CBS Sports no-holds-barred critique of disappointing Rams 2025 rookie class

Did the Los Angeles Rams succeed at restocking the playoff-bound roster with the rookie class of 2025? Per CBS Sports NFL reporter Josh Edwards, not in the least. Out of 32 teams, he ranks LA's rookie class at a pedestrian 25th place. While it may hurt, he may not be wrong. After all, this was a rookie class whose greatest headline was trading back for a 2026 first-round pick.

The rookie class was never designed to land Day 1 starters. But did the team effectively land viable backups who can be counted on to step up in 2026? That's certainly up for debate. After all, one drafted rookie is already gone, now playing for the Seattle Seahawks. And another rookie failed to play a single snap.

• DAY 2 PICKS
• Round 2 (46th overall) - TE Terrance Ferguson (356 offensive snaps)
• Round 3 (90th overall) - OLB Josaiah Stewart (374 defensive snaps)
• DAY 3 PICKS
• Round 4 (117th overall) - RB Jaquez Hunter (0 offensive snaps)
• Round 5 (148th overall) - DT Ty Hamilton (138 defensive snaps)
• Round 5 (172nd overall) - ILB Chris Paul Jr. (signed with Seattle Seahawks)
• Round 7 (242nd overall) - WR Konata Mumpfield (375 offensive snaps)

If the goal for fans was to land multiple key starters, this underwhelming ranking is spot on. As far as our bold predictions for each rookie, we were completely shut out by all six draftees. That 0-for-6 lends even more evidence that the group was not as effective as hoped.

Rams roister needs more from '25 rookie class next season

The team has been improving each season based on the superb rookie classes from the 2023 and 2024 rookie classes. But that consecutive improvement may struggle if the 2025 draft class does not demonstrate marked improvement in 2026.

It was obvious that the LA Rams hit grand slams with the 2023 and 2024 rookie classes. Both drafts yielded multiple starters and essentially refurbished LA's defensive front. But no such plug-and-play rookie arrived in 2025. Is that a problem, or simply a change of strategy?

20/20 hindsight suggests that the team would have been better served by selecting quarterback Shadeur Sanders than running back Jarquez Hunter. But who knows in advance if the whiteboard strategies will pan out? Hunter is not a bust by any means. He's simply untested.

Such is the case for nearly all 2025 rookies. The talent was there. But the team simply never entrusted the young players enough to give them ample work for the 2025 season. But with a team pushing hard to extend young stars and facing an increasing number of expiring contracts, former rookies must grow into larger roles in a hurry.

It's impossible to know how effective a rookie in the NFL will be after just one season. So, don't feel too down on these players. Until they have their moment in the spotlight, nobody knows how well they will perform.

But it's safe to expect that spotlight to shine on them in 2026.

As always, thanks for reading.