LA Rams: How each quarterback fits into the evolving offense

John Wolford is the LA Rams run-pass option specialist

John Wolford begins his second season with the Rams, this season. He spent last season on the practice squad. Wolford did see preseason action but was unable to replace Blake Bortles as the backup to Goff.

Wolford played at Wake Forest from 2014 through 2017. While there, he completed 761 passes for 8794 yards with 59 touchdowns. He also ran for 1120 yards with 19 touchdowns.

The knock against Wolford has always been his physical stature. He stands just 6-feet-1 and weighs in at a mere 200 pounds. That height and weight background triggered numerous additional questions about durability, ability to translate his game to the NFL level, and how an offense must adapt to a shorter stature quarterback to succeed.  To sum it up, Wolford does not pass the eye test for what many believe an NFL quarterback should look like.

Wolford fits McVay’s vision of incorporating a running quarterback in the Rams offense. Deep throws are going to be faded out as time goes by, simply due to the fact that quarterbacks do not have enough time to allow that play to develop. Wolford has a strong ability to read defenses and makes the right decision to throw to the open man.

The run-pass option (RPO) in the NFL differs from that of college football. NFL teams do not want their starting quarterback involved in plays that place him at risk of injury. Wolford is able to avoid the big hits from big NFL defensive tacklers.

As the offseason progresses, Wolford will probably be fighting for the third spot on the quarterback depth chart. It’s not because Wolford is not a good player but because there are other guys with superior skill sets.

Now let’s discuss the next quarterback and his fit.