Rams coaching staff is set up to develop quarterbacks, including Stetson Bennett

Even touted QBs struggle in the NFL

Let's focus on the least experienced quarterback on the Rams roster, second-year QB Stetson Bennett. It's no stretch of the trutch to admit that few fans rolled out the red carpet and applauded his selection with the 128th overall pick in Round 4 of the 2023 NFL Draft. But quarterbacks who are selected are not instant success stories. Just check out the aftermath of the 2021 draft QB class, and you can see that players to are chosen even in Round 1 can struggle:

So who was chosen in the 2023 NFL Draft? Ah, that's the right question. 14 quarterbacks were selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, and Stetson Bennett was the seventh quarterback chosen in the draft. So how have those quarterbacks done so far? Let's examine the entire draft class and see how the group is doing?

• Bryce Young | 1st overall | Carolina Panthers | 16 starts | 2877 yards | 11 TDs | 10 INTs
• CJ Stroud | 2nd overall | Houston Texans | 15 starts | 4108 yards | 23 TDs | 5 INTs
• Anthony Richardson | 4th overall | Indianapolis Colts | 4 starts | 577 yards | 3 TDs | 1 INT
• Will Levis | 33rd overall | Tennessee Titans | 9 starts | 1808 yards | 8 TDs | 4 INTs
• Hendon Hooker | 68th overall | Detroit Lions | No stats - On Roster
• Jake Haener | 127th overall | New Orleans Saints | No stats - On Roster
• Stetson Bennett | 128th overall | Los Angeles Rams | No stats - On Roster
• Aidan O'Connell | 135th overall | Las Vegas Raiders | 10 starts | 2218 yards | 12 TDs | 7 INTs
• Clayton Tune | 139th overall | Arizona Cardinals | 1 start | 62 yards | 0 TDs | 2 INTs
• Dorian Thompson-Robinson | 140th overall | Cleveland Browns | 3 starts | 440 yards | 1 TD | 4 INTs
• Sean Clifford | 149th overall | Green Bay Packers | 0 starts | -(2) yards | 0 TDs | 0 INTs | RELEASED
• Jaren Hall | 164th overall | Minnesota Vikings | 2 starts | 168 yards | 0 TDs | 1 INT
• Tanner McKee | 188th overall | Philadelphia Eagles | No stats - On Roster
• Max Duggan | 239th overall | Los Angeles Chargers | No stats - RELEASED

Of the 14 quarterbacks selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, two have already been released. Of the remaining 12 quarterbacks, four have generated no stats. Of the remaining eight quarterbacks, they have accounted for 58 passing touchdowns and 34 interceptions in 60 starts.

Clearly, opportunity is the key to success in the NFL. For those 2023 rookie quarterbacks with fewer than nine starts, there is still a bit of mystery that surrounds their future. But ever for those quarterbacks who have gotten plenty of work so far, the NFL is a tough job for young quarterbacks to master. Adversity will come in waves. For many young hurlers, it could be the first time facing a period of struggle.

As you can see from the chart above, only three out of 14 quarterbacks threw for more than 2000 passing yards in 2023. I would consider only CJ Stroud as a true NFL success story so far. And yet, the tales of so many other quarterbacks, including Stetson Bennett, have yet to be fully written.

So it's time to see how the Rams intend to help Beneett along in 2024. He'll get by with a lot of help from the coaching staff.