McVay: Rams 'Have to Address' Backup QB - Draft or Free Agency?
The Los Angeles Rams, in the midst of what general manager Les Snead dubbed a “remodel,” have plenty of needs to fill - including one they hope doesn’t prove to be a “need” next season: backup quarterback.
With Matthew Stafford poised to start for the third consecutive season, Los Angeles has its sights set further down the depth chart.
This past season, John Wolford and Bryce Perkins drew starts in place of Stafford, who battled multiple ailments but ultimately saw his year come to an early close due to a spinal cord contusion.
There was also the stint with Baker Mayfield under center, but any chance of a potential reunion ended when he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the start of free agency.
But now, with both Wolford and Perkins as free agents, the Rams are faced with a decision regarding Stafford’s backup - youth in the draft or a veteran option in free agency?
Rams coach Sean McVay touched on the subject this week at the NFL owner’s meeting …
“You have to be open-minded,” McVay said. “Obviously, Matthew is the only quarterback we have on the roster right now, so in some form or fashion, we have to be able to address that, whether that's via (the) draft or free agency. So those are things that we're definitely monitoring."
The Rams have expressed interest in BYU’s Jaren Hall, currently projected as a mid-to-late-round draft pick, and have been tipped to select quarterbacks in some mock drafts, be it Kentucky’s Will Levis or Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker, though neither figure to be available when Los Angeles gets on the clock at No. 37 overall.
However, McVay didn’t seem entirely sold on the idea of drafting and developing a passer this April.
"I don't know that we'll necessarily need to do that,” said McVay, noting that the Rams have “a lot of different things” as far as options and needs.
"Being able to kind of prioritize those things, and then in a lot of instances, those decisions kind of unfold for you," McVay said. "I think you want to make sure that you have an appreciation for a lot of different players in this draft at a lot of different positions."
As such, the Rams may just opt to appreciate a veteran backup, someone who’s proven to have the capabilities of winning games when forced into action.
But in an ideal world, Los Angeles’ backup decision won’t be brought into the forefront next season - though it’s certainly a position worth monitoring as the offseason progresses.
You can follow Daniel Flick on Twitter @DFlickDraft
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