LA Rams likely targeting 2024 NFL Draft for next starting QB

2024 rookie class quarterbacks

Let's be clear though. The truth is that the LA Rams have just one quarterback on the current roster, starting quarterback Matthew Stafford. And so, the Rams draft wisely could and should add a quarterback to the team's roster, as well as two more quarterbacks after the 2023 NFL Draft concludes. There is always a remote chance of hitting big on an overlooked prospect. But the team will need to keep one eye on the 2024 rookie draft class for their next potential franchise quarterback.

Which quarterbacks are we talking about? Just check this list out (appearing in random order):

1. Bo Nix - Oregon quarterback
2. Michael Penix - Washington quarterback
3. Will Rogers - Mississippi State quarterback
4. Cam Ward - Washington State quarterback
5. Jordan Travis - Florida State quarterback
6. Sam Hartman - Wake Forest quarterback
7. Michael Pratt - Tulane quarterback
8. Cameron Rising - Utah quarterback
9. Tyler Van Dyke - Miami quarterback
10. DJ Uiagalelei - Clemson quarterback
11. Devin Leary - NC State quarterback
12. Grayson McCall - Coastal Carolina quarterback
13. Tanner Mordecai - SMU quarterback
14. Dillon Gabriel - Oklahoma quarterback
15. JJ McCarthy - Michigan quarterback
16. Caleb Williams - USC quarterback
17. Drake Maye - North Carolina quarterback
18. Shedeur Sanders - Jackson State quarterback
19. Jayden Daniels - LSU quarterback
20. Quinn Ewers - Texas quarterback

That's quite a few talent hurlers, and many are expected to declare in 2024. While this entire group has another year of NCAA football competition, the top quarterback in the class at this point, Caleb Williams, already has a higher NFL projection than the best 2023 NFL Draft quarterback prospects.

Rams 2023 NFL season outlook not hampered with young roster

Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker, a playmaker who is considered a Top-5 quarterback in the 2023 NFL Draft, and one who may not last until the LA Rams pick with the 36ther over selection, would only be the seventh best quarterback in the 2024 rookie class right now. And the 2024 class has another year of football to play, and a 2024 NFL Scouting Combine to generate plenty of buzz.

Best of all, the LA Rams hold their 2024 NFL Draft Day 1 draft pick. That could mean that the Rams, without trying to tank, could choose from among the Top 4 quarterbacks as is. And if the LA Rams roster rebuild goes sideways, that could easily develop into a Top-3 quarterback for the team.

Tanking for USC quarterback Caleb Williams? I don't believe that is even part of the LA Rams discussion at this point. After all, the Rams have to plan for what is best for the team, and the 2024 NFL Draft is more than a year away. But the Rams are not exactly loading up their roster for the 2023 NFL season so far. In fact, the Rams have yet to meet and sign more than half of their 2023 roster to contracts. And if the trend continues along the same lines, the Rams will be so overloaded with rookies that the will have a tough time ending the 2023 NFL season with a record that is better than 2022's 5-12 season.

That's just how it is.

The LA Rams will field a very very young team in 2023. How well that team does, no matter how much they try and compete, is unlikely to earn them a berth in the NFL Playoffs. And so, logically the Rams will be in a very good position to choose their franchise quarterback from the 2024 NFL Draft. Who might that be.

For now, it depends on how the LA Rams perform in 2023. So what do you say? Do you feel as though the Rams will make the playoffs?