Recent Forum Topics › Forums › The Rams Huddle › articles, vids, etc. wrapping up & assessing the Rams draft
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April 26, 2025 at 8:52 pm #156180
znModeratorRams 2025 NFL Draft takeaways: Roster confidence and aiming to win now are apparent
Jourdan Rodrigue
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6312690/2025/04/26/los-angeles-rams-2025-nfl-draft-picks-takeaways/
LOS ANGELES — This year’s L.A. Rams draft had all the feel of a team fine-tuning select areas in preparation to make a real run at a championship, without losing its substance afterward.
The Rams’ six picks — including three trades up on Day 3 — are the fewest they have used since 2016. They also added a first-round pick in 2026 via Atlanta after trading out of the first round Thursday night.
This means two things are true: The Rams are confident about the backbone of their roster and assets in 2026 and beyond, but they’re going to try to win now.
Their moves in free agency — from agreeing to continued terms with star quarterback Matthew Stafford to their extension of left tackle Alaric Jackson addition of free-agent nose tackle Poona Ford, receiver Davante Adams and center Coleman Shelton — all signaled they’ll make a run at another championship this year, especially while they still have Stafford.
Their last two draft classes — five starters apiece, plus several contributing depth and undrafted free agent players — and their selective process in this year’s draft also showed they are trying to keep the bottom from falling out of their team should they go “all in” once again like they did in 2021. It means there weren’t many true needs to fill in the draft, and so the team could consolidate picks in trades up for players they really wanted whether they will contribute immediately or lend important depth.
“When you have a roster where there’s players coming back with starting experience, playing experience, that definitely allows you to — it’s less wide-open spots,” said general manager Les Snead after the Rams made their final pick. “Now, I think if it would have been a draft … where you felt like the board would have given you 14 quality players, maybe you go that route. (But) if we would have brought in 14 draft pieces, probably a hard roster to make.”
With two first-round picks next spring, a young core and future starters or quality depth added in specific areas via this draft class, the Rams are building a healthier 2026 to cushion whatever the cost of this 2025 run ultimately will be.
The picks:
No. 46, tight end Terrance Ferguson: Ferguson has already drawn “lofty” but still-unproven comparisons from head coach Sean McVay to the early movement of Chris Cooley and Travis Kelce, who McVay either coached or scouted. It’s safe to say that Ferguson, the ultra-athletic and football-savvy former Oregon Duck was one of McVay’s favorite players in this draft class.
No. 90, outside linebacker Josaiah Stewart: Another smaller-school (Coastal Carolina) to large-school (Michigan) transfer similar to the makeup of the rest of their ascending young defensive line, Stewart may be able to fill the fifth rusher role in the “Cheetah” package and beyond that was left behind by Michael Hoecht in free agency. Stewart is a high-energy player who Snead was drawn to time and again on tape.
No. 117 (via trade up with Indianapolis), running back Jarquez Hunter: A first-team All-SEC back in 2024 who gives the room a little bit of a different skill set from starter Kyren Williams and backup Blake Corum, because of his breakaway speed and chunk-yardage ability. Like both backs, Hunter runs very hard. He has a background as a powerlifter who once squatted 655 pounds before his strength coach told him to stop adding weight.
No. 148 (via trade up with Chicago), DL Ty Hamilton: The Rams gave up a future fourth-round pick and No. 195 to secure former Ohio State nose tackle Hamilton, who can add depth there behind star free agent addition Poona Ford and has experience rushing the passer.
Fans obviously don’t have to agree with it, but the Rams’ method in this draft is clear: keep building along their defensive line in order to improve their second and third levels. The priority of this team this offseason on defense has been to shore up against the run and keep adding to the pass rush.
No. 172 (via trade up with Minnesota), ILB Chris Paul Jr.: Fans rejoice. Paul is the Pick who was Promised at middle linebacker and a player with high upside for a team still seeking its identity there following the trade of former starter Ernest Jones IV last summer. Paul is an urgent and savvy player who is a sound tackler — three traits needed in the middle of the Rams’ defense.
No. 242, WR Konata Mumpfield: Described by The Athletic draft analyst Dane Brugler as a “route-running craftsman”, Mumpfield has had three consecutive 500-plus yard seasons at Pitt and self-identifies as a film junkie who understands how to manipulate space.
Best value pick
Yes, the Rams traded up for Paul at inside linebacker, a position they have devalued over the last several years, but he should be on an eventual starters track for them when he arrives in Los Angeles. They waited for a personality and effort fit (alongside consistent tackling ability) and didn’t reach on the position despite entering the draft knowing that it was a need. Paul is the first inside linebacker drafted by the Rams since they picked Jones in the third round in 2021.
Size will be an issue, but all-out play style should translate
Most surprising pick
More surprising than any selection the Rams made were their efforts to go after players they liked, via three trades up. I got the sense from Snead that he wanted to attack this year’s draft in this way, considering its overall talent limitations and the value of players they liked in the middle and later rounds. Because the Rams rebuilt most of their roster through their last two drafts, they could afford to push upward for specific players if they saw that value. Snead often calls this “hitting doubles and triples.”
“I think it was, based on our roster (and) how the board was going, players that you were really convicted to come in and contribute (in) whatever that role was,” said Snead, “and (the board) was starting to get thin, so we said, ‘You know what, instead of letting 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.”
Biggest question mark
The Rams will generally pick up a running back each draft, but leaving their meeting with agent Drew Rosenhaus in March still apart on a number for a potential Williams extension plus their Hunter selection does raise questions as to whether that will ultimately get done — or put pressure on Williams’ camp.
The Rams are still thin at cornerback, especially in the Star/slot where they’ve been depending on a combination of cornerback Cobie Durant and safety Quentin Lake. I would not expect the team to be quite done fiddling with the roster at this position. They also need more depth along their offensive line, and with veteran starting right tackle Rob Havenstein coming off a minor shoulder procedure, that backup spot is in focus.
Post-draft outlook
From stockpiling an extra first-round pick with their trade Thursday night to adding players like Ferguson and Hunter, plus their moves in free agency this spring and a core built out of the 2023 and 2024 draft classes, it’s clear the Rams were looking to solidify the backbone of their roster so that if they do go “all in” to make another Super Bowl run, they have depth and a still-young future on the other side.
April 26, 2025 at 9:07 pm #156183
InvaderRamModeratorso what holes do they still have to fill?
corner?
oline depth?
maybe another wr?April 26, 2025 at 9:26 pm #156186znModeratorso what holes do they still have to fill?
corner?
oline depth?
maybe another wr?I still think they need a traditional 3/4 DE/5-tech type. They really mostly have NTs and 3-techs.
But yeah–corner, OT, and speed at WR.
April 26, 2025 at 11:55 pm #156188znModeratorApril 27, 2025 at 12:30 am #156189znModeratorThree takeaways from Sean McVay and Les Snead following Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft: Trading up three times on Saturday, Jarquez Hunter’s evaluation, more
Stu Jackson
VAN NUYS, Calif. – The Rams selected four players on Day 3 to round out a six-member 2025 NFL Draft class. In rounds 4-7 on Saturday, Los Angeles traded up three times to go after the players they wanted.
Afterward, head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead held a press conference with local media recapping those moves, their evaluations of running back Jarquez Hunter and inside linebacker Chris “Pooh” Paul Jr., and their overall thoughts on the class.
More on those key takeaways below.
As previously noted, the Rams moved up three times on Saturday to make their selections, coming away with Hunter in Round 4, then Paul and Ohio State defensive lineman Ty Hamilton in Round 5 before staying put to take Pitt wide receiver Konata Mumpfield at pick 242 in Round 7.
The overall six-man class is the smallest in the McVay-Snead era.
“I think it was, like you said, based on our roster, who we were, how the board was going, players that you really were convicted could come in and contribute, whatever that vision for the role was, and it was starting to get thin,” Snead said. “So we said, you know what, instead of wait and just, I call it, letting the draft happen to you, let’s go attack the draft. And when you do that, you have to give up some picks, but we thought that was the more appropriate thing to do.”
As Snead alluded to, the Rams did give up some of those extra selections in the process, including picks 201 and 202 in the sixth round and a 2026 fourth-round pick, but they ultimately felt it was justified.
“We’re all about competition, and we expect these six players to upgrade our roster,” McVay said.ul Jr. with 172nd pick in the 2025 NFL Draft
Hunter has “the ability to go through you or to be able to run away from you”
According to Football Insights (@fball_insights on X), Hunter’s career explosive run rate – defined by the account as runs of 10-plus yards – of 18.9% was second-highest among running backs in this year’s class.
It’s a trait the Rams certainly had an appreciation for.
McVay said Hunter has “the ability to go through you or to be able to run away from you,” and break off long runs.
“He can hit home runs for you too,” McVay said. “You give him a vertical seam, he’s got the ability to run away from you. I mean, some of the metrics that we have on him are really impressive.”
Too early to look ahead to 2026
One of the biggest headlines from this year’s draft was the Rams acquiring a 2026 first-round pick from the Falcons, giving Los Angeles two next year.
A reporter said it seemed like this was really about two drafts – this year and next year, rather than just this year alone. The Rams anticipated trading back, but not necessarily for a future first-round pick, according to Snead.
So, while the Rams seem well positioned for next year, it’s too early to think that far ahead.
“One year’s like dog years in coaching for me,” McVay said. “That’s a long way away.”
April 27, 2025 at 11:02 am #156199znModeratorLos Angeles Rams: B+
2 (46): TE Terrance Ferguson, OregonFerguson — With Tyler Higbee entering a contract year and coming off a tough injury, the Rams make a play toward the future with Ferguson. The Oregon tight end has the body type teams like to see out of the position, and although he is limited as a blocker, his overall athleticism gives him potential as a receiver (77.0 PFF receiving grade).
3 (90): ED Josaiah Stewart, Michigan
Stewart — Arguably the best pass-rushing defensive lineman in this draft class, Stewart posted a whopping 27.7% pass-rush win rate and a 92.3 PFF pass-rushing grade in 2024. He plays with violence and active hands and is an explosive athlete in a smaller, lighter frame.
4 (117): RB Jarquez Hunter, Auburn
Hunter — Jarquez Hunter was a four-year player for Auburn who steadily saw his usage increase year after year while never posting a season-long PFF rushing grade below 82.4. Hunter was a chain mover for the Tigers, rushing for 68 first downs in his senior season while forcing 59 missed tackles and was particularly dominant against Kentucky, rushing for 278 yards on 23 carries. He joins a crowded Rams backfield that features Kyren Williams and last year’s third-round selection, Blake Corum.
5 (148): DI Ty Hamilton, Ohio State
Hamilton — The fourth member of Ohio State’s championship defensive line to be selected, Ty Hamilton didn’t grade on the level of his counterparts. However, he is one of the best tacklers at the defensive tackle position, missing only 7% of his tackles this past season.
5 (172): LB Chris Paul Jr., Mississippi
Paul — Paul was the No. 83 prospect on the PFF Big Board, making this a great value pick for the Rams. He put together a well-rounded season for Ole Miss, finishing with an 84.6 PFF run-defense grade and an 84.0 pass-rush grade.
7 (242): WR Konata Mumpfield, Pittsburgh
Mumpfield — Mumpfield has the leaping ability to go up and get the ball. He played 899 career snaps out wide and 744 snaps in the slot, offering his next team valuable versatility. In 2024, he averaged 15.6 yards per reception and posted a 60.0% contested-catch rate.
April 27, 2025 at 11:04 am #156200znModeratorfrom SI: https://www.si.com/nfl/2025-nfl-draft-grades-analysis-for-every-team#_gsmxbb8cy
Los Angeles Rams
Grade: C• Round 2: No. 46: Terrance Ferguson, TE, Oregon
• Round 3: No. 90: Josaiah Stewart, edge, Michigan
• Round 4: No. 117: Jarquez Hunter, RB, Auburn
• Round 5: No. 148: Ty Hamilton, DT, Ohio State
• Round 5: No. 172: Chris Paul Jr., LB, Ole Miss
• Round 7: No. 242: Konata Mumpfield, WR, PittsburghAnalysis: The Rams’ best addition from the draft was gaining the Falcons’ 2026 first-round pick. Los Angeles didn’t do much to address a few holes to close the gap on the top teams in the NFC. Sure, the Rams are still good enough to win the NFC West, but they have concerns at cornerback and linebacker—and they watched the Eagles take Jihaad Campbell at No. 31. GM Les Snead deserves the benefit of the doubt for his draft hits, but he might have made a mistake taking Ferguson over Elijah Arroyo. The Rams also neglected their need for adding a quarterback of the future, but they at least have two first-round picks next year. —GM
April 27, 2025 at 11:05 am #156201znModeratorfrom Yahoo Sports: https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/article/2025-nfl-draft-picks-and-grades-for-all-32-teams-002713009.html#los-angeles-rams
Los Angeles Rams
Grade: AHere’s why: Picking up the Falcons’ 2026 first-round pick for this year’s 26th overall pick makes this an A by itself. Getting Terrance Ferguson in the second round was a nice way to kick off the draft with a quality starter who has the upside to be a weapon at tight end for Matthew Stafford this season. The Rams added some good depth on the edge of their defense with Josaiah Stewart, who should fit in cleanly with their other young edge rushers. Overall, it was a really different approach for the Rams in the draft this year that gives them a lot of firepower in terms of draft capital for the 2026 NFL Draft.
Most interesting pick: Jarquez Hunter, RB, Auburn
The Rams have spent a lot of draft picks on running backs over the past few years, and Hunter joins a somewhat crowded backfield with Kyren Williams and Blake Corum. Obviously, it’s not unusual for RBs on the third day of the draft to make an impact as rookies so it’ll be fascinating to see how head coach Sean McVay sees Hunter, who is a talented runner, fitting into the offense.
April 27, 2025 at 11:07 am #156202znModeratorfrom NFL.com: https://www.nfl.com/news/2025-nfl-draft-final-snap-grades-for-all-32-teams
Grade
B+
Los Angeles RamsGrades
Day 1 grade: A-
Day 2 grade: B+
Day 3 grade: C+Analysis:
Trading out of the first round gave the Rams a 2026 first-round pick, though it did cost them a Day 2 selection this year (in Round 3). Ferguson is the agile pass-catcher they needed at tight end. The Rams eschewed other needs to select Stewart, who is a good football player despite not possessing the size or athleticism of most pass rushers.
Hunter is a solid value in the fourth but might have to wait a while behind Kyren Williams and Blake Corum. Trading a 2026 fourth-round pick to select a good rotational tackle like Hamilton seemed unwise. L.A. needed a linebacker and receiver; Paul and Mumpfield have better tape than measurements or workout numbers.April 27, 2025 at 11:09 am #156203znModeratorLos Angeles Rams (B)
Not especially sexy, but second-round TE Terrance Ferguson, third-round OLB Josaiah Stewart and fourth-round RB Jarquez Hunter should all be able to claim instant roles on a team that could be the biggest threat to the Eagles in the NFC next season. But the big win was GM Les Snead obtaining the Falcons’ first-rounder in 2026, which he might need for QB Matthew Stafford’s successor.April 27, 2025 at 11:15 am #156204znModeratorfrom PFF: Josaiah Stewart, Michigan
Arguably the best pass-rushing defensive lineman in this draft class
LB Chris Paul Jr., Mississippi
Paul was the No. 83 prospect on the PFF Big Board, making this a great value pick for the Rams.
A couple of notable comments.
April 27, 2025 at 3:40 pm #156206
HramParticipantThanks for pointing that out. As I was reading through the draft analysis, I was trying to figure out the reason behind the couple of commentators who stated we needed help at linebacker, when We drafted help at linebacker… 🙂
April 27, 2025 at 3:50 pm #156207znModeratorLos Angeles Rams: B
Best Pick: I love third-round edge Josaiah Stewart from Michigan. He is as tough as any player in this draft. Getting him in the third will prove to be a steal.Worst Pick: It’s not any one pick, but rather that they didn’t get a speed player outside early for their offense. They lack speed in their passing game, which they didn’t get. They didn’t take a receiver until the seventh round.
The Skinny: They traded out of the first round to land a 2026 first-round pick from the Falcons. That’s a different approach for them, but it made sense. I do like second-round tight end Terrance Ferguson and Stewart. Both will be good players. Fifth-round linebacker Chris Paul is a good player.
April 27, 2025 at 4:58 pm #156208znModeratorColin Cowherd says the Rams fleeced the Falcons by landing a 2026 1st-round pick for James Pearce Jr. 👀
"I feel like LA took Atlanta to the cleaners, in a bad draft for the fifth best edge rusher" Do you agree?#RamsHouse pic.twitter.com/PDBDeiAkzA
— LAFB Network (@LAFBNetwork) April 27, 2025
April 27, 2025 at 9:12 pm #156218
ZooeyModerator“I think it was, like you said, based on our roster, who we were, how the board was going, players that you really were convicted could come in and contribute, whatever that vision for the role was, and it was starting to get thin,” Snead said. “So we said, you know what, instead of wait and just, I call it, letting the draft happen to you, let’s go attack the draft. And when you do that, you have to give up some picks, but we thought that was the more appropriate thing to do.”
Les should just come out and say that Nicole Blake told him what to do, and he did it.
April 27, 2025 at 9:20 pm #156219ZooeyModeratorHunter joins a somewhat crowded backfield with Kyren Williams and Blake Corum.
I saw nothing from Blake Corum last season that leads me to believe I will remember his name in 5 years.
April 28, 2025 at 11:32 am #156228znModeratorfrom https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6313395/2025/04/26/nfl-draft-2025-overall-winners-losers/
The Rams’ draft wizardry
After not making a first-round pick in seven years, the Los Angeles Rams nailed their selection last April, grabbing edge rusher Jared Verse.
They were back in character this year, moving out of the first round in a trade with the Atlanta Falcons. The payoff could be substantial: To move back 20 spots, the Rams acquired Atlanta’s first-round pick for 2026, which could be a top-10 selection. Impressive work from general manager Les Snead and coach Sean McVay.
Los Angeles, which wanted to move up to draft Brock Bowers last year, found an option at tight end in this draft in Terrance Ferguson, a four-year starter out of Oregon who could become a perfect complement in the middle of the field to the 1-2 punch on the outside in Davante Adams and Puka Nacua. A former basketball player, Ferguson figures to be a reliable, rangy target for Matthew Stafford, and maybe another chess piece McVay can exploit.
With Stafford now 37, the Rams would be wise to add a younger passer who can carry the torch whenever he decides to retire. Having an additional first-round pick in what’s expected to be a far deeper quarterback draft next spring will give them ample opportunity.
April 28, 2025 at 12:35 pm #156234znModeratorfrom Albert Breer, NFL Draft Takeaways: https://www.si.com/nfl/nfl-draft-takeaways-honest-discussion-about-shedeur-sanders#_9fxxqutf5
Los Angles Rams
The Rams’ bet in this year’s draft is on their own evaluations. As we mentioned above, Los Angeles did sniff around on trading into the top 10 with a focus on getting another offensive weapon—if they got to No. 8, McMillan, and the top two tight ends, Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland, would’ve been there. And just because they didn’t pull off that move up doesn’t mean they weren’t able to accomplish what they were aiming to do.
They just went about it in a wildly different way.
Instead of going up for McMillan, Ohio State receiver Emeka Egbuka and North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton (all of whom may have, in certain scenarios, slipped to them), the Rams dealt down. The haul they got from the Atlanta Falcons, who were coming up for James Pearce Jr., speaks for itself. To move down 20 spots, and turn a third-rounder into a seventh, they picked up a 2026 first-round pick.
The interesting thing, though, is that only five skill guys (wide receivers Jayden Higgins and Luther Burden III, RBs TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, TE Mason Taylor) went between 26 and 46. And I’m not sure the Rams would have valued any of them, save for probably Henderson, over Oregon tight end Terrance Ferguson, whom they plucked with the second-rounder they landed from Atlanta.
Here’s the other thing—the Rams have been looking for this kind of player for a few years now. Two years ago, without a first-round pick, they looked at trading back into the bottom of the first round for Utah TE Dalton Kincaid, who’s becoming a difference-maker now for the Buffalo Bills. Then, last year, they aggressively pursued a trade up in the first round for Brock Bowers, who became a star almost right away with the Raiders.
Ferguson is the same sort of ultra-athletic move tight end, if not quite the level of prospect that Bowers and Kincaid were coming out. So the blueprint’s been drawn up for Ferguson for a couple of years now, and the Rams finally get to unfurl those plans.
It should be fun to see what comes next.
April 28, 2025 at 1:09 pm #156235znModeratorWhy the Super Bowl-ready Rams may have won the 2025 NFL draft
Gary Klein
The Rams made no splashy selections.
None of the six players general manager Les Snead and coach Sean McVay chose will be penciled in as opening-game starters.
They spent three days filling out a roster that was already Super Bowl ready.
But the Rams, arguably, won the 2025 NFL draft.
And set themselves up to possibly win next year’s draft as well.
Snead protege James Gladstone, the first-year general manager of the Jacksonville Jaguars, made headlines on the first night of the draft by trading up to take cornerback/receiver Travis Hunter with the second overall pick.
But when Snead later traded to the Atlanta Falcons what for the Rams was a fairly meaningless No. 26 pick, the Rams stunningly received in return a No. 1 pick in 2026.
That means the Rams, who one day in the not-so-distant future must replace veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford, will have two first-round picks next year in a draft that could include Texas quarterback Arch Manning and others.
That means Snead — who famously uttered “F them picks” after building a Super Bowl championship team in 2021 — will have plenty of draft capital to wheel and deal with for a prospect or an established player.
And few general managers deal like Snead.
Next April marks the 10th anniversary of Snead trading up a record 14 picks to select quarterback Jared Goff with the No. 1 pick in the 2016 draft.
That deal required the Rams to give up their first-round pick, two second-round picks and a third-round pick that year and a 2017 first-round and third-round pick.
Two years later the Rams were in the Super Bowl.
In 2019, Snead packaged two first-round picks in a deal for cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Two years later the Rams won the Super Bowl.
They did that, of course, after Snead sent Goff — and two first-round draft picks — to the Detroit Lions in a 2021 trade for Stafford.
This season the Rams are expected to make another deep run in the playoffs. And if Thursday night’s trade helps the Falcons make the playoffs, the Rams’ first-round picks next year could be in the bottom third of the draft.
Regardless, it is valuable draft capital.
And if the Falcons or Rams falter, the Rams could end up with a pick in the top third.
Not that McVay acknowledged his anticipation.
“One year’s like dog years to me in coaching,” he said, chuckling, “That’s a long way away.”
After making that trade on the first night of the draft, the Rams spent Friday and Saturday augmenting a talented roster with their fewest selections since the Goff trade left them with only six in 2016.
They took Oregon tight end Terrance Ferguson in the second round, Michigan outside linebacker Josaiah Stewart in the third, Auburn running back Jarquez Hunter in the fourth, Ohio State defensive tackle Ty Hamilton and Mississippi linebacker Chris Paul Jr. in the fifth and Pittsburgh receiver Konata Mumpfield in the seventh.
The Rams traded up three times.
“We said, ‘instead of waiting,’ and I call it, let the draft happen to you, ‘let’s go attack the draft,’” Snead said. “And when you do that you have to give up some picks. But we thought that was the more appropriate thing to do.”
No, the Rams did not draft a cornerback.
But that only makes it more apparent that a potential reunion with Ramsey might be imminent.
Coming on the heels of the Rams’ success in the previous two drafts, this class projects to include multiple contributors for a team that advanced to the NFC divisional round last season before losing to the eventual Super Bowl-champion Philadelphia Eagles.
With Stafford entering his 17th NFL season, and rising stars such as receiver Puka Nacua, Kobie Turner, Jared Verse and other young players soon becoming eligible for extensions, the Rams are going all in next season.
And they will do the same in 2026, when the NFL season will end with Super Bowl LXI at SoFi Stadium.
April 28, 2025 at 3:49 pm #156241
wvParticipantMina on the atlanta trade, at the 52 minute mark
April 28, 2025 at 7:00 pm #156249znModeratorMina on the atlanta trade, at the 52 minute mark
She makes a “Monkey’s Paw” allusion.
April 28, 2025 at 7:39 pm #156252ZooeyModeratorApril 28, 2025 at 8:08 pm #156253znModeratorMina on the atlanta trade, at the 52 minute mark
She makes a “Monkey’s Paw” allusion.
Well…”Mina Kimes holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in English from Yale University. She graduated summa cum laude in 2007.”
And look at where she ended up. See? Humanities degrees don’t get you anywhere.
…
April 28, 2025 at 8:56 pm #156257wvParticipanthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Monkey%27s_Paw
Lotta adaptations of that story. Buffy. The Simpsons. Stephen King. Orson Welles.w
vApril 28, 2025 at 9:27 pm #156260ZooeyModeratorThis is what happens when you let English majors talk about football. They should stay in their lane.
Mina Kimes makes only $1.7 million a year from ESPN talking football. Imagine what she could make if she focused on turn-of-the-century, one-hit wonders like Jacobs, and Saki, and O. Henry.
May 1, 2025 at 11:50 pm #156303znModeratorMay 2, 2025 at 3:55 am #156305znModeratorTheme of Rams’ 2025 draft: Production and skill set trump measurables
Wyatt Miller
https://www.therams.com/news/theme-of-rams-2025-draft-production-and-skill-set-over-measurables
Rams head coach Sean McVay said it after Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft: “The tape speaks to you.” And with good tape often comes high-end production.
The average Next Gen Stats production score for Rams draft picks was the ninth-highest in the NFL (only counting the first seven or fewer picks for each team). It was the highest among teams whose average draft selection with those picks was 120 or more.
The Rams valued production in the 2025 NFL Draft.
They didn't end up with high draft capital, but they picked players with high Next Gen Stats production scores, especially relative to their average selection. pic.twitter.com/ABvgMmLQqi
— Wyatt Miller (@wymill07) May 1, 2025
That production wasn’t arbitrary – it was often geared toward specific areas of need for a Rams team that is knocking on the door of a Super Bowl. Here’s a breakdown of every pick and their proven skill sets that could add immediate value to the Rams’ roster.
TE Terrance Ferguson, Oregon
Ferguson’s reception and yards numbers increased in all four of his collegiate seasons. But his 9.0 yards after catch per reception last season, which led the FBS among qualified tight ends, is what stood out.
Athleticism and a proclivity for the slot, where Ferguson took 42% of his pass snaps last season, adds the potential for versatility. McVay has stated that as a goal for a Rams offense that has increased its usage of 12 personnel (two tight ends) in recent years. There were tight ends available that were higher on the consensus draft boards created by media, but Ferguson provides a specific skill set that can uniquely serve the Rams’ offensive objectives in 2025.
“It allows us to be able to explore maybe doing some different things,” McVay said.
OLB Josaiah Stewart, Michigan
Stewart has second percentile height, 13th percentile weight and a 30th percentile wingspan, according to mockdraftable, which measures against draft prospects at the same position since 1999. But he can flat-out play.
Stewart had the highest pass rush win rate (27.7%) among qualified edge rushers last season by a wide margin, which led to team-leading sack (8.5) and tackle for loss (13) numbers. That production and the intangibles that led to it were clearly more important to Los Angeles than his measurements.
New Rams OLB Josaiah Stewart was in a league of his own last season when it came to the combination of volume and win rate off the edge.
Stewart was the only EDGE with 195+ pass rush snaps to have a win rate over 25%, winning on 27.7% of his 217 opportunities. pic.twitter.com/QGNZLkidG2
— Wyatt Miller (@wymill07) April 28, 2025
Less-than-ideal size has never stopped Los Angeles from drafting and developing defensive linemen into elite players, evidenced by Braden Fiske and Aaron Donald.
“Short, speed and bend based outside rusher with short arms who routinely gets the job done in his niche role,” wrote CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso, who gave the pick an “A” grade. “Quality hand work and his burst is impressive enough to threaten NFL OTs on a reasonably routine basis.”
RB Jarquez Hunter, Auburn
Hunter’s physical measurements may not have jumped off the page, but his stats certainly did. In fact, his small and compact frame (5-foot-9, 204 pounds) actually helped him keep his legs churning through contact and burst through small holes with blazing speed.
The Rams’ 37 explosive rushes (10-plus yards) last season ranked 29th in the NFL. Meanwhile, Hunter had 42 such runs on his own last season (eighth in the FBS), and his career-long explosive run rate of 18.9% ranked second in this draft class.
“He’s got the ability to go through you or to be able to run away from you,” McVay said.
New Rams running back Jarquez Hunter had the 2nd-highest explosive rush rate (10+ yards) among FBS backs with 150+ carries in 2024.
That skill set will be a welcome addition to a Rams backfield that had the 4th-fewest explosive rushes in the NFL last season. pic.twitter.com/VETjNbrxVl
— Wyatt Miller (@wymill07) April 28, 2025
DT Ty Hamilton, Ohio State
After losing both Bobby Brown III and Neville Gallimore in free agency, the Rams needed to reinforce the nose tackle (NT) position. Hamilton does just that as a stout run stopper, despite all his size percentiles falling between 21st and 36th. Free agent signing Poona Ford will likely fill the starting role, but Hamilton is a nice rotational piece who fits the Rams’ scheme.
Trapasso described him as a “NT type who can get across the line of scrimmage thanks to quality athleticism for his size.”
New Rams DT Ty Hamilton specialized in run stopping last season during Ohio State's national championship run.
He had similar run tackling/stop efficiency to fellow Buckeyes DT Tyleik Williams, who went in Round 1. pic.twitter.com/c1claF73ug
— Wyatt Miller (@wymill07) April 29, 2025
ILB Chris “Pooh” Paul Jr., Ole Miss
The Rams haven’t drafted an inside linebacker as high as Paul (172nd) since Ernest Jones IV in 2021. He’s another player who fell due to underwhelming measurables, but his production score of 72 was the sixth-best at his position, and his tackling statistics were even more impressive. Los Angeles needed more competition among run stoppers in the middle of the defense, and they got that in Paul.
“If Paul were an inch taller with long arms, he’d have been off the board much earlier than this,” Trapasso wrote. “… Tackling reliability and zone-coverage awareness are spectacular. Even flashed in man coverage. Smart, cerebral player without big-time workout on his resume. Can eat behind this Rams defensive front.”
New Rams ILB Chris "Pooh" Paul Jr. was the most efficient tackler among drafted ILBs last season.
He had the best stop rate (a tackle constituting an unsuccessful play for the offense) and missed tackle rate among the 19 players drafted at his position. pic.twitter.com/QOcdpGlMpS
— Wyatt Miller (@wymill07) April 28, 2025
WR Konata Mumpfield, Pittsburgh
At 5-foot-11, 186 pounds, Mumpfield is another undersized player who excelled in specific areas at Pittsburgh. He may be small, but Mumpfield is not afraid to take hits over the middle. He finished the 2024 season with the second-most intermediate receiving yards in the ACC (363) and 25th-most in the FBS.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford’s 107 attempts to the intermediate area ranked 12th in the 2024 regular season.
May 2, 2025 at 5:05 am #156306znModeratorChris Trapasso … taken from several articles:
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2025-nfl-draft-grades-for-all-32-teams-tom-bradys-raiders-understand-the-assignment-bengals-underwhelming/
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2025-nfl-draft-grades-for-round-2-saints-get-c-for-tyler-shough-selection-bears-earn-a-for-luther-burden/
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2025-nfl-draft-grades-for-round-3-seahawks-earn-a-for-jalen-milroe-pick-browns-get-c-for-dillon-gabriel/
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2025-nfl-draft-grades-for-round-4-giants-earn-a-for-cameron-skattebo-chiefs-commanders-get-steals/
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2025-nfl-draft-grades-for-round-5-browns-earn-a-for-stopping-shedeur-sanders-slide/General manager Les Snead’s history provides so much confidence in his drafting talent. Moving back, getting that extra first-round pick in the 2026 draft… spectacular. Then nabbing my TE2 in this class, Ferguson in the second… magnificent.
Stewart can jump right into a speed-rushing specialist role immediately on this already uber-deep front, and Hunter gave me legit Kyren Williams vibes on film. Paul lacks in size and counters with cerebral, well-polished play. Not flashy. Just shrewd selections and draft navigation galore.
Grade: A
46. Rams: Terrance Ferguson, TE, Oregon
Grade: AMy TE2. Big, functional athleticism. High-level run-after-catch ability. Quality blocker too. Has enough smoothness to separate. Will be fun down the seam with Matthew Stafford early in his career. Underrated prospect. Great pick.
90. Rams: Josaiah Stewart, EDGE, Michigan
Grade: AThink Nick Herbig. Short, speed and bend based outside rusher with short arms who routinely gets the job done in his niche role. Quality hand work and his burst is impressive enough to threaten NFL OTs on a reasonably routine basis. Unsurprisingly has a ways to go vs. the run. More pass-rushing talent on this Rams roster should be a scary thought for NFC West clubs.
117. Rams: Jarquez Hunter, RB, Auburn
Grade: AChiseled, high-energy, super-productive SEC RB with the cutting skill and contact balance to thrive in the NFL. Vision of an experienced runner. Sharp cuts. Love his North-South approach. Another smart Rams selection. My comparison was ironically Kyren Williams.
148. Rams: Ty Hamilton, DT, Ohio State
Grade: B-One of the unsung heroes up front for Ohio State during national title run. NT type who can get across the line of scrimmage thanks to quality athleticism for his size. Wants to bully interior blockers with power and can eat doubles for breakfast. Length deficiency is an issue when trying to disengage and doesn’t have pass-rush moves ready to go. Not dissimilar from Tyler Davis pick a few years ago.
172. Rams: Chris Paul Jr., LB, Ole Miss
Grade: B+If Paul were an inch taller with long arms, he’d have been off the board much earlier than this. The length-deficiency does create major problems for him when trying to defeat blocks en route to the football. Tackling reliability and zone-coverage awareness are spectacular. Even flashed in man coverage. Smart, cerebral player without big-time workout on his resume. Can eat behind this Rams defensive front.
May 2, 2025 at 12:47 pm #156308znModerator -
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