NFL insider opens door for Rams to draft surprising Matthew Stafford successor

When it comes to what the Los Angeles Rams plan to do in any given NFL draft, the lone NFL Insider who seems to truly have a connection to the team is now ESPN's Peter Schrager. If you recall, it was Schrager who hit the bullseye with his early prediction that the Rams would try to trade up to select Georgia TE prospect Brock Bowers in the 2024 NFL Draft.

No other NFL Insider was nearly as accurate or as robust in the details as Schrager. But this was not speculation after the fact. All NFL fans were impressed when live footage of the 2024 NFL Draft revealed that the team was very much trying to trade up to select Bowers. The Rams ultimately had to stand pat and select Florida State outside linebacker Jared Verse, who would earn himself the 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year honor.s.

So all's well that ends well.

In that chain of events, Schrager proved that he has unique insight into what's behind the curtain for the Rams. That insight is due to the long-standing friendship of Rams HC Sean McVay and Schrager since he was an offensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders. So there is every reason for Rams fans to sit up and take notice as the Rams near the annual NFL Draft. As social media explodes with misinformation and false narratives meant to alter the narrative, Schrager drops bread crumbs as to what the Los Angeles Rams may do in the draft.

And yes, this is something you ought to sit down for.

Before an explosion of insults and emotions sweeps over the speculation of Peter Schrager talking about the LA Rams in this passage, let's calmly approach the topic objectively. What little do we know about Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe?

(1) - He has accepted an invitation to the 2025 NFL Draft

Many NFL fans are still in denial, but Alabama rookie quarterback prospect Jalen Milroe accepted his invitation to the 2025 NFL Draft. That is a rather strong indication that at least one NFL team plans to call out his name in Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft. After all, the NFL has strongly discouraged teams from endorsing invitations to rookie prospects just to fool other NFL teams as to their true intentions.

Which team is likely in the market for Jalen Milroe? The invitation was sent long before news of New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr and his shoulder injury was reported. Initially, only Miami quarterback Cam Ward was viewed as a quarterback to be selected in Round 1. But developing events suggest that Ward, Shedeur Sanders, Jaxson Dart, and Jalen Milroe could be selected in Round 1.

Even more confounding is that the Rams could be one of the teams selecting a rookie quarterback in Round 1.

(2) - He has met with Rams multiple times

The Los Angeles Rams are rather tight-lipped over their intentions to target specific players in any NFL Draft. But we have worked tirelessly to stay as up to date as possible with any news of rookies visiting Rams representatives. Our 2025 pre-draft tracker holds information about 28 (or more) rookies who have spent time with Rams representatives, either in an informal session during their pro day or the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, or in video or face-to-face meetings.

The Rams have met with Alabama rookie quarterback prospect Jalen Milroe multiple times. For the Rams front office, that is a bit out of the norm.

What makes Milroe so special? After all, many draft analysts have him as a solid Day 2 quarterback in their most optimistic assessment of his talent. But a Round 1 pick is the type of prospect who fits the bill as a true plug-and-play rookie. Is Milroe a plug-and-play rookie?

Well, he stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 217 pounds. He is a dual-threat quarterback, an offensive weapon that can demolish defenses with his arm and his legs. And his college production, while not screaming NFL starter just yet, certainly lobbies hard for a potential dangerous weapon in an NFL team's offensive arsenal. In four seasons of college football, Milroe threw for 45 touchdowns, while running for 33 touchdowns. The Rams have long sought a quarterback with Milroe's pedigree who could threaten defenses like that.

(3) - The Rams are in the market for a rookie quarterback in this draft

The Los Angeles Rams are not naive. This is a team that bolstered the coaching staff over the past two years for just such an occasion. But the staff reached its apex at the start of the 2024 NFL season as the team was able to respond to then-second-year quarterback Stetson Bennett's needs over training camp. Despite his year-long hiatus, Bennett's come-from-behind success in two preseason games proved that his competitive edge was honed once more.

And with the contractual gyrations with starting quarterback Matthew Stafford finally settling on a series of one-year deals, the Rams have all but painted themselves into the market for a true successor to Stafford now, not later.

So, why didn't the Rams join the rest of the herd of NFL teams to vie for a rookie quarterback in 2024? The Rams do not follow the herd mindset. And the results prove why. The Rams emerged from Rounds 1 and 2 with two rookies who were very much in the hunt for DROY.

The Rams love to uncover special players who other NFL teams overlook. With everyone focused on defensive linemen, tight ends, and running backs in the 2025 NFL Draft, there are ample prospects in other positions who are simply falling through the cracks. That is where the Rams front office loves to find and develop a steady stream of diamonds in the rough.

(4) - Peter Schrager has proven insight as to Rams strategy

As I had mentioned before, Peter Schrager has proven to have his finger on the pulse of the Rams' inner workings. The consensus for the 2024 NFL Draft was almost deafening, as the team was trying to rebound from the news of All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald's retirement. The need for the team to enter the draft was obvious. The Rams needed to address the gaping vacancies of Donald's presence along the defensive front and his unstoppable pass rush.

Amid the hurricane, Schrager pointed in the opposite direction. He claimed that the Rams, already sitting on three tight ends, were focused on trading up in the 2024 NFL Draft for Georgia TE Brock Bowers. The suggestion defied all logic. The Rams' defense was desperate for help. The Rams' offense had already added veteran TE Colby Parkinson to the roster for a greater-than-expected contract and compensation.

And yet, Schrager was proven correct by irrefutable video footage from the Rams draft headquarters. So it falls to reason that Schrager has a pipeline of information that gives him insight into the Rams' draft plans. While Rams fans may not love the idea of the Rams being linked to rookie QB Jalen Milroe, it's something to sit up and take notice of.

(5) - Schrager's description of Jalen Milroe fits the Rams scenario to a tee

Peter Schrager has been at this a while. And his description of why rookie QB prospect Jalen Milroe could be selected by an NFL team is a measured and deliberate use of the English language. So, what does he say about Jalen Milroe? Just this:

"That is the kind of deal where you have a starter already, and then you put Milroe in for some subset packages, and then in two or three years, who knows? Jalen Milroe is your guy, and he has been learning for a year, and of course, he can run the ball. He ran a 4.3 (second) 40 (-yard dash) at his pro day. And he has got an awesome arm, and he is a winner. And he is about it. He is a great, great leader. "

ESPN Peter Schrager

While I'm not a fan of the Rams leaping into the fray for a quarterback market in Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft, I can see the logic of the move. The Rams know that they need a successor for veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford sooner rather than later. While some suggest the Rams hold off until 2026 or (as I might recommend) at a later point in this year's draft, if the Rams are fixated on Jalen Milroe for good reason, then there are no compelling reasons to wait.

If the Rams are convinced that Jalen Milroe is the guy, then they are obligated to get him. The truth is that the Rams have the luxury of spending a Round 1 pick on a rookie quarterback, and still sustaining the integrity of adding ample talent to the Rams roster in this draft.

The Rams are going to do what the Rams are going to do. Whether or not the Rams select QB Jalen Milroe or any quarterback in Round 1 is entirely up to Rams GM Les Snead. And if not in Round 1, I expect the team to select a quarterback at some point in time in this draft.

The Rams seem to have a solid process that affords them the understanding of a true value to invest in rookies to add them to the roster. Many thought NT Kobie Turner was a reach in 2023. He proved to be a bargain. Many thought the Rams overpaid for DT Braden Fiske in 2024. Again, he proved to be a bargain. Let's not rush to judge and hate the Rams' selection in Round 1 if it doesn't go the way we expect.

Jalen Milroe may not be your choice at the 26th overall pick, but he could be the rookie selected by the Rams at that spot. And if he truly gets playing time in a series of offensive sub-packages, this could be a huge upgrade for the Rams' offense in 2025.

As always, thanks for reading.

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