Rams land a Tyler Higbee successor in this unique 3-round Rams mock draft

Day 3 - 101st overall pick

By the time the Rams make their third pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, 100 rookies will already have been selected by NFL teams. At this point in the typical draft, the interest from NFL fans begins to wane. But keep in mind that the Rams experience in the 2022 NFL Draft began with the 104th overall pick. In this year's draft, the Rams will be adding their third rookie prospect.

Who the Rams choose at 101 will depend on who and which positions the team had addressed in their previous picks. But since we are listing three rookie options, you can decide which selection is most appropriate based on who you expect the team to select before this spot.

Option 1 - TE Harold Fannin Jr.

While multiple tight ends in the 2025 NFL Draft are getting plenty of press coverage and high marks, if the Rams fail to address the position in Round 1, I can see the team invoking a fallback default position of selecting Bowling Green tight end Harold Fannin Jr, with their 101st overall pick. A bit smallish compared to his peers, 6-foot-3, 241-pound Harold Fannin Jr. erupted for insane tight end production in his third and final season of college football.

In 2024, he hauled in 117 receptions for 1,555 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns.

A fundamental enigma, many draft profiles are simply not enamored with his play style. And he simply does not have the blocker reputation needed to be considered a well-rounded NFL tight end capable of competing on every down and distance scenario. But he offers elite offensive production, has impeccable hands blessed at catching nearly every football thrown his way, and is equally dangerous after the catch at piling up additional yards.

Some draft analysts do not believe Fannin can replicate his phenomenal production in the NFL. Some do. But a pass-catching tight end that is still on the board late in Round 3 is expected to come with some question marks. The Rams did not meet with Harold Fannin Jr. before the draft, but the team did meet with five tight ends. Curiously, there is no direct correlation between who the Rams choose to meet with and who the team eventually selects in the draft. So the selection of Fannin in Round 3 is very much still in play.

Option 2 - S Andrew Mukuba

The Rams did meet with Texas safety Andrew Mukuba before the draft, and while the Rams seem to have an ample supply of young safeties on the roster already, Mukuba makes sense. Standing 5-foot-11 and tipping the scales at 186 pounds, Mukuba is a versatile defensive back who can play center field or slide into a slot defensive back role.

Mukuba brings a war-and-peace novel of football experience to the NFL, and can see and recognize what opposing offenses are running and where the quarterback wants to go with the football. Mukuba played three seasons for Clemson, finishing up with one season with Texas. In his final season, Mukuba picked off five passes for interceptions, while deflecting seven passes.

That burst of pass coverage production is enough to get noticed by NFL teams.

Viewed as a bit smallish for some NFL teams, Mukuba will need to land on an NFL roster with a specific plan to take full advantage of his specific skill set. The Rams defense, under DC Chis Shula, is one such defense that is capable of optimizing Mukuba's full potential.

Option 3 - WR Jaylin Noel

The LA Rams could be willing to explore adding a rookie wide receiver who boasts comprehensive special-teams experience at returning both kickoffs and punts. If that is on the menu, the team will love the production of Iowa State's swift and productive wide receiver, Jaylin Noel. Noel is a solid rookie addition, standing 5-foot-10, weighing 194 pounds, and possessing enough versatility to be an upgrade to both offense and special teams in his rookie season.

Noel is familiar with Rams' offensive pass coordinator Nate Scheelhaase, who was the former offensive coordinator for Iowa State. As such, the Rams have solid and intimate knowledge about Noel and have a running start at determining the best ways to leverage Noel for optimal NFL offensive impact.

One of the most attractive qualities about Jaylin Noel is his solid development and increasing offensive production. He improved in practically every offensive statistic, emerging from four seasons of NCAA football with a compelling and productive case to be considered a solid contributor in the NFL in his rookie season.

And his forte in special teams is a very attractive bonus.

At the 101st overall pick, the Rams would be wise to consider getting the best bang for the buck. Jaylin Noel's ability to make an immediate positive impact both on offense and in special teams. That versatility is worth a late Round 3 selection, as hitting on either role makes his addition to the Rams roster a success.

Three rounds. Three selections. Nine prospects to consider. It may turn out that the Rams face tough decisions among these players, or may step up to the podium without any of these prospects on the board. But one thing is crystal clear. The Rams will add some very exciting rookies in the first two days of the 2025 NFL Draft. And we will be there to help share why they are so special.

As always, thanks for reading.

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