Offense
The top priority for the Rams roster this offseason in the 2025 NFL Draft has to be the offense. In 2023, the front office balanced the draft between offense and defense. In 2024, the front office invested in the offense during the NFL Free Agency market, while pivoting to the defense for much of the draft. The team's efforts to upgrade the offense into a powerhouse this past season fell far short of the mark.
You can't decry the front office for a lack of effort. The Rams went overboard on spending for players on the offensive side of the football. The Rams spent more than any other team on offensive players, and the least of any other team on defensive players. The money truly did not equate to productivity. So the team must look at other ways to enhance the offense.
Tight end
In 2023, the Rams reportedly tried to trade into Round 1 to select Utah rookie TE Dalton Kincaid. I was stunned by the news, as I did not have tight ends as a position that would interest the team in that draft. I considered the chance for the Rams to target Georgia TE Brock Bowers in the 2024 NFL Draft, but I gave the scenario a thumbs down. The Rams' offense had not shown much history in routing the plays through the hands of a tight end. But the experience of 2024 has modified my stance.
Tyler Higbee's return proved that the Rams can get plenty of oomph out of the right tight end, something that was absent in all of 2024 until Higbee's return. But Higbee is aging and coming off injuries. The 2025 NFL Draft is loaded with quality tight ends. Yes, even an old dog like me can learn new tricks. It's time for the front office to scratch that tight-end itch.
Quarterback
Matthew Stafford is 37 years old, is suffering injuries at an ever-increasing frequency, struggles to perform to his normal level of production, and has developed a bit of streakiness in his level of week-to-week production. Right now, he has the team hanging while he decides whether or not he wants to return to play in 2025. Beyond that, he is unlikely to return unless his salary demands are satisfied, and that includes a Brink's truck laden with guaranteed salary cap dollars.
His indecision has backed the team into a corner.
Veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford can and should be the starter for this team in 2025. But the team has to take the quarterback succession plan far more seriously as well. Both statements can be true at the same time. And that means that the Rams cannot gloss over the quarterback position any longer.
Currently, the Rams roster holds Matthew Stafford and Stetson Bennett in 2025. Stafford is uncertain what his status will be when the team regroups next season. I shudder to think that this team could be forced to scramble for a veteran quarterback in free agency if Stafford decides to retire or simply to hold out for guaranteed money. And yes, his holdout for the right price is almost a certainty right now.
I love the upside of young quarterback Stetson Bennett. Many fans do not appreciate his future potential. Even if Bennett proves to be a worthy NFL starter, the team is shy of at least one if not two or three quarterbacks for the 2025 training camp. The team could lure back veteran QB Jimmy Garoppolo just in case, but even if successful in doing so, the team needs a young talented throwing arm to compete with Bennett.
In any scenario now with Stafford returning to start in 2025, the Rams need to have a young quarterback in the on-deck circle getting warmed up to take over. The 2025 NFL Draft is an ideal spot to find him.