In a unexpected move during the NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Rams chose Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett in the fourth round, a much earlier selection than anticipated. Despite already having Matthew Stafford as their franchise quarterback, who incidentally also played for Georgia, the Rams made a peculiar choice, particularly considering their limited draft picks and the need to address multiple roster gaps for a team in the midst of a rebuilding phase.
The Rams have faced financial challenges, leading them to part ways with star players such as Jalen Ramsey, Bobby Wagner, and Allen Robinson, as they grapple with salary cap constraints. While it wasn’t entirely surprising for the Rams to pick a quarterback, Bennett’s early selection caught many off guard, with some initial predictions even suggesting he might go undrafted. Despite Bennett’s impressive track record with two consecutive National Championships, questions about his off-field life contributed to speculation about a potential slide in the draft order.
Bennett, a longtime Georgia starter, faced criticism for occasional inconsistency in his passing and being undersized for his position. Additionally, at 25 years old, he is older than many prospects, sharing the same age as NFL veteran Sam Darnold in his sixth season. His fiery personality, which some analysts viewed as a potential drawback, added to the uncertainty surrounding his draft prospects.
Nevertheless, the Rams opted for Bennett in the fourth round, a surprising decision given the availability of other quarterbacks, including UCLA’s Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who was widely expected to be the sixth quarterback chosen. With Stafford’s recent injury struggles, Bennett finds himself in a potentially favorable situation, coached by the highly regarded offensive mind of Sean McVay.
