Rams could see their future at quarterback when they take the field this weekend against Patriots
It will be difficult for the Los Angeles Rams to not feel envious of the New England Patriots and Drake Maye when they clash on the field this weekend in Boston. Maye has possibly been the most impressive rookie quarterback of this year’s class despite a poor supporting cast. He wasn’t even supposed to play for the Patriots this season but he earned the right to be on the field and has looked promising in many aspects.
Meanwhile Matthew Stafford is in decline for LA. It’s clear the Rams will need to pivot at quarterback after this season, whether their solution is a trade or free agent signing of a veteran or finding a long-term answer through the NFL Draft.
The Rams could see their future this weekend when they take on the Patriots and see Maye go to work. The problem is that players like Maye don’t grow on trees.
Drake Maye is getting a lot done with little help
Maye has started and finished four games so far in the NFL, and it seems with every start he’s getting better and better.
Over his first two starts against the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars, Maye finished with three total big-time throws, five turnover-worthy plays, and an adjusted completion percentage in each game of 70.0% and 72.2%, respectively.
It’s a stark comparison to his last two starts versus the Tennessee Titans and Chicago Bears where he posted five big-time throws, seven turnover-worthy plays (four in the Titans game alone), and adjusted completion rates of 79.5% and 71.4%, respectively.
These aren’t numbers that will exactly light the NFL on fire. However, when you consider the Patriots’ supporting cast, it’s easy to see how Maye is elevating those around him and getting a lot done with little help. His top receivers are Kendrick Bourne, Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas, and Hunter Henry. The offensive line is probably improved over last year, but on paper was bad enough that New England’s original plan was to start Jacoby Brissett for the 2024 season.
Most impressive is Maye’s 90.3 PFF rushing grade. He’s carried 25 times for 233 yards (9.3 average) and a score. The rookie is averaging 5.56 yards after contact, so he’s not just going down with the first defender in his path. He’s forced seven missed tackles and picked up 14 first downs with his legs. Maye is earning yardage that most other QB’s cannot reach and keeping the chains moving. It all adds up.
Which draft QB’s could interest the Rams?
Notre Dame’s Riley Leonard is nowhere near as polished as Maye was coming out of North Carolina; however, he’s just as capable if not even more explosive as a runner. Barring any unforeseen outcomes through the college football playoffs, Leonard isn’t likely to be taken as soon as third overall by Maye and could be available for the Rams in either the second, third, or later rounds. LA does not have a second round pick as a result of the trade up for Braden Fiske.
I’ll admit that I don’t watch a ton of Indiana football, but Kurtis Rourke has been impressive and is climbing up boards ahead as the draft draws nearer. The Hoosier is the top rated signal caller in the NCAA according to PFF. He has 15 big-time throws to only seven turnover-worthy plays with an adjusted completion rate of 76.3%. He’s not totally immobile at 6-5, 223 lbs. and PFF has him escaping the pocket 14 times so far this season.
