Rams must trade up for Matthew Stafford’s potential successor

South Carolina QB Spencer Rattler is one of the best remaining players entering Day 3

In the 2023 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Rams selected Georgia star Stetson Bennett with the No. 128 overall pick in the fourth round. It was expected that Bennett might provide Matthew Stafford insurance but instead, the two-time CFP champ missed his entire rookie campaign. Fast-forward to a year later and while QB isn’t much of a need for LA, one name continues to intrigue: Spencer Rattler.

Six quarterbacks were taken within the first 12 picks, yet the draft has entered the “QB dead zone” following the Broncos’ Bo Nix selection. Rattler is without a doubt the most talented signal caller left on the board. The Rams don’t have a fourth-round pick and that is why I’m urging them to trade into the round to take Rattler. ASAP.

While LA has every reason to feel hesitant about taking another QB in the fourth round after the Bennett pick, Rattler could become Stafford’s successor.

I’ll admit I wasn’t crazy about Rattler at first but I grew to love him after his stellar Senior Bowl performance. The problem with him is that most scouts appear to be holding his past immaturities against him and that’s not fair at all. Rattler needed to be humbled after leaving Oklahoma and joining the Gamecocks was likely the best thing to ever happen to him.

He grew up quickly at South Carolina and his former head coach Shane Beamer took notice. Beamer adamantly came to Rattler’s defense in the wee hours before the start of Day 3.

Could the Rams be the team getting a future starter as Beamer said? You know, why the hell not. Future starters can be found anywhere in the draft, especially on Day 3. The Cowboys took Dak Prescott in the fourth round in 2016 and in case you didn’t know this, Brock Purdy was Mr. Irrelevant two years ago. Oh and that Tom Brady guy was a six-rounder.

Most importantly, the Rams wouldn’t be pulling a Falcons by acquiring Rattler. The organization took a QB last year, meaning LA wouldn’t be pulling the rug out from under Stafford as Atlanta did to Kirk Cousins in the first round. Making a move for Rattler would signify job security questions for Bennett, not Stafford.

Rattler is just 23 years old and would not feel pressure to start right away in LA with Stafford and Jimmy Garoppolo ahead of him. Of course, the Rams have to pull the trigger first. There are four QB needy teams within the first 12 picks of the fourth round. The Seahawks, Giants, Raiders and Jets — with Aaron Rodgers’ permission — could realistically snag Rattler.

Under Sean McVay’s guidance, Rattler could be a special player in Hollywood. However, the front office has to recognize his potential and take a relative gamble. If they do, I believe Spencer Rattler is a star in the making.

Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images