5 undrafted rookies who can change the Rams in their rookie season

When it comes to the Los Angeles Rams, the scouting department is particularly gifted at combing the countryside for the best and most intriguing rookie prospects to sign to the roster after the annual NFL Draft. And the 2025 class of undrafted collegiate free agents is particularly noteworthy. We have just entered May 2025, and there is a rising volume surrounding two undrafted free agents.

The first is 5-foot-10, 270-pound interior offensive lineman Willie Lampkin, whose only flaw is giving up four or more inches to his opponent and teammates. Yet when you study his film, he looks very much at home as a blocker. Lamkin's size has inspired one draft analyst to suggest that he take an unorthodox approach and cross-train to become an NFL fullback. While the Rams seem to be the most unlikely team to pursue that objective, it is intriguing.

And then there is the indescribable production of the University of Buffalo's ILB Shaun Dolac. At 6-foot-1 and 225 pounds, many teams simply did not hold the opinion that he was a sure-fire NFL contributor. But after putting up 168 tackles, 6.5 quarterback sacks, and 5.0 interceptions in 2024 alone, the Rams are interested enough to want to see more. If DC Chris Shula can unlock his unique blend of athleticism for the defense, he will cement his legacy as a defensive genius.

But there is plenty more where that came from. The 2025 NFL Draft was a smorgasbord of rookie football talent. As is often the case, many NFL teams filled up on the early entrees. But Rams GM Les Snead left enough room for desserts. So, what sweet treats does Snead have in store for Rams fans this time? Let's find out together...

(5) - DT Bill Norton

If you want a run-stuffing defense, it all starts up front. And to counter the team's wllingness to sign 5-foot-11 NT Poon Ford, the Rams set the dial in the opposite direction. Say hello to the man-mountain nose tackle Bill Norton, who played for the University of Texas, stands 6-foot-6, and weighs a staggering 335 pounds of power and muscle.

Amazingly, Norton was a four-year teammate of Rams backup QB Stetson Bennett. He transferred to Arizona in 2023 and to Texas in 2024. His best statistical season was 2023, when he put up 32 tackles, three tackles for a loss, and deflected three passes. Norton is big and powerful, he just needs more coaching to harness and focus all that raw football athleticism into great production on game day.

Norton's best football is not the stuff that statistics capture. He can occupy two or three offensive linemen to a standstill, allowing his teammates free access to make plays. He welcomes the dirty work in the trenches. The Rams' defensive front is blessed with more playmakers than the team knows what to do with. Bill Norton is like a raw and inexperienced Bobby Brown III. Given time, coaching, and opportunity, he can be a keystone to a much better run defense in 2025.

(4) - RB Jordan Waters

The Los Angeles Rams added a big running back in NC State RB Jordan Waters. Standing 6-foot-0 and weighing 215 pounds, he is nothing like the clones who filled the running back room in 2024. While the team is not exactly famous for thinking outside of the box when it comes to rookies on offense, Waters is the type of player who could effectively persuade them to do so.

The Rams are not exactly known to boast a power back in their offensive array. Try as it might, the Rams' front office keeps adding a bigger-bodied rusher who seems to last no longer than one season. From Sony Michel, to Malcolm Brown, to Royce Freeman, to Zach Evans, the team seems to lose interest in bigger rushers after a season. And that may be what awaits Jordan Waters.

But Waters is not simply a move-the-pile type of running back. He is a versatile offensive weapon who can gain yards on the ground, through the air, and even boasts the type of skillset that could lend itself to impressive production on special teams. Historically, the Rams' big-bodied rushers were a bit of a one-dimensional offensive weapon. But Waters is every bit as dangerous as a receiver. In a very deep running back class, Waters was ranked as the seventh-best RB receiver in this draft.

He hauled in 40 of 51 targets for 412 yards. He scored two touchdowns, moved the chains 24 times, and put up 120 yards after initial contact. He was not drafted, but he does bring an entirely new dimension to the Rams' offense.

(3) - WR Tru Edwards

The Rams' wide receiver room loves guys who are 6-foot-1. So the addition of 6-foot-3, 201-pound wide receiver Tru Edwards is the start of a brand new chapter for the Rams offense in 2025. Is he worth getting to know? You bet he is. A four-year receiver for Louisiana Tech, he exploded in 2024 for 84 receptions, 986 yards, and six touchdowns.

He also leveraged his 4.59-second 40-yard dash time for special teams, showing up as both a punt and kickoff returner. In 2025, the Rams' focus on same-size performers appears to be put to the test. The Rams had four nearly identical wide receivers in Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, Demarcus Robinson, and Tyler Robinson. In 2025, that cookie-cutter approach has been abandoned.

The Rams signed veteran WR Davante Adams. While he stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 215 pounds, Adams is unique as he creates separation as soon as the football is snapped. The team drafted 5-foot-11, 186-pound WR Konata Mumpfield. After the draft, the team added 5-foot-9, 178-pound WR Mario Williams and 5-foot-8, 174-pound WR Brennan Presley. But towering over them all is 6-foot-3 Tru Edwards.

Edwards offers the same size and versatility as former Rams WR Ben Skowronek. Will that translate into an opportunity to remain on the team's 53-man roster? He will have to earn it, but if he does, he will bring an entirely new chapter for this offense.

(2) - OT Trey Wedig

The Rams love to optimize their roster value by leveraging undrafted rookie offensive linemen to coach up into starting roles. Starting left tackle Alaric Jackson saved the team 10s of millions of dollars by earning the starting job at left tackle, allowing the team to spend those millions elsewhere. Now, the introduction of outstanding offensive tackle Trey Wedig allows the team to coach him up to compete as the successor to veteran right tackle Rob Havenstein's job.

Wedig is a Wisconsin offensive tackle who finished out his final season at Indiana. Viewed as a right tackle, the 6-foot-6, 310-pound Wedig was projected as a Day 3 rookie selection. In 421 pass blocks in 2024, he surrendered two quarterback sacks and one quarterback hit.

Wedig arrives raw, which is to be expected for an undrafted offensive tackle. He needs to refine his handwork, footwork, and muscle up in the gym. But he is quite coachable, has excellent football IQ, and brings a respectable college experience to bear in the NFL. All that is needed is a coaching staff to harness and refine his natural talents and skills.

With Wedig aboard, the Rams have far more flexibility to work with their other offensive tackles. Warren McClendon Jr. KT Leveston, and A.J. Arcuri are not necessarily out of the running. It's simply that competition just ramped up significantly

(1) - IOL Ben Dooley

Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty was the talk of the 2025 NFL Draft. But 6-foot-5, 320-pound interior offensive lineman Ben Dooley was responsible for opening up those running lanes. That's the piece that all too many NFL general managers fail to grasp during and following the draft. But the Rams seem to follow the breadcrumbs from elite rookies back to the supporting cast.

The addition of Coleman Shelton infuses solid depth at center. The exodus of Jonah Jackson diluted the team's depth at offensive guard, now relying on the return of undrafted rookie IOL Justin Dedich to cover two positions. But the team has signed IOL Willie Lampkin, Wyatt Bowles, and Ben Dooley, all bring something to the roster.

But Dooley's production is more than at the offensive line. His contribution elevated the performance of the running back.

The Los Angeles Rams' current center, Coleman Shelton, was undrafted. Left tackle Alaric Jackson was undrafted. Effective offensive linemen in the NFL do not fall under the same rules as other NFL positions. They require the ability to interlock and overlap the skills of teammates to be effective. It's that reason that tips over the apple cart when injury befalls one or more players.

Dooley is an NFL-ready competitor whose skill set is good across all aspects. Unfortunately, NFL GMs fixate on rookies who excel in some qualities. As such, Dooley was not able to break through to hear his name during the draft. But he did sign with the Rams, and the Rams have an impressive track record of developing starters from the ranks of undrafted rookies.

With OTAs and training camp ahead, there is plenty of work for the Rams' rookies. But that is par for the course, as they have put in immeasurable hours just to get to this point. It all makes for great competition.

As always, thanks for reading.

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