Rams pinpoint their 2025 draft selections

Les Snead and Sean McVay appear confident in their roster

In their smallest draft class since 2016, the Los Angeles Rams brought home six players. That 2016 class was also six prospects and was dominated by the move up to #1 overall to grab quarterback Jared Goff. It was a completely different case in 2025, with the Rams making subtle moves to pinpoint certain players and buildup areas they deemed in need. A best player available at positions of need approach.

General Manager Les Snead said of the approach:

… 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. 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 the each round.”

Head coach Sean McVay added:

“… you say you never want to chase for a need but the draft did kind of unfold and then you’re aggressive in pursuit of some players that you like…It’s six players that we have a lot of appreciation for [and] you’re not reaching.”

Many Rams fans thought the cornerback position could/should be upgraded and that did not come to pass. Rather than a miss, maybe it was we fans not reading the room. Entering the draft, L.A. had 10 cornerback’s under contract, all three starters back from last year, and added a former #1 draft pick late in the season. The only buzz about the position was about the possible reunion with Jalen Ramsey. In retrospect, it was quite clear that the Rams braintrust is quite comfortable with the cornerback room.

In fact, listening to the Snead/McVay post-draft presser, they both come off as very assured of the roster. Before and after the draft. When asked about whether all the young players added to the roster and gaining experience in the past drafts were part of the decision process to bring in a smaller, more focused group, McVay said:

“I mean the question and from some of the things that we’ve done, you’re really saying,‘Okay, the players that you’re choosing, what’s the vision? How do you anticipate them contributing not only for the ‘53’ [53 man roster] but for the 48 [active players on gameday]. Are you going to be active?’ Obviously, there are a lot of things that take place that we can’t control, but I do think it’s a credit to what’s taken place over the last couple years. I think in a lot of instances because of some of the circumstances and situations that we’ve had, there’s a patience that we’ve had and that we’ve learned as coaches to give guys an opportunity to come in.”

Snead was more definite that drafting fewer players was dependent on how few open roles the Rams actually have, saying:

“…that plays a part when you have a roster where there are players coming back and returning with starting experience and playing experience… I would say [there are] less ‘wide open’ spots… if it might have been a draft where you felt like the board could have given you 14 quality players, maybe you go that route. Again, if we would’ve brought in 14 draftees, it’s probably a hard roster to make though.”

Under the Snead/McVay regime, draftees have normally been given plenty of time to develop and earlier in his tenure, McVay was known to bring rookies along slowly. That has changed in the past couple of draft classes. Most of that can be explained away by the Rams fast and loose attitude towards draft picks during the original rebuild and now L.A. is holding on to their higher draft capital.

Did the Rams improve the 2025 roster?

Yes, incrementally.

Before the draft, I queried in these forums, if L.A. would shoot for playmakers or try to fortify the roster. The Rams chose the latter. While not sexy, they produced a utilitarian group that all have high floors and should be able to provide some value right away. While there no sure fire All-Pro’s, five of the six appear ready to compete in rotations/packages.

L.A. took another step forward on defense. The best pass defense is getting after the passer, a journeyman grade secondary unit can be raised by getting opposing QB’s off their spot. Getting Josaiah Stewart at E#3 should pay some dividends right away, he’s not gifted athletically but his tape is explosive and he can certainly rush the passer. Chris Paul at ILB#2 can help in three ways, he’s athletic enough to play in coverage, a physical tackler with great range, and can blitz. Improving on the overall linebacking play can he supported by a bigger, stronger interior. Ty Hamilton is not huge but has a squatty build and stellar strength. He was the “dirty work” guy on a very good college defensive line.

On offense it was about becoming more versatile and getting the offense back to a high-octane unit. Terrance Ferguson at TE#2 has the juice to work the seams downfield, is a good screen target, and is dangerous turning short passes into gains. Sure, his blocking needs work, but in today’s NFL and the Rams quick downhill run scheme, just being able to seal off is considered okay if you can catch and run. Jarquez Hunter at RB#2 is a hard-nosed SEC runner with some breakaway upside. The Rams love Kyren William’ toughness, but Hunter is nails too and could push for reps.

When you combine this draft with the L.A. offseason roster moves, there’s incremental improvement on both sides of the ball and at all three levels of each.