The Los Angeles Rams made a surprising move in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft by selecting Stetson Bennett, the former quarterback for the Georgia Bulldogs. Bennett, who led the Bulldogs to an appearance in the College Football Playoff Championship in 2021, was considered to be a late-round pick at best, but the Rams saw something in him that they liked and decided to take a chance.
Bennett’s road to the NFL has been a unique one. He began his college career at Georgia as a walk-on in 2017, but quickly became a fan favorite due to his gritty, hard-nosed style of play. After sitting behind starter Jake Fromm for two seasons, Bennett finally got his chance to start in 2020 and led the Bulldogs to a 7-2 record.
In the 2021 season, Bennett again started the majority of the games for the Bulldogs, but was eventually benched in favor of freshman quarterback Brock Vandagriff. Despite losing his starting job, Bennett continued to provide leadership and support to his teammates, and was regarded as one of the most respected players on the team.
Many draft experts were surprised that Bennett was even invited to the NFL Combine, but he impressed scouts with his athleticism and accuracy, and showed that he could compete at the highest level. The Rams were one of several teams that showed interest in Bennett, and ultimately decided to take a chance on him with the 133rd overall pick.
The move to select Bennett is a curious one for the Rams, who already have a franchise quarterback in Matthew Stafford. However, the team may be looking for a reliable backup option in case of injury, or could be planning to use Bennett in a Taysom Hill-like role. It’s also possible that the Rams could use Bennett as a trade asset down the line.
Regardless of how Bennett is used, the pick is a testament to his hard work and perseverance. Bennett wasn’t always the most highly touted quarterback prospect, but he never let that stop him from chasing his dreams. Now, he’ll have the opportunity to prove himself at the next level, and show that he has what it takes to be a successful NFL quarterback.
