The Los Angeles Rams were the closest team to toppling the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2024 playoffs. Having signed wide receiver Davante Adams in free agency, the team has signaled its intent to continue competing for football’s biggest prize. Adams’s acquisition, though, was countered by the team releasing Rams legend Cooper Kupp, suggesting that the team has at least one eye on the future.
That also appears to be the view of ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., who has predicted that the Rams will be preparing to move on from another fan favorite as early as 2026. Kiper has the team drafting the heir apparent to Matthew Stafford in the first round of his latest 2025 Mock Draft.
Mel Kiper Jr. Predicts Jaxson Dart To the Rams in First Round
The Rams managed to find a compromise that keeps Stafford on the West Coast for at least the next year. Still, the team’s unwillingness to offer him the deal that he wanted suggests a lack of long-term faith. Sean McVay would no doubt love to keep Stafford around forever, but at 37 years old, it’s almost inevitable that his time in Los Angeles is soon to expire.
Kiper’s Mock Draft has the team selecting Ole Miss product Jaxson Dart in the first round, officially putting Stafford on the clock. Kiper sees a lot of potential in Dart and suggests that the Rams setup is the perfect place for him to develop.
“I love this pick because of the potential. 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. 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. And this pick would bring him back to the West Coast — Dart spent 2021 at USC before transferring to Ole Miss.
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.”
Latest PFSN Mock Draft Matches Rams With a Cornerback After Steelers Take Dart
The latest three-round Mock Draft from PFSN’s Reese Decker, meanwhile, has the Pittsburgh Steelers taking Dart, with question marks remaining over the team’s pursuit of Aaron Rodgers. That leads to the Rams selecting Dart’s Ole Miss teammate Trey Amos with the 26th overall pick.
“Amos is a smooth, confident defender with natural instincts and patience. He consistently positions himself well and makes decisive breaks on the ball. His above-average ball skills allow him to play with control and discipline, minimizing penalties.
With a 4.43 40 time, he has the speed to match up against most receivers and brings physicality in run support. Adding Amos to a cornerback room that already features Darious Williams and Ahkello Witherspoon would provide much-needed depth and stability to the secondary.”
The Rams were middling in many aspects on defense in 2024, but only four teams gave up more yards per pass attempt throughout the season. The team did an incredible job of balancing their winning agenda with the need to get younger in 2024; a similarly successful draft in 2025 would set the team up very well for the future.