6 explosive prospects that Rams must target in the 2025 NFL Draft

The consensus right now is that the Los Angeles Rams offense needs explosive playmakers. However, defining the characteristics of an explosive playmaker is a bit more divisive and elusive. It's not that nobody has an idea of what those NFL players need to qualify for the category. It's simply that, when held up to the light, those characteristics seem to run counter to what the team's front office plans to do with the roster.

If you categorize explosive offensive playmakers around the concept of speed, you are looking for a fast 40-yard-dash time. But we can list the 40 times of the players on offense who are projected to part ways with the team. What about separation? Let's toss yards after the catch per reception in 2024. And if you simplify everything, we can add their longest reception in 2024 as well. So what does that look like?

• WR Cooper Kupp | 4.62-sec 40 time | 4.0 YAC per rec | 69-yard reception
• WR Tutu Atwell | 4.32-sec 40 time | 3.0 YAC per rec | 56-yard reception
• WR Demarcus Robinson | 4.59-sec 40 time | 2.3 YAC per rec | 46-yard reception
• WR Tyler Johnson | 4.70-sec 40 time | 7.0 YAC per rec | 63-yard reception
• TE Hunter Long | 4.63-sec 40 time | 4.3 YAC per rec | 18-yard reception

* Bold type indicates best in category

Of course, you could simplify everything by defining explosive playmakers simply by the number of touchdowns scored in any single season. But the group listed above combined for 14 receiving touchdowns. So that can't be it, either.

As you can see above, the Rams offense possessed players who exhibited all of the most common characteristics linked to offensive playmakers, but none are currently expected to return in 2025. So, what truly makes up an explosive offensive playmaker? You see, the team cannot hope to find explosive playmakers if they cannot define what qualities that category of player must have.

It pays to have friends. When I dive into the annual NFL Draft for speculation over what the next moves might be by the Los Angeles Rams, I lean heavily on John Vogel, founder of the website Draft Vogel. Once a former contributor to Ramblin Fan, John has grown by leaps and bounds at his craft. He is currently one of the hottest names among NFL Draft analysts. Since I needed a bit more expertise as we now pivot to the 2025 NFL Draft, I asked John to share some rookie prospects in the draft who could be realistic targets for the Rams front office and within their reach.

He replied with six prospects: Three running backs and three wide receivers. So let's talk about Draft Vogel's Top-Six explosive playmakers who are optimal Rams targets in the upcoming draft:

Explosive running backs

The LA Rams have to be pleased with their tandem of running backs right now. RB Kyren Williams has been the team's bell cow for two seasons, and has handled the responsibility admirably. And now with Blake Corum entering his second NFL season, the team may finally take off his training wheels and actually turn him loose on the NFL.

Dylan Sampson, Tennessee (Explosive between the tackles zone runner)

At 5-foot-11 and weighing 190 pounds, Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson is a bit taller but not as heavy as the Rams running backs currently are, but perhaps that is a good thing. Easily checking the boxes for a dynamic playmaker, Sampson has a work-horse mindset and reputation entering the 2025 NFL Draft. Currently projected as a late Round 2 prospect, Sampson could fall to late Round 3 as the abundance of talent at the running back position may prompt NFL teams to address needs at other positions initially.

If explosive playmakers must have incredible speed, than Sampson is your guy. He has rocketed through a 40-yard dash in just 4.35 seconds. He does not rely on his speed alone, as his work ethic and coachability place him higher than his peers in terms of NFL projections. He is a headsy running back, knowing where to be in terms of hitting the holes, running his routes, or picking up blitzes. So why might he fall?

He will need to muscle up to withstand the physicality of the NFL. His lighter-than-expected weight also proves to be a disadvantage when he tries to pick up blizers. Worst of all, he has questions over his ball security. He could fall. If he does, I hope the team is wise enough to select him.

Where could Rams select him? Round 3

Brashard Smith, SMU (excellent versatile threat, played WR for 3 years at Miami)

There is no other running back like SMU's Brashard Smith, and likely will not be for some time. Considered a dual-threat back, Smith played three years as a wide receiver with the University of Miami before joining the SMU Mustangs as a workhorse running back. Smith even brings an accomplished resume of outstanding special teams work

Similar to Sampson, the knock on Smith is his weight. He stands 5-foot-10 but weighs just 196 pounds. While still a muscular build, that is a bit on the light side for an true three-down running back. But unlike Sampson, or any other running back in this draft, Smith's versatility ensures that he needn't pound the rock between the tackles to make an impact in the Rams offense.

Conceivably, the Rams could use Smith in virtually any role. He could line up as an outside receiver, in the backfield, or anywhere in-between. Because he has extensive experience as a receiver, his route-running and soft hands are built-in. He is an offensive swiss army knife. If he winds up with the Rams, you can bet that he will be an instant impact on the team, if only on special teams.

Where could Rams select him? Round 4

Woody Marks, USC (all 3 phases of the game threat)

I don't think that any Rams fans from Los Angeles, California, are oblivious to the makings of a Day 3 diamond-in-the-rough like USC running back Woody Marks. But the Rams fanbase runs worldwide, so it's likely that there are many who do not recognize him by name alone. So the first order of business is to make some introductions.

Jo'Quavious 'Woody' Marks is a 5-foot-10, 208-pound running back who can run a 40-yard dash in 4.48 seconds. He is naturally elusive, a now-you-see-him, now-you-don't style of rusher who is more about making defenders miss than punishing them with hard running. He can hit hard in pass blocking, and that could draw the Rms to him as a late running back option.

He falls to Day 3 due to a lack of collegiate production throughout his collegiate career. And his elusiveness takes on the all-or-nothing quality of either big gains or getting tackled. He does not possess the double or twitchy moves of some of the NFL's elite rushers. But he is smart, elusive, passionate, and coachable.

Where could Rams select him? Round 6

Explosive wide receivers

When it comes to explosive wide receivers, the LA Rams are certainly in the market for some. The team is projected to lose veteran WR Cooper Kupp to a trade (or outright release), and lose WRs Tutu Atwell, Demarcus Robinson, and Tyler Johnson to expired contracts. While the team may extend some, I would expect the Rams roster to lose at least two wide receivers this offseason. So rookie prospects at the position will take the priority.

If the team wants to test the back end of defenses, here are the right rookies for the job:

Tez Johnson, Oregon (very small/TuTu Atwell frame)

The similarities to Rams veteran WR Tutu Atwell and Oregon WR Tez Johnson are impossible to ignore. Tez Johnson stands 5-foot-10, weighs 165 pounds, and has the type of blazing speed that forces defensive coordinators to game plan for. While Johnson's 40-time has yet to be recorded, his performance on the football field leaves no doubt that he is football fast.

For the Rams, that is all that they need to know about a player's swiftness.

If the Rams failed to develop WR Tutu Atwell to his fullest potential, why would they go back and do it all over again? Well, you could point to the Rams experience at RB Darrell Henderson not diswaying them from choosing RB Kyren Williams as step one. The Rams front office view each player's passion, mindset, work ethic, and a host of other factors to weigh each rookie prospect. So what about Tez Johnson makes him ideally suited to wear 'The Horns?' Let's talk about that:

Tez Johnson was taken in by Bo Nix's family when he was just 15 years old. They later reunited as teammates when both played for the Oregon Ducks. So the connection between quarterback and wide receiver is more than football-related. Their friendship has fueled their football passion and proficiency. Johnson exploded for 82 catches, 1,182 yards, and 10 touchdowns for the Oregon Ducks in 2023.

He boasts blazing speed, precise route running, soft hands married with superb ball-tracking skills, elusive off the line of scrimmage, and the ability to turn any play into big gains. If the Rams learned how to unlock Tutu Atwell's potential through trial and error, Tez Johnson could be a huge addition to the offense.

Where could Rams select him? Round 3

Matthew Golden, Texas (do it all kind of receiver)

IF the Rams are stuck on their cookie-cutter perspective at wide receiver, then even a casual blush of Texas rookie prospect Matthew Golden will jump out for the team. Not only does Matthew Golden have a name that screams future NFL highlight reel, but he stands 6-foot-0 and weighs 195 pounds. He is a former teammate of Rams WR Jordan Whittington, and that is something to keep in the back of your mind, especially after the team's success with drafting Florida State teammates to the defense.

If you have a need for speed, Golden is your guy. He runs the 40-yard-dash in 4.38 seconds, and could clock in an even faster time at his collegiate Pro Day. And yes, he has special teams experience that could set him up to earn a role as the team's kick returner or punt returner. If Jordan Whittington's physicality is an anvil, then Matthew Golden's speed and separation ability is the hammer.

Matthew Golden is so crisp at running routes that he breaks ankles, and his route tree is like the choreography of an Arthur Murray's Dance School masterclass. Initially a vertical threat, Golden worked incredibly hard to master the entire arsenal of routes, tempos, and patterns. He looks the part of a Rams star receiver. But will he be on the board when the team makes a selection?

Where could Rams select him? Late Round 1 (or trade back to early Round 2)

Tai Felton, Maryland (explosive and productive in college)

If you have followed Ramblin Fan for any period of time, you have seen the name Tai Felton before. He appeared in a Rams mock draft, and he joined Michigan TE Colston Loveland in that draft in fueling a recharged Rams offense for 2025. While not currently consider a top-tier prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft yet, he offers much more than a warm body and a roster fill.

The first characteristic about Tai Felton is the fact that he stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 181 pounds. He joins star wide receiver Puka Nacua at that height, while needing a bit more muscle to match Nacua's physicality. But what Tai Felton lacks in powerhouse performances, he more than makes up for with his speed, his route tree, his mental toughness, his ability to retain possession on contested catches, and his ability to sneak in outstanding YAC numbers.

While not blessed with blazing speed, he has the same level of playmaking ability that the team is losing in veteran WR Cooper Kupp. After all, Kupp was not speedster, and yet his 2021 single-season performance is one for the ages.

Where could Rams select him? Round 4

Ultimately, Rams selections in the 2025 NFL Draft will be about opportunity as well as talent level. The Rams wanted Georgia TE Brock Bowers and Texas DT Byron Murphy II in the 2024 NFL Draft, but were unable to trade up to select them. So it's not just whether or not the Rams love these prospects as much it is whether or not they are on the draft board when the Rams have them targeted.

This draft may not rank in terms of importance in some fans eyes as highly as the 2023 and 2024 NFL Drafts did. But in terms of the new direction of the team's offense, this is a vital turning point for the team. Like the past two drafts for the defense, the Rams need to hit home runs for offensive playmakers in this draft. I believe the Rams will find gems in this draft as well.

As always, thanks for reading.

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