The ink on the 2025 NFL Draft cards is barely dry, but eyes have begun to look toward 2026 for the next crop of NFL stars.
For the Los Angeles Rams, that could mean a new quarterback. L.A. has two first-round picks and an aging passing in Matthew Stafford.
Whether or not the Rams draft Stafford’s replacement is still almost a year away, but ESPN’s Jordan Reid believes that the best prospect to takeover for the current Rams quarterback is LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier. Reid wrote that the Rams could trade up from whichever pick is higher (most likely the Atlanta Falcons’ selection) to secure Nussmeier.
“Here’s Matthew Stafford’s heir apparent. Stafford will turn 38 before the 2026 season, so this is a great spot for the Rams to pick Nussmeier, whose 79.1 QBR ranked 11th in the FBS in 2024,” Reid wrote. “Nussmeier’s arm is more flexible than powerful, and his anticipation skills result in some of the most exciting throws I’ve seen on tape. Interceptions are an issue — he threw multiple picks in four games last season — but he could be a first-round pick if he cleans those up.”
Nussmeier is projected to be one of the top quarterback prospects in 2026, alongside Texas’ Arch Manning and South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers. The entire 2026 college season has yet to be started, though, so this projection is based purely off Nussmeier’s current tape and what he could do in 2025.
Whatever happens, the Rams will likely be looking at next year’s class throughout this season to see if anyone jumps out. Nussmeier has the measurables and the traits to fit well in Sean McVay’s offense, and now the Rams have the draft capital to make a move if they want to draft a quarterback early.
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