Rams 'Looking for Their Brock Purdy' With Stetson Bennett Pick?
In this story:
LOS ANGELES - By selecting Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Stetson Bennett in the fourth round of the 2023 draft, the Los Angeles Rams hope they found a hidden gem.
According to an NFL executive who spoke with The Athletic, the Rams have high hopes for the Georgia quarterback, seeing him as their version of Brock Purdy.
"They are looking for their Brock Purdy," the executive said. "The reality is, no one is going to notice the guard they took, but if Stetson Bennett can play, it's going to be a Hall of Fame draft."
The 49ers drafted Purdy in the 2022 draft with the final overall pick from Iowa State. After injuries to Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo, Purdy stepped in as starting quarterback and was impressed with his performance.
Purdy helped lead the Niners to the NFC championship, where he was hurt early in the game, and San Francisco would go on to lose 31-7 to the Philadelphia Eagles.
There has been significant debate surrounding Bennett's potential as an NFL quarterback due to his age and size. He will turn 26 in October and currently stands at 5'11" and 192 pounds. Despite leading Georgia to consecutive national titles, his ability to succeed professionally is a topic of discussion.
Bennett's character and maturity have been questioned due to an incident in January where he was arrested for public intoxication. The police found Bennett knocking on doors while intoxicated and took him into custody. Despite these concerns, the Rams were comfortable enough with him to select him on Day 3.
Bennett will be able to learn and develop in the NFL while playing behind Pro Bowl quarterback Matthew Stafford - and perhaps more if the Rams can strike Purdy-like gold.
Follow Jacob Hare on Twitter
Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Rams? Click Here
Want to join in on the discussion? Click here to become a member of the Ram Digest message board community today!
Follow Ram Digest on Twitter and Facebook.
Want even more L.A. Rams news? Check out the SI.com team page here.
