Are the Rams Preparing to Draft Matthew Stafford’s Successor?
As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, one of the most talked-about prospects for the Los Angeles Rams is Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart. ESPN NFL analyst Mina Kimes and several other pundits have raised an interesting question: Could Dart be the Rams' future quarterback? According to Kimes, Dart's best chance to succeed at the next level would be to sit behind an experienced starter for a season or two before taking the reins. Plus, the Rams could be the perfect landing spot for Dart in this scenario, especially with Matthew Stafford’s long-term future still uncertain.
Kimes is among many experts who believe that Dart would greatly benefit from learning behind a veteran like Stafford for a year. “He has a lot to learn," Kimes said. "I would love for him, Dart, to end up with a team like the Rams where he can sit for a year because I do think it would help a great deal.” This sentiment is echoed by others, including former NFL general manager and current ESPN analyst Mike Tannenbaum, who has linked Dart to the Rams in his mock draft. Kimes and others see Dart as a potential fit for the Rams, who may be looking to groom a successor to Stafford soon.
The real question surrounding Dart’s draft prospects is where the Rams would select him. Many mock drafts have Dart going somewhere in the late first to early second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The Rams hold the 26th pick but may need to make a move to secure Dart, potentially trading up from the third round or trading back in the first to secure their future quarterback. Dart’s resume speaks for itself. The Ole Miss quarterback led the SEC with 4,279 passing yards and a 69.3% completion percentage in the 2024 season, throwing for 29 touchdowns and just six interceptions. However, as Kimes points out, Dart isn’t a perfect prospect. He has room to develop, particularly in terms of his fundamentals and ability to run an NFL offense.
That’s where the Rams come in. With Stafford still under contract but not necessarily locked in as the long-term solution, the Rams could use a young quarterback like Dart who can sit and learn behind the veteran for a year or more. This would allow Dart time to refine his skills before stepping into a starting role. However, the Rams also face a dilemma: Should they use the 26th overall pick on Dart when they could select a Day 1 contributor at other positions like cornerback, wide receiver, or linebacker? It’s an issue the Rams have faced in the past when quarterbacks were mocked to them, and many analysts are once again suggesting that the team look toward the future at the quarterback position.
There is no doubt that Dart is a talented player, but his game does come with some concerns. His arm strength is considered average, and he tends to process the game slowly. Additionally, Dart comes from an Ole Miss offense that heavily relied on RPOs, which limits his ability to read defenses and make more complex progressions — skills that will be necessary at the NFL level. While Dart has potential, some analysts argue that the Rams might be reaching by taking him at 26th, especially when the team is looking to compete now. If a player like Shedeur Sanders falls to them, that would make more sense, but Dart might not yet be ready to take the reins, even with the luxury of sitting behind Stafford.
