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

ILB Chris Paul Jr.

Some Rams fans had hoped that the team would address the inside linebacker position early in the draft. But the Los Angeles Rams simply do not roll that way, as they have seldom invested valuable draft picks into the position. But Mississippi rookie inside linebacker Chris Paul Jr. brings plenty of reasons to feel optimistic.

Some view him as a boom or bust rookie prospect. At 6-foot-1 and tipping the scales at 222 pounds, he is not the biggest linebacker selected. The concern is that he will not be big enough or physical enough to manhandle running backs the way some fans hope. Fair enough. But the risk is there for any rookie prospect to fail to achieve NFL success.

Bootleg Football interviewed Chris Paul Jr. and titled it: Chris Paul might be your next favorite linebacker. I have to say that it was a solid interview. Here it is in its entirety:

Chris Paul is a passionate linebacker who exudes plenty of humility. Paul flipped from Arkansas (three seasons) to Mississippi (one season). One particularly insightful thing that occured at the 3:00 mark was how he took feedback from his Mississippi coach to take on blockers head-on. He used that feedback to become a north-south linebacker to defeat blockers and blows up plays.

Because the linebacker position is so vital, we had already focused on Chris Paul Jr. and pointed out how he fits for this defense. But what stands out is the ease with which he explains himself, his style of leadership, and his ability to reveal how he approaches the game of football.

Per NFL.com, Chris Paul Jr. is the eighth-ranked linebacker who was the 13th selected linebacker off the board. In terms of value, he became an instant bargain. While a bit light at 222 pounds, he has the frame to add about 8-12 more pounds of muscle. But what I think stands out about Chris Paul is the fact that he loves to study film, make solid decisions on the football field, and make plays.

That is the type of linebacker that this team needs.

WR Konata Mumpfield

While the Rams arguably needed more wide receivers, the addition of 5-foot-11, 186-pound Pittsburgh Panthers wide receiver Konata Mumpfield was a bit of a curveball compared to the typical receiver on the roster. As the 42nd-ranked wide receiver prospect, draft analysts may not have seen the virtues and skills that the Rams keyed on when selecting Mumpfield. But neither rankings nor draft profiles make a successful NFL career. Opportunities do. Right now, Pittsburgh Panthers wide receiver Konata Mumpfield has the opportunity to start a successful NFL career with the Los Angeles Rams.

Let's see if he can make the most of it.

Mumpfield does not stand out from his measurables. He stands 5-foot-11, weighs 186 pounds, and runs a 40-yard dash in 4.59 seconds. While he does not stand out in any one way, he is very good at just about everything that you can ask of a wide receiver.

Even before the NFL Draft arrived, ESPN NFL Analyst Louis Riddick projected Mumpfield to the Rams because he loved the fit of Mumpfield on the Rams roster. Why so excited about an average-sized receiver with average speed? Simple. Riddick and the Rams saw through the limits of the Panthers' offense to discern the upside of Mumpfield and how those skill sets translate into the NFL. It's tough to run precision routes when the football arcs like a wounded duck.

Mumpfield can be much more dangerous in the Rams' offense. He played 899 offensive snaps as the outside receiver and 744 offensive snaps in the slot per Pro Football Focus. That puts versatility in capital letters into his NFL career. But he was also a consistent producer on an erratic offense, able to catch passes and throw in some running and special teams return work to help the team in any way possible.

Mumpfield is going to frustrate defensive backs. He can make instant and sudden breaks that create separation, but uses those breaks to set up a sudden and unexpected burst of speed. He keeps defensive backs guessing on every play.

He is a solid understudy to veteran WR Davante Adams.

Four picks who may not be immediate starters, but who can be instant contributors. That is not only pretty good for a playoff team, but is vital if this team is to have any hope of competing in Super Bowl LX.

As always, thank you for reading.

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