Rams alarming rate of trading up on Day 3 of 2025 NFL Draft was right strategy

Are Rams wisely managing their annual draft picks?

While you may have hoped for the Rams to emerge with as many as three starters from the 2025 NFL Draft, the Rams' draft strategy seemed to run counter to that goal. After all, the team converted three picks on Days 1 and 2 into just two picks on Day 2. And the team converted five picks on Day 3 into just four picks on Day 3.

To see how the team's draft strategy unfolded, let's revisit the Rams' original arrangement of draft picks:

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))

As you can see, the Rams did have huge gaps between selecting in Round 1 and the first pick in Round 2. There was also a huge gap between Round 4 and the first pick in Round 6. The second gap was perhaps more alarming, as the Rams have done incredibly well in Round 5.

But the team's draft strategy would address both gaps effectively

2025 Rams Draft Picks (Official)

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

*Plus Atlanta Falcons Round 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, less LA Rams Round 4 pick in 2026 NFL Draft

As you can see from the draft selection above, the Rams filled in the gaps, plus landed two talented rookies in that all important Round 5. So, was it all worth it? Let's dive in a bit deeper to see if the Rams three Day 3 trades were worth the cost.

Another bonus to trading up is the elimination of guessing who the team wanted at that spot. NFL Draft day trades are contingent upon a specific player being on the board. The fact is that the Rams traded up three times on Day 3 to select three specific rookies. The Rams wanted RB Jarquez Hunter, NT Ty Hamilton, and ILB Chris Paul Jr.

And they got them.