SEC coaches dish on Stetson Bennett following 2023 NFL Draft

Everyone has told Stetson Bennett the same thing his entire life — he lacks size and can’t win at the next level. He’s made a career out of proving the doubters wrong, and two national championship later is heading the NFL as a fourth-round draft choice.

The Los Angeles Rams took the chance on the former Georgia star, who will turn 26 in October, with the 128th overall selection during the 2023 NFL Draft. Opinions on the selection have varied across the board, and it won’t stop until he proves his worth again at the next level.

“Stetson will be a good backup,” one SEC defensive coordinator said after the draft, via ESPN. “He’s going to be like Chase Daniel, just a journeyman, make a career of it in the NFL, or [former Rams backup] John Wolford.”

An SEC offensive coordinator added: “It’s the same thing with Brock Purdy a year ago. Stetson Bennett is a winner. I know measurables-wise, it doesn’t work.”

Over his last two seasons in Athens, Bennett threw for 6,990 yards and 56 touchdowns as he helped the Bulldogs become the new gold standard of college football. This past year, he set a new career high with 4,128 passing yards to go with 27 touchdowns in the air in addition to his 205 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground as part of the run game.

Bennett has drawn praise for his underrated mobility, as he rarely gets sacked and can do some real damange outside of the pocket. He has good timing on his throws and has proven his ability to look through progressions as a pro-style passer.

“I studied some defenses against Georgia and Stetson Bennett is dismissed as a game manager, but almost all the film shows him as the catalyst,” a Power 5 defensive coordinator said.

It’s hard to argue with the numbers Bennett has put up under center in Athens over the past two years. He is a proven winner, but many find it hard to see him as a full-time starting quarterback. With the Rams signing QB fellow Georgia alum Matthew Stafford to a deal through at least the 2025 season, Bennett will at least have to wait until then before he might get an actual shot at LA’s starting job.

Still, it’s almost certain that Bennett will get a fair share of snaps during the team’s preseason games . How he fares there will be how fans will evaluate him for his rookie season and beyond. As always, you only get to make one first impression.