Rams Quarterback Prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft

Are Jaxson Dart and Louisville’s Tyler Shough on the Rams Radar?

Rams Quarterback Prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft: As the Los Angeles Rams navigate the early stages of the 2025 offseason, the quarterback position remains a focal point of intrigue. Matthew Stafford, the grizzled veteran who led the Rams to a Super Bowl triumph in 2022, is back for another season following a contract restructure. Yet, with Stafford now 37 and his long-term future uncertain, the Rams find themselves at a pivotal juncture. The latest buzz, as reported by Heavy.com, links Los Angeles to two promising quarterback prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft: Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart and Louisville’s Tyler Shough. This potential draft strategy underscores a broader question: how will the Rams balance their present competitiveness with their future stability?

Stafford’s Resilience and the Rams’ Present

Matthew Stafford’s return to the Rams in 2025 was far from a foregone conclusion. After a 2024 season marked by flashes of brilliance and persistent injury concerns, Stafford and the organization engaged in weeks of negotiation, with the quarterback even exploring his market value elsewhere. Ultimately, a restructured contract kept him in Los Angeles, pairing him with new offensive weapon Davante Adams and maintaining the Rams’ status as NFC West contenders. Stafford’s 2024 performance demonstrated he can still sling it with the best, a testament to his enduring skill set.

However, age and wear and tear are undeniable factors. Stafford’s relationship with the Rams is now described as “year-to-year,” a pragmatic acknowledgment that his tenure may be nearing its twilight. For a franchise that has thrived on bold moves under head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead, planning for life after Stafford is not just prudent—it’s essential.

The 2025 Draft: A Tale of Two Prospects

Enter the 2025 NFL Draft, where the Rams hold the No. 26 overall pick in the first round and No. 90 in the third. While their immediate need at quarterback is tempered by Stafford’s presence, the Heavy.com report highlights two names generating buzz in Rams circles: Jaxson Dart and Tyler Shough. Each brings a distinct profile, offering Los Angeles different paths to secure their future quarterback.

Jaxson Dart: The Rising Star
Jaxson Dart’s 2024 campaign at Ole Miss was nothing short of electric. The quarterback threw for 4,279 yards, 29 touchdowns, and just 6 interceptions, completing 69.3% of his passes. His ascent mirrors that of Denver Broncos rookie Bo Nix, who defied second-round projections to become the No. 12 overall pick in 2024 and led Denver to their first playoff berth since 2015. Dart’s combination of accuracy, poise, and playmaking ability has scouts salivating, though his draft stock remains fluid. Some project him as a first-round talent, potentially out of reach for the Rams at No. 26 unless Snead works his trade-up magic—a tactic he’s employed before.

A BEAUTY of a throw from Jaxson Dart for the TD 🤩 pic.twitter.com/z14x73dNLd

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) January 3, 2025

Dart’s appeal lies in his readiness to step into an NFL offense. His college stats suggest a quarterback who can manage games while delivering explosive plays, a profile that could thrive in McVay’s system. However, the Rams face a dilemma: if Dart’s stock rises too high, as Nix’s did, they might miss out—or be forced to overpay.

ESPN's Field Yates picked the Rams as a sleeper team that could draft a QB on Day 1 or 2, mentioning Tyler Shough as someone who's a little bit like Matthew Stafford https://t.co/4IOdxInPLU

— Cameron DaSilva (@camdasilva) March 21, 2025

Tyler Shough: The Sleeper with Stafford Vibes
If Dart represents the high-upside gamble, Tyler Shough offers a more measured, developmental option. The Louisville signal-caller posted a career-best 2024 season, completing 62.7% of his passes for 3,195 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. At 6’5” and 219 pounds, Shough boasts a prototypical NFL frame, and his ability to throw from various angles into tight windows has drawn comparisons to Stafford himself, as noted by ESPN’s Field Yates.

Shough’s journey, however, is less straightforward. A seven-year college veteran who turns 26 in 2025, he’s battled injuries at Texas Tech and Oregon before finding his stride at Louisville. His 4.63-second 40-yard dash at the Combine raised eyebrows, and his arm strength shone during throwing drills. Yet, his age and injury history temper expectations, positioning him as a likely Day 2 pick—potentially within the Rams’ grasp at No. 90.

The Broncos Blueprint: Lessons from Bo Nix

Tyler Shough draws a compelling parallel between Dart’s trajectory and that of Bo Nix, whose historic rookie season in Denver offers a blueprint for the Rams. Nix’s success under Sean Payton—transforming from a mid-round prospect to a franchise cornerstone—underscores the value of identifying and developing quarterback talent. For Los Angeles, the question is whether Dart could replicate that leap or if Shough’s experience and Stafford-like traits make him a safer bet to groom as a successor.

The Broncos’ approach also highlights the importance of timing. Denver struck while Nix’s stock was still ascending, avoiding the premium cost of a top-10 pick. The Rams, with Stafford buying them time, could adopt a similar strategy—targeting a quarterback in 2025 who can sit and learn rather than forcing an immediate starter.

Strategic Implications for the Rams

Drafting a quarterback in 2025 doesn’t signal an end to Stafford’s tenure but rather a proactive step to ensure continuity. McVay’s offense thrives on precision and creativity, qualities both Dart and Shough exhibit in different ways. Dart could be the heir apparent, ready to take the reins in 2026 or 2027, while Shough might serve as a high-upside backup, stepping in if Stafford’s health falters.

The Rams’ roster construction supports this dual-timeline approach. With Puka Nacua emerging as a star, Kyren Williams anchoring the run game, and Adams adding veteran polish, the offense is built to succeed now and adapt later. Defensively, young talents like Braden Fiske, Jared Verse, and Kobie Turner provide a foundation that a rookie quarterback could lean on.

The Road Ahead

The NFL Combine has concluded, and pro days loom on the horizon. The Rams’ front office will have ample opportunity to evaluate Dart, Shough, and others up close. Snead’s history of bold trades—think Jared Goff for Stafford or last year’s move for Fiske—suggests he won’t hesitate to maneuver if the right quarterback is in sight. Alternatively, standing pat and letting Stafford ride out his career remains an option, albeit a riskier one.

Former coach Charlie Weiss, quoted in the Heavy.com piece, sums it up: “Finding the right QB to lead your team in the NFL is a complex process.” For the Rams, that process is underway. Whether it’s Dart’s star potential or Shough’s Stafford-esque grit, Los Angeles is poised to make a move that could define their next decade. In a league where quarterback transitions can make or break a franchise, the Rams are playing both the short game and the long game—hoping to strike gold once more.

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