Why the Rams should cut ties with Brian Quick

Brian Quick was a second round selection in 2012. He was selected with the first pick in the round, 33rd overall. Unfortunately, that moment has been the peak of his career, because it’s been all down hill since then.

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Quick was rated very highly coming into the 2012 draft, but there were skeptics. Quick played his college ball at Appalachian State, Division I FBS. Quick was an above average wide out in college. He flirted with 1,000 receiving yards three straight years, until he finally broke through his senior year. His size and strength were some of his high points when scouts began to break him down for the NFL draft. However, his proving ground lacked serious chops. Appalachian State has produced only 25 NFL draft prospects in school history.

Quick’s rookie year was forgetful. Although he played in 15 games, he only caught 11 passes for 156 receiving yards, but two of those did go for touchdowns. He would follow that up in 2013 with 18 receptions in 16 games. He totaled 302 yards, not spectacular. 2014 may have been his break through year, but it was cut short in week 7 due to a serious shoulder injury. Prior to going down, Quick posted career highs in receptions (25), receiving yards (375) and touchdowns (3). Those stats were certainly leading to a respectable season, but still lacking for a player drafted as high as he was.

Quick is entering the final year of his rookie contract. This year he is set to make the highest salary of his deal at $1.1 million. He carries a cap hit of slightly above $1.7 million. That’s not a lot of money exchanging hands, but there also has been no real reason to offer up anymore.

Sep 21, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback Morris Claiborne (24) intercepts a pass intended for St. Louis Rams wide receiver Brian Quick (83). Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Quick has been underwhelming since day one. His draft analysis had him pegged as a big body receiver that could go up and get the ball above a defender. He was set to become the big downfield target, then quarterback Sam Bradford, needed to carry the team to the next level. None of that ever happened. Quick fulfilled more of his negatives, than positives. He struggled with top corners while at Appalachian State and continued his woes in the NFL. And all that talk of going up to get the ball at the peak of the play, never quite materialized. Quick struggled to adjust to some passes, especially those that weren’t quite spot on. Something to be expected with a young quarterback.

The shoulder injury that turned out to be a major setback in 2014 quickly shut down any progress Quick was finally making on the field. As noted earlier, he was off to the best start of his career, and would have posted quality second or third wide receiver numbers. The problem is, the Rams don’t need another second or third tier receiver, they need a go-to playmaker. Quick, and others (here’s looking at you Tavon Austin), were drafted as high as they were for a reason. The Rams needed, and still need, help on the offensive side of the ball.

With head coach Jeff Fisher going out on a limb and taking running back Todd Gurley in the first round of this years draft, it would seem the plan is to revert back to his roots and turn this team into a run first offense. Combine the potential of Gurley, and the return of Tre Mason, and Fisher is definitely on to something. With a corral of weak receiving options, it’s time for St. Louis to make some choices on who is going to stay and who needs to go. Each one has their pros and cons, but the severe lack of production from Quick should be enough to allow him to walk at the end of the year.

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