Bo Knows? Draft Analyst Links Los Angeles Rams To Oregon QB Nix

Could the Los Angeles Rams look to draft Matthew Stafford's potential successor later this month?

With the NFL Draft just a few weeks away, the mystery of whether or not the Los Angeles Rams will take a quarterback will soon have a resolution.

The Rams don't need a quarterback right this second, as Matthew Stafford still has a bit of gas left in the tank. Considering that Stafford turned 36 in February, though, L.A. may want to start looking for a successor sooner than later.

Spending a first-round pick on a quarterback who won't start for a year or more when there are other pressing needs may not be feasible, but later on in the draft could be a better choice. Trevor Sikkema, Pro Football Focus' lead draft analyst, believes that Oregon quarterback Bo Nix could be the perfect choice if the Rams decide to go down this route.

Oregon quarterback Bo Nix throws down field against Oregon State during the second quarter at Autzen

Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard / USA

“I don’t think that it happens at 19,” Sikkema said on LAFB's "The Rams Skinny" podcast. “But if you’re in a situation where you got a lot of ammo behind you if you’re sitting there at 52 you have the chance to trade up and maybe go get him. I think that that to me would make sense for them because the Jimmy G signing doesn’t really move the needle for me. I would absolutely take Bo Nix over Stetson Bennett in a heartbeat when it comes to being the backup of this team and being the developmental quarterback.”

Nix transferred to Oregon from Auburn in 2022, and it proved to be the best decision for him. In his two seasons with the Ducks, Nix completed 74.9 percent of his passes for 8,101 yards with 74 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions. It's also worth noting that he did all that while averaging 10.4 air yards per pass attempt.

The 2023 Heisman Trophy Finalist can also use his legs effectively, as he rushed for 744 yards and 20 touchdowns with the Ducks.

Nix isn't a perfect prospect, and his being 24 already may scare some teams off. Still, the upside is there, and if the Rams can nab him in the second round or later, it may prove a worthwhile investment.

“I genuinely believe that Nix could be a good NFL starter one day, and you’ll see what happens from there…” “…I could see this guy as a full-time starter. And then you see how they evolve there once they get into that role in the NFL. I’d love for him to sit behind Matthew Stafford. I would love for him to get to work with Sean McVay in that offense. Again, We don’t know how much longer Matthew Stafford’s going to do this, and so getting Nix in this year, I would love it.”