How Rams could find eventual Matthew Stafford replacement in 2025 NFL Draft

While Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams agreed to a deal for the 2025 campaign, the two could part ways as soon as next offseason. 

Los Angeles' lack of a long-term option at QB is why ESPN's Field Yates named the Rams a "sleeper team" that could target a quarterback "in the first two rounds" of the 2025 NFL Draft.

"Stafford is still playing at a very high level at 37, and the Rams don't currently have a second-round pick," Yates explained. "On the other, Stafford's relationship with the organization is year-to-year at this point after his contract restructure." 

Yates added, "It would be logical for Los Angeles to at least consider a quarterback somewhere on Day 2." That said, it's not out of the question that the Rams could spend the 26th overall pick on a signal-caller if head coach Sean McVay becomes enamored with one he can get via that selection. 

Miami's Cam Ward, the consensus top quarterback in this year's class, will likely be the draft's first pick. What's unknown is if the Tennessee Titans will grab Ward at No. 1 or trade that asset to a different quarterback-needy club. 

Additionally, Yates is among those who think Colorado's Shedeur Sanders could slide to the New Orleans Saints at pick No. 9. This would result in Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart falling into the double digits, where he could be drafted by a team such as the Seattle Seahawks (No. 18) or Pittsburgh Steelers (No. 21). 

Even if Ward, Sanders and Dart are all off the board at No. 26, McVay and Co. could consider taking a flyer on Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe. On Thursday, Cleveland Browns insider Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland/The Land on Demand noted that Milroe's draft stock has risen to the point that he could be a late first-round choice on April 24, depending on when Dart is selected. 

The Rams have shown that they want to be able to move on from Stafford at any time with their actions over the past couple of offseasons. Thus, one would think the club will have to spend a quality asset to find his replacement sooner rather than later.