Camp buzz is building fast around this Rams rookie for all the right reasons

The Los Angeles Rams seem to have no problem finding diamonds-in-the-round on Day 3 of the annual NFL draft. Perhaps it's a survival mechanism, honed after years of not benefitting from retaining a pick in Round 1. Perhaps it's just an uncanny lucky streak, a pattern of good fortune that is unexplained but temporary.

Whatever the cause, Rams fans have come to love the way the team conducts its business on Day 3 of the NFL Draft. The team has found offensive powerhouses like RB Kyren Williams, WR Puka Nacua, and has the potential to add second-year WR Jordan Whittington to that group of Day 3 gems with a solid season this year.

Related: It’s already clear this Rams rookie may have an easy path to playing time

And now, the Rams may be adding another name to the list. The team selected Pittsburgh Panthers rookie wide receiver prospect Konata Mumpfield in Round 7 of the 2025 NFL Draft. So far, he has played far better for the team than a late Day 3 rookie.

Is Konata Mumpfield the steal of the 2025 NFL Draft?

Rams fans may not have adored the selection of Mumpfield as much as some NFL experts did. He had projected Mumpfield to be an ideal offensive weapon in the Rams' offense. And after he was chosen by the Rams, ESPN NFL analyst Louis Riddick doubled down on his original assertion by proclaiming Konate Mumpfield to be the steal of the 2025 NFL Draft.

But projection is just a fancier word for speculation. The moment when the tire hits the pavement for Mumpfield is when the pads go on and training camp gets into full swing. And so far, he has been showing up in a big way.

The addition of veteran wide receiver Davante Adams has benefited both receivers and defensive backs. But Adams has quickly established a special bond with Mumpfield, perhaps due to the similarities of their playing style. But Adams admits to feeling a special sort of pride in witnessing how quickly Mumpfield is developing into an NFL wide receiver.

And that pushes him to go out and play even harder the next time.

Konata Mumpfield stands 5-foot-11 and tips the scales at 186 pounds. He runs a 40-yard dash in 4.59 seconds. So he is not the tallest, heaviest, most physical, nor swiftest wide receiver in the NFL, or even on the Rams roster. But he is shifty. He has more moves than Arthur Murray's Dance Studio, and that allows him to create separation right out of the blocks.

And that is something that veteran WR Davante Adams can appreciate, because that is his specialty.

The key is cracking the 53-man roster and then getting offensive snaps. Finally, Mumpfield needs targets. Not one of those steps will be easy for the rookie, as the team has many talented players competing for limited opportunities.

But Mumpfield caught the attention of NFL experts. He has won over veteran teammates. How long before he wins over the coaching staff? That is, of course, unless he has already wowed them.

As always, thanks for reading.

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