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The Los Angeles Rams, at pick No. 172, selected Ole Miss linebacker Chris Paul Jr. And no, he is not related to NBA legend Chris Paul. Los Angeles traded its 201st and 202nd overall selections to the Minnesota Vikings to select the All-American LB. The addition of Paul adds needed depth to the Rams' LB core. His ability to fly sideline-to-sideline, disrupt plays in the backfield, and contribute in coverage makes him a nice addition to a Rams defense reloading with young talent.
Here are five things to know about Los Angeles' newest defender.
Paul Jr. was a dominant force for Ole Miss in 2024, leading the Rebels with 88 tackles and anchoring one of the best rush defenses in school history. He helped Ole Miss set school and national marks for sacks (52) and tackles for loss (120), earning him First-Team All-America honors (USA Today) and SEC Linebacker of the Year (CFN).
Paul Jr. finished as Pro Football Focus’ top-rated linebacker in the SEC for the 2024 season, earning an overall defensive grade of 87.2 (No. 5 in the FBS). He also ranked in the SEC’s top five in pass rush, tackling, coverage, pressures, and run defense, showing off his versatility and dominance across the board.
Nicknamed "Pooh," Paul brings a twitchy, aggressive playing style with elite range and explosive burst. Known for his sharp angles and fierce tackling, he’s a sideline-to-sideline defender who thrives as a blitzer and quickly diagnoses plays, living up to his “green-dot” leadership role at Ole Miss.
Before transferring to Ole Miss for his breakout 2024 season, Paul spent three seasons at Arkansas, appearing in 28 games with 137 tackles and 15 tackles for loss. He was named a Freshman All-American in 2022 and appeared on the Butkus Award watch list in 2023 before finishing as a finalist in 2024.
A Georgia native, Paul’s football journey was guided by his father, a Navy veteran and former semi-pro player. Balancing football and family, he transferred to Ole Miss partly to be closer to his fiancée and newborn daughter. His work ethic on and off the field reflects his commitment to both his team and his family.
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This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: 2025 NFL Draft: 5 things to know about Rams LB Chris Paul Jr.
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Here are five things to know about Los Angeles' newest defender.
Elite playmaker in the SEC
Paul Jr. was a dominant force for Ole Miss in 2024, leading the Rebels with 88 tackles and anchoring one of the best rush defenses in school history. He helped Ole Miss set school and national marks for sacks (52) and tackles for loss (120), earning him First-Team All-America honors (USA Today) and SEC Linebacker of the Year (CFN).
Top-graded SEC linebacker by PFF
Paul Jr. finished as Pro Football Focus’ top-rated linebacker in the SEC for the 2024 season, earning an overall defensive grade of 87.2 (No. 5 in the FBS). He also ranked in the SEC’s top five in pass rush, tackling, coverage, pressures, and run defense, showing off his versatility and dominance across the board.
Explosive athlete with a relentless Motor
Nicknamed "Pooh," Paul brings a twitchy, aggressive playing style with elite range and explosive burst. Known for his sharp angles and fierce tackling, he’s a sideline-to-sideline defender who thrives as a blitzer and quickly diagnoses plays, living up to his “green-dot” leadership role at Ole Miss.
Proven track record at 2 SEC schools
Before transferring to Ole Miss for his breakout 2024 season, Paul spent three seasons at Arkansas, appearing in 28 games with 137 tackles and 15 tackles for loss. He was named a Freshman All-American in 2022 and appeared on the Butkus Award watch list in 2023 before finishing as a finalist in 2024.
Family-driven with a strong background
A Georgia native, Paul’s football journey was guided by his father, a Navy veteran and former semi-pro player. Balancing football and family, he transferred to Ole Miss partly to be closer to his fiancée and newborn daughter. His work ethic on and off the field reflects his commitment to both his team and his family.
Follow Rams Wire on X and Facebook for more coverage!
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: 2025 NFL Draft: 5 things to know about Rams LB Chris Paul Jr.
Continue reading...
