L.A. Rams GM Les Snead and Patrick Nix have a close connection. Snead was a graduate assistant at Auburn when Nix was the Tigers’ starting quarterback.
As the 2024 NFL Draft approaches, this connection has engendered speculation because Patrick Nix is the father of Bo Nix.
Rams GM Les Snead Began His Career at Auburn
Snead played as a walk-on for Auburn and thereafter became a graduate assistant for the Tigers. He held the assistant position in 1993 and 1994, before moving on to become a scout in the NFL.
Snead Was On Staff at Auburn When Patrick Nix Was QB
While Snead was a graduate assistant coach at Auburn in 1993, Patrick Nix led the Tigers to an 11-0 record. Nix did so as a sophomore. Auburn was the only team to finish the season undefeated that year and won the national championship.
What Is to Be Made of the Snead/Nix Connection?
ESPN’s Adam Schefter suggested on April 22, 2024, that the Snead/Nix connection could have significance in the upcoming draft:
“Snead could go from watching one Nix make a mark on a team he was associated with early in his career to another Nix trying to make a mark on his team years later.”
Unsurprisingly, Schefter’s suggestion has caused a bit of a buzz.
However, it could be much ado about nothing. Indeed, several draft analysts forecast that Bo Nix will be off the board by the time the Rams’ first-round selection comes up at No. 19 overall.
Pushback: Now May Not Be the Right Time for the Rams to Pick a QB
Bleacher Report questions whether the Rams should use a valuable draft pick at this point on a possible successor to Matthew Stafford rather than bringing in a player who could have an immediate impact:
“As for the Rams, having a succession plan in place for Stafford makes sense, but the Rams should be in win-now mode after reaching the postseason in 2023. Using a first-round pick on a player like Nix would be bypassing the opportunity to bring in a player who could make an immediate impact and would probably be met with some frustration from fans.”
In addition to Stafford, the Rams currently have Jimmy Garoppolo and Stetson Bennett in their quarterback room. Garoppolo signed a one-year deal with the Rams this offseason after the Las Vegas Raiders released him. And, after an enigmatic rookie year in which Bennett was on the team’s non-football injury reserve list, he has recently rejoined the team to participate in OTAs. Thus, it may be prudent for the Rams to hold off on drafting a quarterback at this point.
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