The St. Louis Rams are close to being a quality football team. They have a talented defensive line, a stable of capable running backs and some decent pass catchers. They hold wins over the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks this year. But what the team is really missing is a franchise quarterback.
Former No. 1 overall pick Sam Bradford hasn't lived up to the hype while dealing with several serious injuries throughout his NFL career. Bradford tore his ACL prior to this season, landing him on season-ending injured reserve before taking a single regular season snap. Bradford's contract is not guaranteed next year, meaning he could become a cap casualty to clear space. Durability is a skill in the NFL and Bradford, who has only played in 39 games since the start of 2010 season, does not possess it.
Veteran Shaun Hill and second-year QB Austin Davis filled in as best they could under center this season, but the Rams still finished last in the NFC West at 6-10. St. Louis is now slated for the tenth pick in the 2015 NFL draft, but they should try to trade up into the top five to grab one of the top quarterback prospects.
"...To hurdle over the skids of inconsistent play, the Rams need to find a quarterback to guide their offense for years to come," ESPN's Field Yates wrote. "With a slim class of free agents this offseason (Mark Sanchez and Brian Hoyer are among the best available quarterbacks, if that gives you an idea), the best vehicle to acquiring that player is trading up in the draft."
Oregon's Marcus Mariota and Florida State's Jameis Winston are considered the top two quarterbacks in this year's draft class. However, ESPN's Todd McShay has them going first and second, respectively, in his first mock draft. It would be quite pricey for the Rams to somehow maneuver into one of those draft slots. But it could be worth it.
Mariota is an incredible athlete with fantastic dual-threat talent and dynamic playmaking ability. Winston is an accurate pocket-passer coming from a pro-style offense but is saddled with several character concerns.
Ultimately, the Rams will have to ask themselves if they are willing to make such a risky and bold move.
"While sacrificing the young talent lost in trading multiple picks (just how much the Rams would have to give up to select a top-rated quarterback depends on whom they are trading with and what pick they own themselves) hurts, the Rams - who have the second-youngest roster in the NFL behind only the Jaguars - are flush with talent primed to form the nucleus to contend already," Yates added. "St. Louis' defense and special teams are already at the level of a Super Bowl team; the offense is lacking one critical element."
