Los Angeles Rams Mock Draft Round Up: Carson Wentz Dominates Draft Boards

The Los Angeles Rams are a week and a half away from making a decision that could make or break the franchise. The Rams will take a quarterback with the first overall pick, but which quarterback will they take? Here’s a look around the web to see who other writers have the Les Snead and Jeff Fisher building their future around.

Lance Zierlein – NFL.com – QB Carson Wentz

"“This is an aggressive stroke by a team looking to make a big splash and (presumably) find the face of its franchise as it heads to a new home. Wentz (or Jared Goff) could be brought along at a more patient pace considering the honeymoon period the Rams will have with their new fan base. Regardless, it is highly unlikely that the Rams gave up what they did to move into this spot to not take a quarterback.”"

Daniel Jeremiah – NFL.com – QB Carson Wentz

"Jeff Fisher had a lot of success with a big, athletic small-school QB in Tennessee."

Charles Davis – NFL.com – QB Carson Wentz

"After the dust settles from the Rams’ big move (should we be surprised that their return to L.A. necessitated making a HUGE splash?!), we can get ourselves prepared for the big reveal in Chicago on April 28. I see Wentz being the pick due to his overall athleticism and fit with head coach Jeff Fisher, who had success with a strong, Division I-AA QB in Steve McNair."

Charley Casserley – NFL.com – QB Jared Goff

"More ready to play now than Carson Wentz. This team has been a quarterback away from the playoffs."

Bucky Brooks – NFL.com – QB Carson Wentz

"This is a tightly contested debate between Wentz and Jared Goff, but in this scenario I say Jeff Fisher sticks with the blueprint. If you remember, years ago he took Steve McNair out of Alcorn State. He was a small-school standout. He sat for a couple years and developed into a franchise quarterback. With the Rams, you have similar surrounding pieces in place with a big-time running back in Todd Gurley and a playmaker in Tavon Austin."

Rob Rang – CBS – QB Carson Wentz

"The last time an FCS player was selected in the top three came back in 1995 when a young Jeff Fisher — then head coach of the Houston Oilers — drafted the late Steve McNair out of Alcorn State with the third overall pick. Hitting a “small school” prospect all those years ago may give Fisher and general manager Les Snead the confidence to nab Wentz, who is thought to possess a higher upside than Goff. Showing not only all of the physical talent scouts are looking for in a franchise quarterback but the leadership and composure as well, Wentz eased concerns about his level of competition at NDSU with stellar performances at the Senior Bowl, combine and his March 24 pro day. With explosive weapons Todd Gurleyand Tavon Austin already in place on offense and the NFL’s most ferocious defensive line, the Rams are only an improved passing game away from competing in the NFC West."

Dan Kadar – SB Nation – QB Carson Wentz

"Any debate about whether or not the Rams gave up too much to move all the way up to the No. 1 pick in the draft is futile. The debate about which top quarterback they’ll take with this pick is not. NFL media insiders seem split between Wentz and Jared Goff of California. You’d think the Rams know who they want, but they’re scheduled to meet with both before the draft in less than two weeks. Do they go with the perceived upside and size of Wentz or the savvy of Goff? The choice right now is Wentz, but maybe we’ll get a little more intel about the pick before the draft."

Ian Wharton – Bleacher Report – QB Jared Goff

"Goff has advanced mental makeup, has continued to add weight to his frame and proved to be a playmaker against top competition. I believe he is the ideal pick because he has the highest ceiling and floor of any quarterback in the class."

Chris Burke – SI.com – QB Carson Wentz

Michael Schottey – Forbes – QB Carson Wentz

"I can’t believe the Rams would’ve traded up for anything other than a quarterback, and Wentz has Andrew Luck-type potential for a franchise that hasn’t had anything at quarterback since the Greatest Show on Turf. Wentz not only projects as a cornerstone for the team, but he also goes a long way toward selling season tickets in the Rams’ new stadium."

There you have it, just a little less than two weeks before the NFL draft and the consensus seems to be that the Rams are going to go with quarterback Carson Wentz out of North Dakota State. He has the much higher upside and can develop into a premier franchise quarterback in the NFL.