The Los Angeles Rams remain committed to Matthew Stafford as their starting quarterback heading into the 2025 campaign, but the hunt for his eventual replacement is already on.
Stafford has two years remaining on his current contract and will play next season at 37 years old. The Rams don’t have a high draft pick after making the playoffs and winning a round on the road over the Minnesota Vikings. However, L.A. does own the 26th overall pick, which Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN recently predicted the franchise will use to select quarterback Jaxson Dart of Ole Miss.
“Rams coach Sean McVay could develop Dart into a legit future starter. Of course, I say ‘future’ because Matthew Stafford’s contract restructure keeps him in Los Angeles for at least another season,” Kiper wrote. “But he’s 37 years old, and the Rams have to make plans for 2026 and beyond. Dart can hit receivers’ strike zones on a rope, and his ability to throw on the run is fun to watch. He had 4,279 passing yards, 29 TD throws and six interceptions last season.”
“Given a season to learn under Stafford and transition to the NFL game after playing in Lane Kiffin’s RPO-happy offense, Dart has a high ceiling in the pros,” Kiper continued.
Dart is the third quarterback off of the board in Kiper’s latest mock draft, following Shedeur Sanders to the New Orleans Saints at No. 9 and Cam Ward to the Tennessee Titans at No. 1.
Kiper projects that the Cleveland Browns will select Tyler Shough with the first pick in the second round (No. 33 overall), and that the New York Giants will take Jalen Milroe at No. 34.
