Rams baffle fans with uncharacteristic Day 3 rookies that break old molds

The Rams appear to be turning the page in many ways.
Feb 16, 2022; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead and wife Kara Henderson celebrate during the championship victory parade. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Feb 16, 2022; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead and wife Kara Henderson celebrate during the championship victory parade. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
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The Los Angeles Rams are an NFL football team that has been forced to find elite football players in the most unlikely of places. Perhaps that's just the Midas Touch of Rams GM Les Snead. Perhaps that is a survival strategy of a team that had routinely traded away the top picks in the draft annually. After all, do you recall that the Rams stepped up to the draft podium in the 2022 NFL Draft for the first time to select the 104th rookie prospect?

Of eight rookies selected that year, five remain with the team. That's pretty good work for a team whose nearly entire rookie draft class was selected on Day 3 of the draft.

Day 3 selections have held a special place for the Rams and Rams fans. In the 2022 NFL Draft, the team selected Notre Dame RB Kyren Williams. That's the same Kyren Williams who has rushed for over 1000+ rushing yards in the past two seasons. In 2023, the team selected BYU WR Puka Nacua, a receiver who has led this team in receiving yards in each of the past two seasons.

And in 2024, the selected Stanford K Joshua Karty, who is a solid placekicker and starter for the team. The Rams also got quality snaps from C Beaux Limmer, and WR Jordan Whittington. So, which treasures did the team add to the roster on Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft? Let's review:

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

Of the group, the team carefully addressed all but one of the significant depth concerns on the roster. That lone position that was not addressed was cornerback. And even that makes sense. With 10 cornerbacks already on the roster, the team did not need more players. If anything, the team simply needed one of the best cornerbacks up for grabs in this draft.

Since the Rams opted to trade out of the 26th overall pick, the team forfeited any chance to select Kentucky CB Maxwell Hairston. But the team did land what could be an incredibly valuable Round 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. That transaction shifted the team's priorities in this draft from quarterback to depth and potential starters. Let's dive a bit more deeply into the Rams Day 3 selections to determine who might be a significant contributor this season:

Schedule