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Les Snead and Sean McVay just completed their ninth draft together as a GM-head coach tandem and after hitting home runs in the last two drafts, they hope this class is another productive one. The Los Angeles Rams finished with six picks in all, largely thanks to Snead's aggressiveness on Day 3 when it came to trading up for players.
Interestingly, the Rams didn't address some of their biggest needs, but they did bring in players who could contribute early on in their careers. As is the case with each draft, this draft was about the future and building a roster that can compete in the next four years.
Here are nine takeaways from the Rams' 2025 class.
The Rams sure want to have an identity on defense. After adding Braden Fiske and Jared Verse last year, the Rams continued to add physical, tough and aggressive defenders in this year’s draft.
Edge rusher Josaiah Stewart plays with an unbelievable motor, doing anything he can to get to the ball carrier. Defensive tackle Ty Hamilton is another big, physical defender on the line who disrupts things on the interior with his knack for getting into the backfield. Linebacker Chris Paul Jr. plays with impressive pursuit and determination on the second level of the defense, chasing down players from every spot on the field.
The Rams are going to wear offenses down with the defense they’ve built, earning a reputation of being a physically imposing unit up front.
Because the Rams traded up three times on Day 3, they finished with their smallest draft class since 2016. They only added six players, matching their total from nine years ago when they traded up for Jared Goff.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing, and Les Snead’s willingness to trade up for specific players could be a sign that the Rams already like a lot of the players currently on the roster, thus leaving less room for incoming rookies.
"I think it was based on our roster, how the board was going and players that you really were convicted could come in and contribute, whatever the vision for the role was,” Snead said of trading picks to move up. “It was starting to get thin so we said, 'You know what? Instead of waiting and let the draft happen to you, let's go attack the draft.' When you do that, you have to give up some picks but we thought that was the more appropriate thing to do as this thing evolved over the course of each round."
After missing out on Dalton Kincaid and Brock Bowers the last two years, the Rams finally got their tight end. They took Terrance Ferguson with the 46th pick, a player they reportedly considered taking in the first round at No. 26. It was a strong class at the tight end position and Ferguson was one of the best, so the Rams should be thrilled about adding the Oregon product.
He has a chance to unlock parts of the offense that have been missing in the last couple of years, allowing the Rams to use more 12 personnel and attacking the seams more by using him as a vertical threat. It was obvious tight end would be a priority position and they didn’t waste much time addressing it.
One of the most interesting picks came in Round 4 when the Rams traded up 10 spots for Jarquez Hunter, a running back from Auburn. It wasn’t terribly surprising that the Rams added another running back, but with Kyren Williams seeking an extension and Blake Corum being a second-year player, the backfield is getting a little crowded.
This pick could simply be a way to add more speed and explosiveness to the running back room, which the Rams needed. It could also have to do with the possibility of Williams leaving in free agency in 2026.
If that turns out to be the case, the Rams are set up well with Corum and Hunter. Williams is a fine running back but Los Angeles needed more big-play ability and Hunter brings that.
There were questions about the right tackle position before the draft and those questions remain unanswered coming out of the weekend. Rob Havenstein is locked in as the starter for 2025 but it’s the final year of his contract and he’s approaching retirement.
It would’ve been good to see the Rams add a potential heir at right tackle in this year’s draft but they either feel good about their backups (Warren McClendon Jr. and A.J. Arcuri) or they plan to find a replacement next year. For a premium position that needed addressing, it’s surprising the Rams left the draft without a single lineman.
Cornerback was another position of need heading into the draft but the Rams chose not to address it. Maybe they didn’t like any of the corners on the board when they were picking. Or maybe they’re confident in their chances of acquiring Ramsey from the Dolphins.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported during the draft that the Rams are one of the teams interested in Ramsey, which fits with Les Snead saying he’s had discussions with the Dolphins. Ramsey’s contract is a big hurdle but if the Rams can find a way to get a deal done, he would solve their problems at a key position.
The Rams only came away with six players in this year’s class but we can’t forget that they also have an extra 2026 first-rounder. That was a major part of their trade down from No. 26, giving them additional ammo in next year’s draft.
It was a big price for the Falcons to pay in order to move up 20 spots but the Rams will benefit in the long term with that extra first-round pick. They can use that to trade up for a quarterback in the draft or potentially trade it for a veteran this year – either in the offseason or before the deadline.
For a team that needs a young quarterback, this will be very useful.
Speaking of quarterbacks, the Rams didn’t take one this weekend. They had chances to take Shedeur Sanders, Jalen Milroe and every quarterback not named Cam Ward or Jaxson Dart, but they passed every time.
Matthew Stafford is going to take it year to year with the Rams as they wait to see when he wants to call it a career. It could be in 2026. It could be in 2028. No one really knows; not even he does.
Like the rest of the NFL, the Rams probably weren’t high on this year’s quarterback class. There were rumors about them liking Milroe, Dart and Tyler Shough, but they chose not to take any of them. With two first-round picks next year, the Rams could be in position to take Stafford’s successor.
Oregon, Michigan, Auburn, Ohio State, Ole Miss and Pittsburgh. Those were the schools of the Rams’ six draft picks this year, all from Power 5 conferences. In recent years, the Rams have seemed to skew more toward big schools over small-school prospects, and that was the case again this year.
There’s nothing wrong with that and it has yielded great results in the past, so it’s hard to blame them for sticking with what’s worked.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: 2025 NFL Draft: 9 takeaways from the Rams' class
Continue reading...
Interestingly, the Rams didn't address some of their biggest needs, but they did bring in players who could contribute early on in their careers. As is the case with each draft, this draft was about the future and building a roster that can compete in the next four years.
Here are nine takeaways from the Rams' 2025 class.
Rams keep adding tough, aggressive defenders
The Rams sure want to have an identity on defense. After adding Braden Fiske and Jared Verse last year, the Rams continued to add physical, tough and aggressive defenders in this year’s draft.
Edge rusher Josaiah Stewart plays with an unbelievable motor, doing anything he can to get to the ball carrier. Defensive tackle Ty Hamilton is another big, physical defender on the line who disrupts things on the interior with his knack for getting into the backfield. Linebacker Chris Paul Jr. plays with impressive pursuit and determination on the second level of the defense, chasing down players from every spot on the field.
The Rams are going to wear offenses down with the defense they’ve built, earning a reputation of being a physically imposing unit up front.
Smallest draft class since 2016
Because the Rams traded up three times on Day 3, they finished with their smallest draft class since 2016. They only added six players, matching their total from nine years ago when they traded up for Jared Goff.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing, and Les Snead’s willingness to trade up for specific players could be a sign that the Rams already like a lot of the players currently on the roster, thus leaving less room for incoming rookies.
"I think it was based on our roster, how the board was going and players that you really were convicted could come in and contribute, whatever the vision for the role was,” Snead said of trading picks to move up. “It was starting to get thin so we said, 'You know what? Instead of waiting and let the draft happen to you, let's go attack the draft.' When you do that, you have to give up some picks but we thought that was the more appropriate thing to do as this thing evolved over the course of each round."
Sean McVay finally got his tight end
After missing out on Dalton Kincaid and Brock Bowers the last two years, the Rams finally got their tight end. They took Terrance Ferguson with the 46th pick, a player they reportedly considered taking in the first round at No. 26. It was a strong class at the tight end position and Ferguson was one of the best, so the Rams should be thrilled about adding the Oregon product.
He has a chance to unlock parts of the offense that have been missing in the last couple of years, allowing the Rams to use more 12 personnel and attacking the seams more by using him as a vertical threat. It was obvious tight end would be a priority position and they didn’t waste much time addressing it.
The revolving door at running back continues
One of the most interesting picks came in Round 4 when the Rams traded up 10 spots for Jarquez Hunter, a running back from Auburn. It wasn’t terribly surprising that the Rams added another running back, but with Kyren Williams seeking an extension and Blake Corum being a second-year player, the backfield is getting a little crowded.
This pick could simply be a way to add more speed and explosiveness to the running back room, which the Rams needed. It could also have to do with the possibility of Williams leaving in free agency in 2026.
If that turns out to be the case, the Rams are set up well with Corum and Hunter. Williams is a fine running back but Los Angeles needed more big-play ability and Hunter brings that.
Right tackle was surprisingly not a priority
There were questions about the right tackle position before the draft and those questions remain unanswered coming out of the weekend. Rob Havenstein is locked in as the starter for 2025 but it’s the final year of his contract and he’s approaching retirement.
It would’ve been good to see the Rams add a potential heir at right tackle in this year’s draft but they either feel good about their backups (Warren McClendon Jr. and A.J. Arcuri) or they plan to find a replacement next year. For a premium position that needed addressing, it’s surprising the Rams left the draft without a single lineman.
Might Jalen Ramsey be the answer at cornerback?
Cornerback was another position of need heading into the draft but the Rams chose not to address it. Maybe they didn’t like any of the corners on the board when they were picking. Or maybe they’re confident in their chances of acquiring Ramsey from the Dolphins.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported during the draft that the Rams are one of the teams interested in Ramsey, which fits with Les Snead saying he’s had discussions with the Dolphins. Ramsey’s contract is a big hurdle but if the Rams can find a way to get a deal done, he would solve their problems at a key position.
Acquiring a 2026 first-round pick was significant
The Rams only came away with six players in this year’s class but we can’t forget that they also have an extra 2026 first-rounder. That was a major part of their trade down from No. 26, giving them additional ammo in next year’s draft.
It was a big price for the Falcons to pay in order to move up 20 spots but the Rams will benefit in the long term with that extra first-round pick. They can use that to trade up for a quarterback in the draft or potentially trade it for a veteran this year – either in the offseason or before the deadline.
For a team that needs a young quarterback, this will be very useful.
Quarterback succession plan will have to wait another year
Speaking of quarterbacks, the Rams didn’t take one this weekend. They had chances to take Shedeur Sanders, Jalen Milroe and every quarterback not named Cam Ward or Jaxson Dart, but they passed every time.
Matthew Stafford is going to take it year to year with the Rams as they wait to see when he wants to call it a career. It could be in 2026. It could be in 2028. No one really knows; not even he does.
Like the rest of the NFL, the Rams probably weren’t high on this year’s quarterback class. There were rumors about them liking Milroe, Dart and Tyler Shough, but they chose not to take any of them. With two first-round picks next year, the Rams could be in position to take Stafford’s successor.
No small school players
Oregon, Michigan, Auburn, Ohio State, Ole Miss and Pittsburgh. Those were the schools of the Rams’ six draft picks this year, all from Power 5 conferences. In recent years, the Rams have seemed to skew more toward big schools over small-school prospects, and that was the case again this year.
There’s nothing wrong with that and it has yielded great results in the past, so it’s hard to blame them for sticking with what’s worked.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: 2025 NFL Draft: 9 takeaways from the Rams' class
Continue reading...
