Jordan Waters stands out in the Rams running back room

Undrafted free agent boasts size and athleticism

Since Todd Gurley flamed out, the Los Angeles Rams have had a mold at running back. On the smaller side, 5’8 or just above and weighing 200 to 210 lb. While that puts L.A. on the outer fringe of the NFL averages, today’s NFL running backs are generally smaller. The trend follows the uptick in passing and highlights the need for receiving skills to complement running out of the backfield.

In the 2025 NFL Draft last week, L.A. drafted RB Jarquez Hunter at #117, and at 5’ 9” 204 lb. he’s right at home size-wise in the Rams running back room. However, later in the process L.A. also added a bigger back to the unit of smaller frames, signing Jordan Waters out of North Carolina State as an undrafted free agent (UDFA). Let’s look at him.

Jordan Waters – North Carolina St. 6’ 222 lb. – 32 2/3” arms 9 5/8” hands

Pro Day: 1.48/4.50 forty – 7.06 shuttle – 4.33 3cone – 33.5 vert – 10’ broad – 17 bench

Recruited as a three-star quarterback/wide receiver, Waters signed with Duke and played five seasons with the BlueDevils before entering North Carolina State for his final season as a graduate transfer. He wasn’t used much in his first three Duke years, but broke through in 2022 and 23 for 21 starts in 26 games and was named offensive MVP for the latter. All told, Waters logged 333 carries for 1690 yards at 5.1 per tote, with 23 touchdowns. He added 32 receptions for 314 yards and another score.

Waters won the starting role for NCST, but was part of a three-deep rotation. He missed Week 7, lost his starting job and averaged single-digit carries over the final five games. The numbers for his final season were 95 carries for 470 yards and four touchdowns while chipping in 15 catches. 167 yards, and another score.

Has a well put together frame with very good overall athleticism (8.63 RAS). He’s a power back, but not in the traditional sense. Waters doesn’t get behind his pads and drive through tacklers, he has an upright running style. He does run right through arm tackles, but uses his contact balance and slides off/through defenders who don’t get a good piece of him. He keeps his legs churning, spins, and has a good stiff arm.

Even though his running style is reminiscent of a one-cut zone runner, he looks like a fit into the Rams duo and inside zone scheme, showing very good patience and vision to press the line of scrimmage and find the correct holes. As you can see by his 10 yard split, shuttle and 3cone numbers, Waters has strong short area agility, burst, balance, and change of direction. His forty time is pedestrian, but on film, he looks to play much faster. At the college level, he showed the juice to break it outside and get around the corner.

Ran simple pass routes, predominantly check downs, swings, and screens. Good hand catcher and transitions quickly. Open field running is linear, more swervy than cuts-based. Blocking is okay, good technically, but he plays too upright to really deliver a blow. He’ll get blown up against bigger NFL competition.

Can Jordan Waters make the Rams roster?

If he was competing with just Cody Schrader and Ronnie Rivers, there might be a case to make at RB#3. But unless something really goes awry with the triumvirate of Kyren Williams, Blake Corum, and Jarquez Hunter, Waters’ only battle will for a practice squad role. That’s just too much draft pedigree to overcome. I couldn’t find any film of him on special teams, something that could raise his chances. He will likely see a lot of work in preseason games.

Jordan Waters played as part of a rotation throughout his career, there’s plenty of tread on those tires. He’s a well-rounded, high effort player that was an effective running back in a good league. He’s flashed on tape and there’s plenty out there to see, but now needs to show that his game can transfer to the pro’s. He turns 25 in December.

Fun fact: L.A. starts 2025 with four players from North Carolina State on the roster: RB Waters, S Tanner Ingle, DT Larrell Muchison, and C Dylan McMahon.