Grading every Rams 2025 draft pick (with 1 bold prediction for each)

The Los Angeles Rams are closer than not to contending for a Super Bowl LX appearance. Of course, many other teams believe that they will be in the hunt as well. But as it always happens this time of year, optimism for success is at its peak.

With the first snap of the football to open the 2025 NFL season, the Rams and every other NFL team will find out whether their off-season rubber hits the football field pavement. The Rams were close to winning it all last season. All their offseason moves were meant to get them closer to that goal.

As well as the Rams had drafted in both 2023 and 2024, that past success made their 2025 draft strategy all the more tedious and complicated. In the past, the team had a wide-open roster that was ripe for any elite rookies to jump into and make their presence felt right out of the gate. But the Rams roster in 2025 does not have the same opportunity for a rookie like WR Puka Nacua, OLB Jared Verse, C Beaux Limmer, or even undrafted rookies like ILB Omar Speights or DB Jaylen McCollough.

Rookies in this year's class have more crucial roles. They are the rotational players - the backbone that is often forgotten when handing out accolades for a sensational season. They do not get All-Pro or Pro Bowl honors. The NFL does not have an NBA equivalent to a sixth-man award.. But to win it all, the entire roster must contribute.

And with the goal in mind of reinforcing, not reinventing, the Rams roster in 2025, I believe that Rams GM Les Snead may have outdone himself. Here's why:

Let's talk about picks, baby.

The LA Rams entered the 2025 NFL Draft with eight picks, five of which fell on Day 3. While I did not openly state in articles, the quantity and location of picks did not align with the Rams' roster needs. In short, the team's only true needs in this draft were inside linebacker and a true starting cornerback.

This is how the Rams were armed as they entered the draft:

2025 Rams Draft Pick (Original)

• Round 1 (26th overall)
• Round 3 (90th overall
• Round 3 (101st overall) (comp pick)
• Round 4 (127th overall)
• Round 6 (190th overall) (via Falcons)
• Round 6 (195th overall) (via Steelers)
• Round 6 (201st overall) 
• Round 6 (202nd overall) (via Bears (originally from Texans))

Rams draft picks in 2026 (Original)

The Rams were originally projected to have eight picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. They are:

• Round 1
• Round 2
• Round 3
• Round 4
• Round 5
• Round 5 (via Tennessee Titans)
• (Conditionally traded to Titans)
• Round 6 (via Houston Texans)
• (Traded away Round 7 pick to Texans
• Round 7 (via Baltimore Ravens)

The Rams entered the draft with eight picks, but made three trades.

• TRADE 1: The first trade sent the Round 1 (26) and Round 3 (101) to the Atlanta Falcons for Round 2 (46) and Round 7 (242) picks, plus a Round 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
• TRADE 2: The team next traded two picks, in Round 4 (127) and Round 6 (190), to the Indianapolis Colts for their Round 4 (117) pick.
• TRADE 3: Finally, the Rams traded Round 6 picks (201 and 202) to the Minnesota Vikings for a Round 5 pick (172).

Why were the Rams so actively trading in this draft? Consider the swell of talent in this rookie class, and compare it to when the majority of Rams picks were scheduled to fall. With the best value of this draft falling across late Round 1 through Round 5, the Rams wanted to convert their abundant supply of Round 6 picks (that fell beyond where the best supply of rookie talent might occur) to the more secure Round 5. And so, in three trades, the Rams' new arsenal of draft picks aligned much more closely to where talented rookies could be found.

Here is the summary of the Rams final picks:

2025 Rams Draft Picks (Updated)

• Round 2 (46th overall)
• Round 3 (90th overall
• Round 4 (117th overall)
• Round 5 (148th overall)
• Round 5 (172nd overall)
• Round 7 (242nd overall) 

2026 Rams Draft Picks (Updated)

While the Rams did not anticipate trades from teams, the expectation of being flooded with trade offers from other NFL teams was not naive. The distribution of rookies in this draft was such that it practically begged NFL teams who picked early to grab an elite rookie to jump back into Round 1 to ensure that those same teams could get a second vital contributor on Day 1.

Nobody could have foreseen the desperation of the Atlanta Falcons to give up a 2026 NFL Draft Round 1 pick as well as their Round 2 pick to pry the Rams' Round 1 pick from them.

The Rams project to have seven picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. They are:

• Round 1 (via Atlanta)
• Round 1
• Round 2
• Round 3
• Round 5
• Round 5 
• Round 7

Unless the Atlanta Falcons win the NFC South Division, the Falcons' Round 1 pick in 2026 will flirt with the Top 10 and will almost certainly land among the Top 15 picks that year. But enough about picks. Let's dive into the Rams' draft selections.

So who did the Rams select?

The Rams rookie draft class of 2025

The Rams whittled eight picks down to six picks, converted value from Round 1 and 3 picks to get Round 2 and 7 picks, and never chose the same position more than once. But the team did emerge with incredible value in the 2026 NFL Draft, aligned their picks to match where the best talent resided in this draft, and even from this early vantage point, executed a nearly flawless draft choreography that landed a half dozen rookies who are poised to contribute this season.

The Rams selected:

• DAY 2 PICKS
• Round 2 (46th overall) - TE Terrance Ferguson
• Round 3 (90th overall) - OLB Josaiah Stewart
• DAY 3 PICKS
• Round 4 (117th overall) - RB Jaquez Hunter
• Round 5 (148th overall) - DT Ty Hamilton
• Round 5 (172nd overall) - ILB Chris Paul Jr.
• Round 7 (242nd overall) - WR Konata Mumpfield

Six players. You may not know much about them just yet, but much like the 2023 rookie draft class that opened with IOL Steve Avila, OLB Byron Young, and NT Kobie Turner, it won't take long to get to know them:

The first stop on our draft class reactions is to get the reactions from GM Les Snead and HC Sean McVay.

Day 2 picks

There was more to the comments of both Les Snead and Sean McVay to their Day 2 rookie selections than pride in a successful shopping soiree. You are not going to catch either Snead or McVay off guard with a question about a player that they hadn't considered.

Both Snead and McVay seemed to glow with pride in their selections. This was more than a Fantasy Football exercise. You can feel the vast amounts of research and data bursting from them as they responded to questions from the media.

I do wish that we could hear the questions posed from the media. Oh well, can't have everything.

Round 2 - TE Terrance Ferguson

The Rams finally drafted their tight end. Is he the guy who topped their draft board? I suspect the answer to that question is no. That is why my initial reaction was less than warm and welcoming. But what I have learned over the years of Rams GM Les Snead's body of work is that it's not the initial reaction to a player, but rather the mood after taking the time to sleep on it.

And having slept on it, I am warming up rapidly to Ferguson.

For openers, it was clear based on the team's mix-and-match efforts with tight ends in 2024 that they were not comfortable with TE Colby Parkinson as the primary backup tight end to Tyler Higbee. And it was clear why after Higbee returned and immediately began to rack up touchdowns. The Rams overpaid for Colby Parkinson if he is primarily a blocking tight end. And with the selection of TE Terrance Ferguson with the first pick made by the team in the 2025 NFL Draft, the team served notice to Parkinson that Ferguson is coming for his job.

If you want an athletic tight end who is versatile and productive, look no further:

Terrance Ferguson was a productive and integral contributor to the Oregon Ducks offense. His draft profile was all over the board. More than half of draft analysts viewed him among the top 80 rookies available. But NFL.com's draft profile had him as the 116th-ranked rookie in this draft.

The Rams front office viewed him as the 46th-ranked player.

I would love this pick if someone could guarantee he will be an active contributor in the Rams' offense in 2025. That is, if the Rams finally commit to running a 12-personnel offensive package 25 percent of the time or better. And only if that included Terrance Ferguson as the second tight end. But that is not something that anyone can guarantee, particularly since Terrance Ferguson is a rookie on offense.

I give an A for effort. and a C for what I expect to be his rookie impact on the offense. That works out to :

Bold Prediction: Ferguson will be targeted 25 times
Initial Grade for this pick: B

Round 3 - OLB Josaiah Stewart

The Los Angeles Rams lost underappreciated DT/OLB Michael Hoecht to free agency. While the team has plenty of players eager to take up the defensive snaps vacated by Hoecht in 2024, they have to show growth in the role to earn those opportunities. After all, he suited up for 639 defensive snaps, and put up 56 tackles, 3.0 quarterback sacks, six quarterback hits, four tackles for a loss, and even broke up two passes. He may not be a starter in the NFL, but he is a valuable rotational edge rusher.

Michigan rookie outside linebacker Josaiah Stewart is looking to become an equally valuable rotational edge rusher in the Rams' defense. From his draft profile and video footage, he is already well on his way to doing so.

The contrast between OLB Jared Verse and Josaiah Stewart could not be more prominent. Verse is a powerhouse who loves to talk trash and physically manhandle offensive tackles like a rhinoceros. Stewart is like a frenzied hornet, flying around and attacking from all angles. While you can fight one or the other separately, you can't fight both simultaneously

The Rams have one of the youngest and best pass rushes in the entire NFL. Josaiah Stewart is the ideal rookie for the role he will fill.

Bold Prediction: Josaiah Stewert will get 4.5 QB sacks in 2025
Initial Grade for this pick: A+

Day 3 picks

The Rams entered Day 3 with six picks, four falling in Round 6. The team emerged with four rookies, none of whom were selected in Round 6. This was Wheeler-Dealer Les Snead's wheelhouse. He not only knows who the team wants, but possesses an instant recognition of what that player is worth to get on the Rams roster.

If a trade partner exceeds the value of the targeted rookie? The deal is off. But if the target is worth it, both sides shake hands and the deal gets done. The Rams demonstrated that in the 2024 NFL Draft by trading up for DT Braden Fiske, costing them a Round 2 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

But Fiske proved worthy of that investment. Will the Rams' 2025 rookie selections from Day 3 prove to be worth their investments as well?

• DAY 3 PICKS
• Round 4 (117th overall) - RB Jaquez Hunter
• Round 5 (148th overall) - DT Ty Hamilton
• Round 5 (172nd overall) - ILB Chris Paul Jr.
• Round 7 (242nd overall) - WR Konata Mumpfield

Let's look at each rookie:

Round 4 - RB Jarquez Hunter

The Rams' running back room is a small army of carbon copies of the same running back. The Rams prefer their running backs under 5-foot-10, lighter than 215 pounds, and not too fast. The running backs accentuate elusiveness over speed or power. The Rams' rushing attack has grown stale. The team had just two rushes for 20+ yards and was ineffective at gaining yards consistently on the ground.

That may be changing now.

While not selected as early as RB Blake Corum with the 83rd overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Auburn RB Jarquez Hunter is a bit more intriguing because he breaks the mold of the Rams' stock running backs in several ways.

For openers, he is fast. That is, he is clocked in his 40-yard dash at 4.44 seconds. That is quicker than any other running back currently on the Rams roster. And that speed means explosive plays:

Another quality that I love about Jarquez Hunter is that he plays much larger than he stands. While he stands 5-foot-9 and tips the scales at 204 pounds, Hunter can and does move the pile. He is a north-south runner, preferring to break tackles rather than avoid them. And his audacity is contagious. He is that tough-as-nails guy that eventually has everyone around him rubbing dirt on sore spots and playing through.

He is a solid blocker on passing downs. He is a ferocious competitor. And he may be the first sign of a changing role for the Rams' running backs in 2025

Bold Prediction: Jarquez Hunter will have more than 2 runs of 20+ yards
Initial Grade for this pick: A

Round 5 - DT Ty Hamilton

The Los Angeles Rams had to see the deep defensive lineman talent in this draft and salivate a little. After all, Michael Hoecht was the last remaining undrafted defensive lineman from 2020, and the team has lost two other key veterans to free agency as well.

It is time to replenish the ranks. Curiously, Ty Hamilton would have been the eighth-ranked defensive lineman in the 2024 NFL Draft, practically ensuring that he would have come off the board in Day 2. But thanks to the depth and talent in this year's draft, he was there for the taking on Day 3. And yes, he is an athletic freak who can slide up and down the defensive front and give plenty of flexibility to DC Chris Shula/

Ty Hamilton is a run-stuffing specialist for Rams fans who have been nervous about the team's run defense. Better still, he is versatile enough to line up alongside Poon Ford for an added oompjh on short-yardage situations.

Unlike the 2020 NFL Draft, the team did not choose from the stragglers after other teams had depleted the shelves. In this draft, the Rams waded into the fray and chose one of the most versatile and productive defensive linemen in the draft. And due to the abundance of talent at the position, the Rams selected a 2024 Day 2 talent on Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft.

While not likely to dethrone anyone from a starting role in 2025, Hamilton is certainly talented and NFL-ready enough to give the Rams' defensive line rotation enough quality snaps to keep everyone rested. And there will not be a sudden drop in run-stuffing or pass-rushing prowess during the handoff.

He is the right guy for the Rams role at the position.

Bold Prediction: He will record 4+ tackles for a loss in 2025
Initial Grade for this pick: A+

Round 5 - ILB Chris Paul Jr.

The Rams fanbase was ready to march on Castle Frankenstein with torches and pitchforks if the team did not draft an inside linebacker in the 2025 NFL Draft. For anyone who expected any inside linebacker to hear his name called out on either Day 1 or 2, that was never going to happen. The Rams football organization no longer views the position to be worthy of that level of investment.

Any more than the Rams are likely to spend a Round 1 pick on a running back

What the Rams did do may have been even more impressive. The Rams landed a Top Five inside linebacker on Day 3 and Round 5 of the draft. He is the ideal partner to Rams inside linebacker Omar Speights as he is a smaller and rangier linebacker. While Speights digs in his heels to thump the ball carrier, Paul's rangy and ferocious presence makes him the ideal partner in the heart of the Rams defense.

Unlike the Rams trying to get everything checked off by starting two identical linebackers, Troy Reeder and Christian Rozeboom, in 2024 without much success, Paul gives the Rams an entirely new skillset that checks off what Speights lacks: Namely, range and pass coverage.

Paul not only brings a defensive upgrade, but he is a special-teams aficionado. The Rams have many ways to deploy Paul to make a noticeable impact on the outcome of games. The Rams brought back Troy Reeder and added veteran Nate Landman to the linebacker room. No matter. This young man can play.

Bold Prediction: Chris Paul will earn a starting role by mid-season
Initial Grade for this pick: A+

Round 7 - WR Konata Mumpfield

The ho-hum Los Angeles Rams offense had grown stale because the 2024 Rams roster held the same duplicates in the running backs room, tight end room, and wide receiver room. The Rams' front office is doing its part to change direction. Now, let's see how the coaches handle a new chapter in the Rams offense. Rookie TE Terrance Ferguson is more pass-catcher than a blocker. Auburn RB Jarquez Hunter has the power to run through you and the speed to run away from you. So what about the wide receiver position?

The Rams selected Pittsburgh Panthers WR Konata Mumpfield. He stands 5-foot-11, weighs 186 pounds, and runs a 40-yard dash in 4.59 seconds. He is a wide receiver who fits the moniker: 'Jack of all trades, master of none." And it's that Swiss army knife versatility that makes Mumpfield in the Rams' offense.

With the Rams' wide receivers room featuring at least two high-volume players in Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, plus a seemingly impossible commitment to increase the workload for Tutu Atwell, the team needs a can-do-it-all-well-enough backup receiver who will benefit from patience and coaching, but whose ceiling creates value for the team.

That player is Konata Mumpfield

Let's get right to it. ESPN NFL analyst Louis Riddick (a former NFL GM) loves the fit of Mumpfield on the Rams roster. He endorses Mumpfield's ability to play in the slot or on the outside, runs great routes, and is tough as nails. All Day 3 rookie selections have a mixed bag of things you will love about them and things you won't love about them. The secret is to ensure weaknesses are coachable and that passion is there.

Konata Mumpfield is a very passionate player who arrives a bit raw. But even with that said, I find no trouble envisioning ways for this offense to take full advantage of his skill set effectively

Bold Prediction: Konata Mumpfield will gain over 200 receiving yards
Initial Grade for this pick: B+

If you are reading this far, you certainly deserve a round of applause. The Rams' rookie draft class of 2025 is not as obviously elite as recent drafts. But this class was never intended to be loaded with stars to be sent out on stage. To make a compelling Broadway show work, you have to have top-notch stagehands, directors, and understudies. This draft class may seem like understudies, but their roles are every bit as important to win the Super Bowl this year.

The Rams' front office earned its pristine reputation in this draft. There simply was no low-hanging fruit for a team that made the last first selection in this draft and settled for six picks over the eight picks held as the three-day event started. The Rams were not rubber-stamping rookies. This was a finely choreographed draft case study of a team navigating all around to address all roster needs (save the cornerback position, but the Rams have a plan to address that).

The topper for me was the likelihood that by trading out of Round 1 in the 2025 NFL Draft, part of the Rams' compensation is the Atlanta Falcons' Round 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. In the past five drafts, the average spot for the Falcons' first pick is ninth overall. That will almost certainly put the Rams among the NFL teams with the most firepower in the 2026 NFL Draft.

For that, I am overwhelmingly pleased with the Rams rookie draft class.

Overall Initial Draft Grade: A+

As always, thanks for reading

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