Oregon State’s Sean Mannion Drafted By The St. Louis Rams

The St. Louis Rams addressed their “quarterback of the future” needs with Sean Mannion.

According to NBC Sports, the St. Louis Rams are busy revamping their offense, this time by drafting former Oregon State quarterback Sean Mannion in the third round of this year’s NFL Draft.

Mannion, who stands six-feet, six-inches and 229 pounds, is expected to compete with incumbent Rams backup Austin Davis for that backup role. Nick Foles, newly acquired from the Philaldelphia Eagles in a trade that sent Sam Bradford to Philadelphia, will assume the starting role for the Rams. Foles and Davis are playing in their final contract years. Signing Mannion gives them some insurance for the future.

Mannion ended his collegiate career by throwing for 13,600 yards with 83 touchdowns and 54 interceptions in four collegiate seasons, completing 64.6 percent of his throws.

OregonLive is reporting that Mannion was at his parent’s house in Silverton, Oregon, waiting for the call. During Thursday’s first round of the NFL draft, there was no mention of Mannion. Friday was shaping up to be similar. Mannion, being calm and collected, sat eating coffee cake, washing it down with Gatorade, water, or Starbucks. For four long hours, picks were coming and going, Mannion calmly waited, like he knew it was going to end, just not sure when.

Then, around 7:45 p.m., Mannion stood up, and his phone began ringing. Mannion knew his wait was over. On the phone was St. Louis general manager Les Snead and head coach Jeff Fisher, asking Mannion if he would like to become the newest member of the Rams. Mannion, of course, accepted. Then, it was time to party.

Mannion was officially selected in the third round with the 89th overall pick.

“It’s just starting to hit me, really,” Mannion said about 30 minutes after being selected. “It all happened so fast. You’re waiting for I don’t know how long. You’re just waiting, waiting, waiting. And then suddenly you get a call, and you’re an NFL player.”

The Rams seemed to be the frontrunners to pick Mannion. He granted a formal interview with the Rams during the NFL combine in Indianapolis, and held a private pro day with Snead, Fisher, Rams offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti, and quarterbacks coach Chris Weinke.

Mannion now joins a most intriguing team. They did trade their former “franchise quarterback” in Sam Bradford for Nick Foles. The Rams also drafted former Georgia running back Todd Gurley in the first round at the number 10 position. Gurley, considered the top running back prospect, is coming off an ACL injury. His timetable to return is not as yet fully set. In a few years, Mannion could be handing off to Gurley for the Rams.

Whatever happens, Mannion is now a pro. Now, the real work begins.

[Image courtesy of Rant Sports]