Random Ramsdom: Rams ranked 14th by ESPN in drafting QB talent

In a recent article on ESPN, NFL analyst Seth Walder took to ranking all 32 franchises in order of worst to first in how they have drafted talent at the quarterback position since 1967. The Rams landed in the top half of the rankings — but just by a bit — at No. 14.

To be more specific, this article takes into account general production by the players drafted by each team, regardless if those statistics were accumulated with another team later in their career. It also takes into account the value of the picks used, meaning a successful seventh-round quarterback who won a lot of games but no Super Bowl may be close or even more valuable than a third-round guy who lucked out into winning it all.

Aside from current starter Jared Goff, the Rams also see a huge boost in their value with magical journeyman, Ryan Fitzpatrick. He was the 250th pick in the 2005 draft and has played with eight different teams in his career. But you can’t underrate his ability to stick around while also pulling a rabbit out of his hat every once in awhile.

“Does anyone define late-round value quite like Fitzmagic? Fifteen years later the bearded one is still chugging along, having started for eight different teams in his career (with the fewest starts for the franchise that drafted him),” says Walder. “And in 2019, Fitzpatrick still played at a pretty high level, too. Need I remind you that last season with Miami (read: with Miami’s atrocious offensive line), Fitzpatrick finished eighth in Total QBR. Eighth! He was ahead of Ryan Tannehill, Carson Wentz, Jimmy Garoppolo, Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers.”

Unfortunately in this case, someone like Kurt Warner isn’t included, as he was an undrafted free agent that initially signed with the Green Bay Packers. They still get a bit of a boost from Sam Bradford, but we all know how that sad story ended.

At any rate, there are plenty of teams ahead of the Rams on this list that haven’t even won a Super Bowl, so that’s certainly something to keep in mind. Some teams just let others do the work for them!

Now for today’s links.

Rams News:

Bid on a chance to play golf with QB Jared Goff and WR Cooper Kupp! (Charity Buzz)

Stu Jackson discusses the relationship between QB Jared Goff and OC Kevin O’Connell (TheRams.com)

Cameron DaSilva highlights the appearances of HC Sean McVay and DT Aaron Donald in the newest gameplay of Madden 21 (The Rams Wire)

Bret Stuter tries his hand at some NFL power rankings (Ramblin’ Fan)

NFL News:

Seth Walder ranks every team’s history of drafting quarterbacks (ESPN)

Joe Kaisar hosts a ten-team mock fantasy draft (ESPN)

Jared Dubin discusses how Colin Kaepernick’s game fits the current NFL (CBS Sports)

Sean Wagner-McGough ranks the top-10 linebackers in the NFL (CBS Sports)

Tyler Conway reports on the Seahawks and Ravens having conversations with WR Antonio Brown (Bleacher Report)

Tom Brady is still working out with teammates despite warnings from NFLPA (Pro Football Talk)