The Los Angeles Rams are a contending team but also must prepare for life without Matthew Stafford at some point. Can they manage both in the 2025 NFL Draft? The Rams started the 2024 NFL Season with a poor 1-4 record, but it was a brutal amount of injuries that contributed to the poor start. They finished with a 10-7 record and won the NFC West, so it's clear that this team would have secured a top seed in the NFC had they not endured a ton of injuries.
Beyond that, the team does have an aging but still effective QB in Matthew Stafford. Not only do the Rams have to prepare for life without Stafford at some point, but they also have some notable needs right now and could still make another playoff run if they came away with the right class.
Would this LA Rams 2025 NFL Mock Draft build for the present and future?
Rams NFL Mock Draft: Team shockingly takes Matthew Stafford replacement
26. Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss
At pick 26, the Los Angeles Rams take Jaxson Dart from Ole Miss. Dart could sit behind Stafford for a year or two and essentially 'watch and learn.' Stafford and head coach Sean McVay are two of the best in the business and won a Super Bowl together back in the 2021 NFL Season. Stafford is surely also smart enough to understand that he doesn't have a ton of time left in the NFL and that the Rams are going to prepare for his departure at some point.
Earlier this offseason, it did seem like the Rams and Stafford would have both been content parting ways, but they're back for at least one more season. Jaxson Dart is the QB-in-waiting.
90. Elijah Arroyo, TE, Miami (FL)
With their second pick in this mock draft, the Rams try to get more explosive at tight end and take Elijah Arroyo from Miami (FL). LA does have an above-average personnel group on offense but are missing some juice at tight end.
A playmaking group consisting of Arroyo, Kyren Williams, Puka Nacua, and Davante Adams is quite dangerous, and it'd be plenty good enough for Sean McVay to field an elite offense alongside Matthew Stafford.
The Rams try to reshape their offense for the future with their first two picks in this mock draft.
101. Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Virginia Tech
An explosive running back who could help take the load off of Kyren Williams and also contribute to an elite backfield, Bhayshul Tuten is the Rams pick with the 101st overall selection in this mock draft. Williams is still just 24 years old and has ran for at least 1,100 yards in two-straight seasons, but he's never played a full season through his three years in the NFL.
A backfield of Tuten and Williams would be outstanding and a huge problem for opposing defenses.
127. Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State
Jack Sawyer could be yet another stud defensive line player that the LA Rams grab in the NFL Draft. They have totally rebuilt their DL over the last several seasons, and it's now one of the best, youngest, and most explosive in the entire NFL. Hats off to Les Snead for this, but the work along the DL is not done.
190. Jay Higgins, LB, Iowa
Desperately needing some linebacker help, the Rams could honestly take Alabama LB Jihaad Campbell in the first round, but they grab Jay Higgins from Iowa at pick 190. The team's defense might truly only be missing an enforcer at ILB, so perhaps Higgins late in the 2025 NFL Draft could be that for them.
195. Cam Jackson, DT, Florida
Adding some depth along the defensive line, the LA Rams grab Cam Jackson from Florida at pick 195. They could try to copy the Philadelphia Eagles a bit and always have some fresh bodies along the DL. The Rams shoring up the trenches would be a great idea to get the most out of the rest of the Matthew Stafford era.
201. Cody Lindenberg, LB, Minnesota
Double-dipping at ILB in the later rounds, the Rams grab Cody Lindenberg from Minnesota and hope that a couple late-round picks at the position could yield at least one notable starter.
202. Jaylin Smith, CB, USC
The Rams finish off this 2025 NFL Mock Draft by taking Jaylin Smith, a cornerback from USC. In this mock draft, their final five selections were on the defensive side of the ball, clearly indicating that GM Les Snead wants to take this unit to the next level in 2025 and beyond.