The Los Angeles Rams find themselves with one foot in the Matthew Stafford era and the other, blindly, looking for firm ground to plant on and start the next iteration. After the team was able to successfully re-re-negotiate Stafford’s contract, head coach Sean McVay revealed that the team’s commitment to the quarterback is ‘year-to-year.’
This makes all the sense in the world as Stafford just stepped into age 37, but that leaves the Rams without a succession plan in place.
That will likely change in the upcoming NFL Draft. While it would be a shock if the Rams used the 26th pick to snag a QB, perhaps they may take a more aggressive approach to address the need this year.
Los Angeles Rams In Attendance For Cam Ward Pro Day
According to Jeff Howe of The Athletic, all 32 NFL franchises including the Rams were in attendance for the Pro Day of Miami Hurricanes QB Cam Ward. Ward is expected to be drafted in the top 3.
While it seems next to heresy to say that the Rams would trade up into the top three draft spots to put themselves in play for Ward, general manager Les Snead has earned his aggressive reputation — trading first-round picks like Monopoly money. And, lest we forget, Snead has traded up to get a quarterback in the not-so-distant past.
In a move that sent shockwaves through the NFL, the Rams executed a significant trade with the Tennessee Titans just before the 2016 NFL Draft. The Rams, in a bold bid to secure the top overall pick, parted with a substantial package of draft capital. They acquired the coveted No. 1 selection, along with fourth and sixth-round picks, from the Titans. In return, the Rams relinquished their No. 15 overall pick, two second-round picks, and a third-round pick in the 2016 draft and the Titans also received the Rams’ first and third-round picks in the 2017 draft, underscoring the magnitude of the trade.
While it seems like a longshot, these trades do happen and Snead has been the type to take all methods to success into consideration. The fact that the franchise has sent physical bodies to the pro day also speaks volumes. The Rams are famous for skipping events like the Senior Bowl and the NFL Draft Combine.
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Cam Ward possesses a compelling quarterback profile, marked by his impressive size, powerful arm, and the mobility to aid his offensive line. He demonstrates the ability to scan the entire field and generally makes sound decisions, though his processing speed is average. His throwing style, reminiscent of a shortstop, features sidearm deliveries that can thread tight windows across all levels of the field. However, his throwing mechanics occasionally lead to inconsistencies in placement and accuracy. He handles various coverage schemes with relative ease, but adapting to the complexities of disguised coverages in the NFL will require time and may not be guaranteed.
Ward’s inclination towards aggressive, vertical throws suggests a high-risk, high-reward approach. To achieve greater efficiency, he needs to refine his ability to utilize combo reads and rhythm throws. While he can use his legs to extend plays, he is primarily a pocket passer rather than a dual-threat quarterback. His pocket mobility is beneficial for extending plays when the pocket collapses, but his decision-making tends to become less reliable as plays extend.
With a patient development plan and a supportive offensive coordinator who can maximize his physical attributes while mitigating his inconsistent tendencies, Ward has the potential to evolve into a solid NFL starter within his rookie contract.