Rumors surrounding Matthew Stafford killed nearly all NFL combine buzz

This year’s NFL Scouting Combine was the most low-profile in recent memory, thanks to quarterback trade rumors

We finally have closure on one-right-after-the-other rumors surrounding Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams. The veteran quarterback will return on an adjusted contract with the exact terms to be revealed at a later date.

But just last week the news surrounding Stafford and a potential trade to either the Las Vegas Raiders or New York Giants crowded out nearly all of the buzz from this year’s NFL Scouting Combine. Stafford was the elephant in the room in Indianapolis, and he was the largest domino yet to fall for this offseason. His return to Los Angeles will cause ripple effects throughout the league.

Quarterback musical chairs will continue

With Stafford off the table, all eyes turn to the next best options available: Sam Darnold and Cam Ward.

It remains to be seen whether the Minnesota Vikings attempt to tag Darnold in hopes of him either returning or returning draft capital as part of a trade. He makes sense for several teams as a short-term option with long-term upside, and a competitive market could spur a bidding war for his services. Darnold isn’t an easy fit with say the Giants, but he is an intriguing option for teams with disposable cash like the Raiders and Tennessee Titans.

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Tennessee holds all the cards in this year’s draft with the first overall pick. They may stay in place and draft Ward, though it will be attractive to move down a few spots to accumulate draft capital and replenish a roster that needs young talent across the board. The Cleveland Browns and Giants hold the second and third picks, respectively, so the Titans could let either of those teams get their guy without sacrificing a chance to land one of the few marquee players in this draft.

If it feels like there are more desperate, QB-needy teams this year than good options to fill these seats, that’s because it’s true. After Darnold in free agency there are only middling bridge options that have minimal long-term upside. In terms of the draft, few quarterbacks likely possess the ability to make an impact in their first season—even Ward could use some time to develop before he’s thrown into the fire.

It’s good for the Rams they were able to keep the top option on the quarterback market, and now they can sit back and watch the rest of the needy teams scramble and compete for the few decent options remaining.

Where is all of the combine buzz?

This year’s draft class seemingly lacks blue chip players. Even the few that are deserving of that mantle still have significant question marks in their profile.

Travis Hunter of Colorado is obviously a special talent. Is he a receiver or a corner? He is intent on playing both positions at the professional level, but are you getting a jack of all trades that is a master of none? That’s not the type of building block you are hoping for at the top of the draft.

Abdul Carter is an awesome EDGE defender that will improve whichever defense he joins; however, he has significant injury concerns that may limit his long-term career outlook. Laiatu Latu had somewhat similar injury issues last year, though he was a step down as a prospect and was still the first EDGE off the board at 15th overall. When you are making a franchise-altering pick, you’d prefer not to be gambling on the injury front.

The best offensive line prospect in the draft is likely LSU’s Will Campbell. Experts can’t seem to agree whether Campbell is best suited outside at tackle or inside at guard. Still, he’s a high-character individual that will probably succeed either way. It’s all about maximizing value, and this lackluster draft class could force your hand into taking an interior player early.

Final thoughts

The Rams are somewhat in purgatory at the 26th overall pick. Barring a very aggressive trade up, they have no shot at the handful of blue chip players in this class. They might get lucky and see a tackle, receiver, corner, or quarterback fall into their lap. However, the most likely option is that LA trades back in hopes of acquiring more draft capital and offsetting the fact they don’t have a second round pick this year. It does help they have two third-round picks, with the later being a result of Raheem Morris being hired by the Atlanta Falcons.

Les Snead and Sean McVay crushed the high hopes of the Raiders and Giants by coming to terms on an adjusted contract with Matthew Stafford. That’s not the only bubble they seemed to have burst. The rumors surrounding Stafford seemed to kill nearly all buzz coming out of the combine.