Los Angeles Rams (Last Year: 10-7)
Goals Entering the 2025 NFL Draft: The Rams may have considered blowing everything up and beginning anew when they were rumored to be shopping Matthew Stafford. However, they are all in, so it would make sense to address their very few needs. Cornerback, linebacker, and center are the three areas that must be improved. It wouldn’t hurt to find a receiver either, given that Davante Adams is past 30.
2025 NFL Draft Accomplishments: The Rams had an incredible draft last year, so surely they could follow that up with another strong haul, right? Well, if the needs are considered, that is not the case. Cornerback, linebacker and center, the team’s top three needs, were not addressed at all, save for the 172nd pick on linebacker Chris Paul Jr. The Rams inexplicably passed on all the cornerbacks and centers.
Needs don’t really need to be addressed if a team finds amazing values instead. The Rams, however, did not aside from their fifth-round choice on Ty Hamilton. The second-round selection of Terrance Ferguson was extremely disappointing, as was the fourth-round pick of Jarquez Hunter. The only Rams selection graded favorably outside of Hamilton was the third-round pick, Josaiah Stewart, who could help rattle Jalen Hurts with his tremendous pass-rushing ability.
I like the upgrades the Rams made to their front seven. However, there were far too many whiffs in this class for Los Angeles to be graded favorably.
NFL Draft Individual Grades:
46. Terrance Ferguson, TE, Oregon – C- Grade
This is a reach. I thought Terrance Ferguson would go in the third or fourth round, so it’s not an egregious reach, but Ferguson was taken too early nonetheless. We knew the Rams were looking for a tight end as insurance for Tyler Higbee, but they could have drafted a similar player a round or two later.
90. Josaiah Stewart, DE/OLB, Michigan – B+ Grade
More pass rush for the Rams, who gave the Eagles more problems than any other team in the playoffs. Josaiah Stewart is a dangerous pass rusher, but he’s undersized. Still, he should be a good player in the NF
117. Jarquez Hunter, RB, Auburn – B- Grade
The Rams traded up for Shed- I mean, Jarquez Hunter. He’s a physical, downhill runner who could end up being a better backup for Kyren Williams than Blake Corum. It makes sense for the Rams to draft Hunter, but I don’t think they needed to trade up for him.
148. Ty Hamilton, DT, Ohio State – A+ Grade
I had Ty Hamilton as a third- or fourth-round prospect. Ty Hamilton is quick and athletic, so he could emerge as a starter in the NFL. The Rams need pass rushers to take down the Eagles, so this could be a crucial selection.
172. Chris Paul Jr., LB, Ole Miss – B Grade
Chris Paul was expected to be a fifth-round pick, and that’s exactly where he went. This is a logical selection for the Rams, who had severe linebacker issues last year. They really needed to attack the position.
242. Konata Mumpfield, WR, Pittsburgh – B Grade
Konata Mumpfield got some buzz late in the pre-draft process, but he’s a slower receiver. This is an OK pick.
Follow me @walterfootball for updates.
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