The Los Angeles Rams need a quarterback. Badly. Case Keenum is a solid backup, but not a legit starter and the Nick Foles trade backfired in a big way. However, since the top two quarterback prospects in this year's draft class - Carson Wentz and Jared Goff - are expected to be off the board within the first ten picks, there's no slam dunk option at the position for the Rams at No. 15. So maybe they wait on a QB this year.
If that's the case, which signal-callers should be on their radar in Round 2 where L.A. holds the No. 43 and No. 45 overall picks? Penn State's Christian Hackenberg isn't a terrible option (that was a real ringing endorsement).
Hackenberg was once viewed as a potential No. 1 overall pick before two sub-par seasons tanked his draft value. In 2015, he completed 53.5 percent of his passes while throwing for 2,525 yards with 16 touchdowns against six interceptions. It's worth noting that Hackenberg was battered behind a porous offensive line for two years, but his up-and-down play doesn't hinge entirely on that excuse.
Hackenberg has the ideal size (6-4, 234 lbs) and arm strength that you look for in a prototypical pocket passer. Physically, he's good to go. But his decision making, anticipation and accuracy never quite developed like the Nittany Lions had hoped. Whichever team he goes to, he'll have to sit and learn for a while before taking the field. Though Keenum and Foles aren't ideal options, they both have starting experience and would allow Hackenberg to acclimate to the NFL from the sidelines first.
But Hackenberg isn't the only QB project the Rams should look at on Day 2. If available, Memphis' Paxton Lynch and Michigan State's Connor Cook merit some consideration. Lynch may be more of a system quarterback and Cook was labeled a game manager this past year, but both are young passers with upside who could be developed over time.
Regardless of how Los Angeles ranks the QB prospects, the simple truth is that they need to take a quarterback, any quarterback, they believe could compete and contribute over the next few years. Not since the days of Kurt Warner have the Rams had a reliable option line up under center. Hackenberg, Lynch and Cook may not be that guy, but the Rams owe it to their fans to try and find out.
Follow Brandon Katz on Twitter at @Great_Katzby
