Earlier projected at No. 21 to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Ole Miss Rebels QB1 Jaxson Dart looked destined for the AFC North. An ideal match for a team searching for an athletic, big-armed prospect with the mental and physical toughness to anchor a post-Pickett era. Dart’s late climb in the pre-draft process had Steelers brass buzzing, and it wasn’t just smoke. The fit made sense. But then, the NFL’s pre-draft wheel of fortune spun again. Dart’s name, once etched next to black and gold, suddenly surfaced in another conversation—one surrounded by palm trees and Hollywood lights. The Los Angeles Rams entered the picture, and with that, the QB carousel took a dramatic turn.

The Rams are far from quarterback-hungry on the surface. Matthew Stafford, who inked a 4-year, $160 million contract extension with the Rams, is still in Los Angeles and absolutely playing at a high level. But there’s an expiration date on even the most battle-tested arms, and Stafford—who turns 37 this season—is clearly closer to his curtain call than his encore. L.A. has already made its bold offseason splash by trading Cooper Kupp to Seattle and pulling in DeVante Adams, a signal that they’re balancing win-now urgency with long-term vision. That’s what makes this Dart connection so compelling. The Rams aren’t looking for a rookie to play tomorrow—they’re eyeing a QB who can inherit the keys to Sean McVay’s offense after a year of studying the playbook and the master behind center.

Mike Tannenbaum broke it down on NFL on ESPN: “Yeah, Field. I’m going to go with Jaxson Dart. I’m going QB. What do good organizations do? They’re opportunistic. Matt Stafford is year to year. They didn’t hit on Stetson Bennett. What a great situation to get a young athletic quarterback like Jaxson Dart, who really thrived in Lane Kiffin’s offense. Let him sit for a year behind Matt Stafford and then hit the ground running in 2026.” Tannenbaum’s pitch wasn’t just analysis—it was a blueprint. And while his ESPN segment stunned some Steelers fans, it might be the clearest signal yet that Jaxson Dart’s value is being viewed through a long-game lens.

Letting Dart simmer behind Stafford for a season (or two) makes sense on every level. The Rams’ current roster is still good enough to contend, and the NFC West remains wide open with uncertainty in Arizona and Seattle. But they know they can’t gamble on Bennett again, and McVay won’t want to restart the dart-hunt in 2026 with no plan in place. Jaxson Dart, with his cannon of an arm and ability to throw off-platform, fits the McVay mold. Think Goff with better mobility or a younger Stafford with fresh legs and zip. What stands out is his command of the pocket and knack for processing quickly. That’s half the battle in L.A.’s high-tempo offense.

It’s not just his traits. Dart has real college production to back up the buzz. In 2023, he put together 4,279 passing yards, tossed 29 touchdowns, and only threw six interceptions. His knack for hitting receivers on the run is straight-up textbook for today’s QBs. But that extra bit of magic—the way he can keep plays alive without just ditching the pocket to scramble—that’s what makes him a real fit for a system that values timing but also loves a little creativity.

Still, the fact that the Rams haven’t given Stafford a long-term commitment tells its own story. They love what he brings, but they’re thinking beyond 2025. Stafford can still win games, but the front office knows windows don’t stay open forever.

Mel Kiper Jr. also sees Jaxson Dart as Rams’ heir to Stafford

Could the Rams finally be eyeing their QB of the future? ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. is the latest to think so. In his 2025 mock draft, Kiper has L.A. using the No. 26 overall pick on Rebs QB Jaxson Dart, a move that could set the table for life after Matthew Stafford.

“I love this pick because of the potential,” Kiper said, sounding all-in on Dart’s upside. “Rams coach Sean McVay could develop Dart into a legit future starter.” And let’s be honest—Stafford isn’t getting any younger. The 37-year-old gunslinger recently restructured his contract, keeping him in L.A. for at least one more season. But as Kiper puts it, “the Rams have to make plans for 2026 and beyond.”

Dart brings plenty to the table. His arm strength pops off the screen; he can hit strike zones “on a rope,” and he’s got that off-script playmaking ability coaches love. Plus, his experience running Lane Kiffin’s RPO-heavy offense at Ole Miss gives him a fun, adaptable style. “His ability to throw on the run is fun to watch,” Kiper added.

With Kyren Williams, Puka Nacua, and Davante Adams around him, Dart could be walking into a dream setup. That makes two big ESPN analysts projecting Dart to the Rams.