Rams counting on sophomore trio to lift up last year's draft class

General manager Les Snead have a solid drafting track record for the Los Angeles Rams. The beauty is that he has no problem swinging and missing. Consider: barely one year after the 2025 draft, LA's rookie class that year has dwindled from six roster members to four.

Unlike the previous two classes, '25 produced no Year 1 starters. As a result, the remaining group is under plenty of pressure to pan out.

Of course, any true assessment include the fact that the Rams surrendered a pair of 2025 picks to the Atlanta Falcons for a package that included a first-round selection in 2026 (No. 13 overall). That surplus of draft ammunition facilitated trades for cornerback Trent McDuffie and edge rusher Myles Garrett this offseason.

Overall, however, results from last year's draft have been mixed at best. Let's revisit the picks and assess who's still fighting for a role in 2026.

2025 Rams selections: Where are they now?

• DAY 2 PICKS (no first-rounders)
• Round 2 (46th overall) - TE Terrance Ferguson
• Round 3 (90th) - OLB Josaiah Stewart
• DAY 3 PICKS
• Round 4 (117th) - RB Jaquez Hunter (Traded to Miami Dolphins)
• Round 5 (148th - DT Ty Hamilton
• Round 5 (172nd) - ILB Chris Paul Jr. (RELEASED)
• Round 7 (242nd) - WR Konata Mumpfield
• 2026 Pick acquired for 2025 Round 1 and Round 3 selections
• Round 1 (via Atlanta, 13th) - Quarterback Ty Simpson

The young careers of the six-man class have gone in rather different directions:

Keepers

• Tight end Terrance Ferguson
• Outside linebacker Josaiah Stewart
• Wide receiver Konata Mumpfield

Hitting on three of six draftees isn't a bad record, but only if all three make a significant impact this year. So far, signs suggest things are trending that way, with all three sitting out the entire preseason to indicate they've locked up roster spots. But none is likely starting in Week 1, which means they will need to earn their workload game by game.

In the mix

• Defensive tackle Ty Hamilton

Hamilton played in the first preseason game. He was absent from the final two games, which should indicate that he's made the 53-man roster. But making the roster is the bare minimum, as he will need to carve out a role in a crowded defensive front.

If Aaron Donald opts to unretire, Hamilton will be at risk of getting bumped to make room.

Gone

• Running back Jarquez Hunter
• Inside linebacker Chris "Pooh" Paul Jr.

A third of that rookie class is already gone, an abnormally significant failure rate for Snead's typicalyl adept drafting decisions. Chris Paul Jr. was injured, allowing undrafted rookie Shaun Dolac to nudge him off the roster last year.

This year, the Rams knew they were keeping running backs Kyren Williams, Blake Corum, and Ronnie Rivers. Rather than risk losing Hunter to waivers when cut, Snead opted to get something in return via trade.

Three players from the 2025 draft are still fighting to become productive contributors. Still, after Snead hit so well in 2023 and 2024, fans will understandably grow impatient if the anticipated progress doesn't take place within the promising trio of Ferguson, Mumpfield, and Stewart.

As always, thanks for reading.

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