Shining some light on Sean McVay’s 8-year draft history
The Los Angeles Rams are currently armed with eight draft selections in the 2025 NFL Draft. The team has managed to plug a number of holes via re-signing in-house free agents. With there being few glaring needs, this begs the question of how Los Angeles will navigate their draft boards. Will they draft in the 1st round for a second consecutive year after nailing their pick last year with Jared Verse? As an offensive minded coach, will Sean McVay continue to show preference to that side of the ball? Here are a few important themes to consider as LA finalizes their draft board…
In case you needed a reminder of our 2025 Draft picks pic.twitter.com/fuTuFa33r2
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) March 25, 2025
With the First Selection in Previous Drafts…
• Offense: 6 picks
Les Snead and Sean McVay have leaned heavily towards offensive players with their first selection; choosing Gerald Everett (2017), Joseph Noteboom (2018), Cam Akers (2020), Tutu Atwell (2021), Logan Bruss (2022), and Steve Avila (2023).
LA struggled consistently throughout the 2024 season to put up points; finishing 20th in the league in scoring. Sean McVay emphasized entering the offseason that the team wanted to diversify their ability on the offensive side of the ball. It would not be surprising in the least bit if LA were to target a RB, WR, or TE with its first selection. Not to mention, if a quarterback falls in the draft, LA has been identified as a dark horse candidate to select one in that event. Prospects like Ashton Jeanty, Omarion Hampton, Colston Loveland, Tyler Warren, Matthew Golden, or Emeka Egbuka could reignite the offense to the levels that we once saw in 2017-2018 and 2021.
• Defense: 2 picks
Taylor Rapp was the first Rams player taken by Snead & McVay in the 2019 NFL Draft. Initially armed with a first round pick, the Rams traded back twice in the 2019 draft and ultimately took the Washington Husky safety with the 61st overall selection.
The only other “first-pick” defensive selection by Los Angeles was this past year when the Rams finally used a first round pick on Jared Verse; taking the star edge rusher at 19th overall out of Florida State.
The Rams defense endured life without Aaron Donald in 2024; finishing 17th in points allowed per game. The group excelled as the season wore on with many labeling the Rams front as the best in the NFL. Do Sean McVay and Les Snead want to add further pieces to a young and developing defense in order to become a dominant force in the NFL for years to come? If there is a hole amongst the group, it would be at inside linebacker after the team declined to re-sign Christian Rozeboom and Troy Reeder. The organization did sign Nate Landman. But finding an inside linebacker that can come downhill in the run game and can blanket assignments in the passing game could turn Chris Shula’s defense into something similar to what the Philadelphia Eagles have with Zach Baun in Vic Fangio’s system.
Prediction: Rams select offense first (Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan)
Selections by Position…
• Quarterback – 1
• Running Back – 6
• Fullback – 1
• Wide Receiver – 8
• Offensive Line – 11
• Defensive Line – 10
• Linebacker – 3
• Edge Rusher – 13
• Cornerback – 5
• Safety – 8
• Special Teams – 3
The Rams have spent the majority of their selections on Edge Rushers across the last eight drafts. After experimenting with a number of late round selections over the first six seasons, Rams have found their duo in Byron Young (2023 3rd round pick) and Jared Verse (2024 1st round pick). It would seem unlikely for the team to draft an Edge Rusher this year with the team already having five players of that position under contract. But…never say never.
Unsurprisingly, the offensive line and defensive line have been drafted second and third most. Considering the number of players required for the trenches, the number of picks used on either side makes logical sense.
Based on how certain prospects and positions are taking shape, I believe Los Angeles will take advantage of this year’s defensive backs. The following are free agents after the 2025 season: Cobie Durant, Akhello Witherspoon, Derion Kendrick, Quentin Lake, and Kam Curl. That leaves Kameron Kinchens, Darious Williams, Emmanuel Forbes, and Jaylen McCullough as the only defensive backs with NFL experience.
Projection: Rams add three defensive backs in 2025 class
On Day 1 & 2, how long do the Rams wait in between picks…
• 2017: 25 spots
• 2018: N/A
• 2019: 18 spots
• 2020: 27 spots
• 2021: 46 spots
• 2022: N/A
• 2023: 41 spots
• 2024: 44 spots
As it stands right now for Day 1 & 2, the Rams have picks #26, #90, and #100. There will be a 64 pick gap between the Rams first round selection and their first of two selections in round three. With nearly a “two-round” hiatus, it would seem that the Rams would try to minimize the gap between picks. There two options would be to either 1) trade back from 26th overall or 2) trade up from 90th overall. LA already moved up last year in Round 2 to draft Braden Fiske; making it less likely to make an identical move in 2025. The Rams are no stranger to trading back to ensure that they can attack the middle rounds of the draft. After all, that is where they have found their “fortune” with the likes of: Braden Fiske, Steve Avila, Byron Young, Kobie Turner, Puka Nacua, and Kyren Williams to name a few.
Prediction: Rams trade back from 26th overall (plus 195th overall) with Buffalo Bills, acquiring: 30th overall, 56th overall, and 132nd overall. With the move the Rams will only wait a max of 34 spots between picks (56th to 90th).
