Paxton Lynch, Davis Webb could be developmental QB options for Rams
Cameron DaSilva
[
theramswire.usatoday.com]
The Los Angeles Rams have already found their franchise quarterback in Jared Goff, selecting him first overall in 2016. There’s no doubt about who will lead this team for the foreseeable future, but there are questions about the guys behind him on the depth chart.
As it stands right now, the Rams have three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster. Sean Mannion will be Goff’s backup, while Brandon Allen will be the emergency option as the No. 3 guy. If you watched the Rams’ four preseason games, you probably came away unimpressed by both quarterbacks.
They were both very bad, combining to go 57-for-97 with 429 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions, averaging a measly 4.2 yards per attempt. Just about all of that came against second- and third-string defenses, too, which makes their play even more concerning.
Sean McVay made it clear that the Rams aren’t set on carrying three quarterbacks this season, saying they’ll “continue to evaluate that” and keep monitoring the situation. Neither quarterback should feel particularly safe, especially with two intriguing options now on the open market.
Over the weekend the Giants and Broncos waived Davis Webb and Paxton Lynch, respectively. Webb was a third-round pick in 2017 and looked like a potential replacement for Eli Manning down the line, while Lynch was Denver’s first-rounder in 2016 after trading up to select him.
Now, both are ready and able to sign with any team after going unclaimed on waivers. That’s not to say teams didn’t have interest in bringing either player aboard. It’s just that no one wanted to take on their rookie contracts, which would’ve been the case had they been claimed.
(Update: Webb signed to the Jets practice squad after this post was published, but the Rams can still sign him to their 53-man roster)
Should the Rams take a look at either of these former top-100 picks? Absolutely they should, but not necessarily to replace Mannion.
Although Mannion has looked awful thus far and doesn’t instill much confidence as Goff’s immediate backup, he does know the system and has at least earned the trust of McVay. Bringing in a second- or third-year quarterback to be the No. 2 guy less than a week before the regular season starts is a risky move, especially considering they’d have to learn an entirely new scheme to be prepared for possible playing time.
However, signing Webb or Lynch to replace Allen is a move worth making. Allen is older than Goff and has never looked like a starting-caliber quarterback. He doesn’t have great size or traits for the position, already putting him behind the eight ball. Webb and Lynch impressed teams with their size and throwing ability during the pre-draft process – albeit, both failing to capitalize on their God-given abilities thus far – bringing some potential to a quarterback room that’s lacking promise behind Goff.
There’s obviously a reason both quarterbacks are available, too. Lynch has done next to nothing to earn a starting job in his first two seasons, averaging just 6.2 yards per attempt and completing just over 61 percent of his passes. He’s made poor decisions with the football, throwing four interceptions and fumbling it four times in just four career starts.
Webb, on the other hand, looked very good in the preseason for the Giants. In the second game against the Lions, he completed 14 of 20 passes for 140 yards and a touchdown, posting a passer rating of 106.2. Granted the preseason doesn’t mean a ton, but Webb at least looked capable of making NFL throws.
The Rams need to find someone to develop behind Goff because Mannion and Allen seem to have already hit their ceilings. It’s hard to imagine either getting significantly better over time, while Webb and Lynch have room to grow.
Put either of them in Los Angeles with McVay around to coach them and it’s possible they’ll turn into quality No. 2 quarterbacks. That simply hasn’t happened with Mannion or Allen yet.
