Drafting your next QB is so different than drafting your next #1 WR or next LT or next pass rushing DT.
You draft Nacua in 2023 knowing Kupp is going to be 30 when the season starts ... but you can play both of them at the same time. The fact that Puka did what he did is certainly a bonus, but the point is Puka isn't nailed to the bench just because Kupp is still on the team.
You draft Turner in 2023 knowing AD is only signed thru 2024. I suspect that the Rams drafted the 6'2", 288 Turner with plans to groom him to take AD's spot on the DL (not that he could ever fill his shoes) ... but in the mean time they Rams can play Turner at NT until AD vacates his spot.
I have no idea if the Rams would do this, but they could: Sign Jackson to a 1 year deal, draft a LT prospect, move Avila to center, play the LT prospect at LG for a year. Then in 2025 let Jackson hit FA in 2025, slide the LT prospect over to LT and plug in a new LG.
The point is you can draft a future replacement player at any position but QB and get some value from him while you wait for him to replace the guy in front of him.
With QB, you draft the next guy and best case scenario he sits on the bench for three years.
Jordan Love, case in point. The Pack drafted him in 2020, then over the next three years he barely played (inactive his entire rookie year!) while the Packers lost the NFCCG in 2020, lost in the Divisional round in 2021, and missed the playoffs by 1 game in 2022.
What if instead of Love the Packers had drafted one of these guys, all of whom were on the board when they picked Love. Would the Packer have won a Super Bowl? We'll never know. But one thing I do know: they would have had a better chance!!
Jordyn Brooks (ILB ), Patrick Queen (ILB ), Isaiah Wilson (LT), Jeff Gladney (CB ), Clyde Edwards-Helaire (RB ), Tee Higgins (WR), Michael Pittman Jr. (WR)
AlbaNY_Ram
