Didn’t Snead have some exploratory conversations at draft to move up for Tet? I thought that was the case. Maybe they just thought he was a rare special talent. But it seems to me it shows how much they value the position.

But each draft is different and depends on what’s available to them. The Rams are so difficult to guess what they will do come draft time. Thankfully they are one of the best at scouting & drafting.

 

[Memphis Ram]

No. Jimmy won't be looked at as the answer long term. He would be in play as the bridge option, but his limitations would rub McVay the wrong way.

Of course, he's not the answer long term. He's 34. But, given that team needs don't influence player availability the long term answer may or may not be found in 2026. No one knows.

 

[OldSchool]

Yes they are related. OS is just on one of his censorship kicks.

This thread assumes we're going to draft a QB not if we'll need to.