It's never too soon for the LA Rams to think about drafting a quarterback

There has been a great deal of excitement regarding the LA Rams and the Rams' backup quarterback situation in recent days. Since the Rams have signed veteran quarterback Carson Wentz to the roster, and at an incredibly team-friendly deal, the Rams roster finally has a reason to believe that even if veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford is injured, the Rams will still have a chance of winning games.

But even in the new and improved quarterback room, the LA Rams continue to race through the 2023 NFL season with extremely thin depth. In the process of adding Wentz, the Rams cut both backup quarterback Brett Rypien and reserve quarterback Dresser Winn from the roster.

That leaves rookie quarterback Stetson Bennett as the only remaining quarterback option on the Rams roster. The problem is that he is on the IR/NFI list and is very unlikely to be activated off injured reserve this season. He was spotted at a recent game between Ole Miss and Georgia, and he seemed to be doing well. But as well as he is doing, that does not help the Rams' current predicament at the quarterback position.

Rams should consider drafting a quarterback in 2024

The fortunes of any NFL team are so critically dependant upon the performance of the quarterback that many fans and even some analysts attribute a team's win-loss record to the starting quarterback. With the number of injuries to high-profile quarterbacks like New York Jets QB Aaron Rodgers, Minnesota Vikings QB Kirk Cousins, and now Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson, even NFL teams who boast a solid starter will want to add a talented rookie to the roster in the offseason.

Right now, the 2024 NFL Draft appears to be loaded with talent:

The challenge for LA Rams fans is, does drafting a quarterback upgrade the Rams roster enough to warrant a high pick? You see, there are opportunity costs associated with selecting a highly regarded quarterback in the draft. So what do I mean by opportunity costs? If you revisit the LA Rams' projected future draft picks, you find that the LA Rams are finally slated to have a pick on Day 1 of an NFL draft. So this is how the Rams are currently scheduled to pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Opportunity costs

So when are the Rams draft picks scheduled for the 2024 NFL Draft?

1. Round 1 –1- The Rams hold their first-round pick
2. Round 2– 1- The Rams hold their second-round pick
3. Round 3 –1- The Rams hold their third-round pick
4. Round 4 – 0- The Rams hold no fourth-round picks
5. Round 5 - 2 - The Rams hold their pick plus the Steelers pick.
6. Round 6 - 3 - The Rams hold the Bills pick plus 2 projected comp picks.
7. Round 7 - 2 - The Rams hold 2 projected comp picks
8. Total - 10 picks

But the Rams shopping list for the 2024 NFL Draft is growing all of the time. Some believe that the Rams should target a franchise left tackle in Round 1. Others believe that the Rams need a shutdown cornerback in that round. Still others see this as the only and only chance for the Rams to draft a true rookie successor for QB Matthew Stafford.

The trouble is, that the Rams have just one pick in Round 1. Opportunity costs is simply an estimated 'loss' of what the Rams, or any NFL team for that matter, must surrender in order to make that selection. So, if the Rams select a quarterback in Round 1, the team must defer the selection of an offensive tackle or a shutdown cornerback until Day 2.

The Rams can do well in the draft from any selection, and proved that point throughout the 2023 NFL Draft. With so many elite quarterback injuries in 2023, it's quite clear that depth at QB will distinguish between successful and unsuccessful teams in the NFL going forward. The LA Rams have overlooked that fact, and have recently begun to pay the price on the record.

But is 2024 the right draft to choose a new franchise quarterback to develop? Well, answer this question. If not 2024, then when?