A Los Angeles Rams future with a different 2009 NFL draft opportunity unveiled itself this week. But the problem with “what if” scenarios of past events is that, like time travel, it doesn’t always seem to work out like we assume it would.
ESPN.com wrote a story about an alternate NFL reality for all 32 teams based on “what if” scenarios playing out differently in recent drafts, and how that would’ve affected each franchise.
The Rams’ what-if scenario involved the Detroit Lions passing on quarterback Matthew Stafford with the first pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.
Not that it was a certainty, but what if the Rams had then taken Stafford with the No. 2 pick? Instead, the Rams chose Baylor tackle Jason Smith, who was expected to replace Hall of Famer Orlando Pace. Smith famously flopped, his three years in St. Louis marked by injury and underperformance. Stafford, meanwhile, has been a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback for the past eight years and counting. Taking Stafford would’ve provided the Rams with a smooth transition from Marc Bulger and locked down the most important position for a decade. Who knows what would’ve come after? The Rams would’ve never drafted Sam Bradford, would’ve never had to move up to take Jared Goff. And they might not be coming off their 10th consecutive losing season.
Certainly, Stafford would’ve brought stability to the Rams’ quarterback position, and that would’ve been a big step toward reversing what has become 13 consecutive seasons without a winning record.
The Rams, however, have not had all that impressive a record in draft selections in recent years, and we’ve already seen Stafford’s effect on a franchise isn’t known for its outstanding draft history.
Stafford has passed for more than 30,000 yards for the Lions, but his career completion percentage is a so-so 61.5 percent. He has 187 touchdown passes and 108 interceptions, and he has led Detroit to three winning seasons since entering the league in ’09.
Los Angeles would not have taken Sam Bradford in 2010 and likely settled on Ndamukong Suh (ironically, both Stafford and Suh ended up in Detroit), and Suh left the Lions when he became a free agent. So while the Rams certainly would have been better than it has the past 13 years, would it have brought championships?
Unlikely.
The real question might be whether Stafford’s presence in St. Louis would’ve generated enough interest for the city and the team to upgrade the Edward Jones Dome or build a new stadium to keep the team there. That might’ve been the biggest concern about the Rams future.
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