Georgia QB Stetson Bennett is heading to Hollywood.
During the fourth round of the NFL Draft on Saturday, the Rams made an interesting pick by selecting the two-time national champion at No. 128 overall.
.@StetsonIV's resumé speaks for itself.
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) April 29, 2023
: #NFLDraft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/FXf4w3r2Nd
Bennett overcame the odds at Georgia. After walking on, transferring to junior college and returning to Georgia, he became a 2022 Heisman finalist and a 2022 Burlsworth Award winner.
However, there are doubts about his ability to make it at the next level.
Bennett lacks prototypical NFL QB size (5-foot-11 and 192 pounds) and is old for a rookie at 25. NFL.com grades him as an average backup (5.94).
"While he has detractions from a physical standpoint, Bennett also has to clean up his off-the-field conduct, too," wrote Sports Illustrated's Mike McDaniel. "He's been arrested for public intoxication on multiple occasions and will now have to prove to the Rams that he is focused on the task at hand."
So selecting Bennett carries risk, but the Rams only have one QB on their roster, Matthew Stafford. Stafford is entering the twilight of his career at 34 and missed eight games last season.
The Rams might like Bennett as a backup since he played at a high level in big games. In his six previous postseason games, he went 5-1, averaged 308.8 yards per game and threw 19 TDs.
Last time @StetsonIV was at @SoFiStadium...
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) April 29, 2023
18/25
304 passing yards
4 passing TDs
99.5 QBR
2 rushing TDs pic.twitter.com/BSGRBVx5ll
He also excelled in a top-tier conference. In 15 games last season, he led the SEC in passing yards (4,127) and was third in completion percentage (68.1 percent).
The Rams picking Bennett isn't nonsensical, and he could develop into a quality backup under HC Sean McVay.
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