There is a growing sentiment among national NFL experts urging the Los Angeles Rams to use their 2026 1st-round pick to select a quarterback to replace Matthew Stafford eventually. Analysts Matt Miller and Mina Kimes have suggested that Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart could be an ideal fit for the Rams in 2025, provided he’s given time to develop on the bench.
ESPN Called Jaxson Dart The Los Angeles Rams’ Best Fit
“I’m in agreement with Matt that I really think the best fit for him is anywhere where he can sit for a year,” Kimes stated on “NFL Live.” She emphasized Dart’s need for development in areas such as decision-making and handling pressure, suggesting that a year of learning behind Stafford with the Rams would be highly beneficial. Kimes also noted that Ole Miss’s offensive scheme, heavily reliant on RPOs and play-action, differs significantly from NFL offenses. However, she acknowledged Dart’s inherent talent.
“Look, there are traits that I think explain why there is interest, first-round interest,” Kimes explained. “He has a live arm, for starters. He can make throws to all parts of the field, definitely NFL-caliber in terms of the talent there. And then, he’s a really good athlete. That’s something that jumped out to me watching the tape is his scrambling ability, running through the teeth of the defense, and toughness on display there as well.”
While Mel Kiper projected Dart as a top-10 pick, landing with the Saints at No. 9, Miller suggested he could fall to the Rams at No. 26. Miller views Dart as a potential successor to Stafford, allowing the Rams to prepare for their post-Stafford future.
“Dart could go as high as the top 10 depending on how the QB board settles early in the draft,” Miller said. “He’s an accurate thrower on intermediate routes with [an] underrated ability to layer the deep ball downfield. He’s also experienced, starting the past three seasons at Ole Miss after transferring from USC.”
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