Which Rams rookies could contribute early in their careers?
There is always a lot of excitement when it comes to new rookies joining their teams and that is no exception with the Los Angeles Rams. While they only made six selections, there is already a lot of hype around tight end Terrance Ferguson and linebacker Chris Paul Jr. With that said, it’s also important to temper expectations with a new rookie class. That’s especially the case with this particular Rams class as it seems to have been approached with more of a future mindset than the now. There may not be a Puka Nacua or Kobie Turner in this group of players. Here are the Rams rookies ranked in terms of having the best path to contribute early.
1. LB Chris Paul Jr.
This isn’t to say that Chris Paul Jr. is going to be the starter next to Omar Speights in Week 1. It wouldn’t be surprising if that was Nate Landman or even Troy Reeder. However, Paul is a player that should be able to find a role on special teams. By the time the Rams come off of their bye week in Week 9, he could find himself in the starting lineup.
Back in 2021, Ernest Jones was a third round pick and didn’t make his first start until Week 8 and was consistently in the starting lineup following the Week 11 bye. Paul could follow a similar timeline. At the end of the day, he was still a fifth-round pick for a reason. That’s not to say that he’s not a good player. Still, he could be the next Puka Nacua or the next Brennan Jackson. There will likely be a developmental period as he adjusts to the NFL. However, the path to a starting role is there given the state of the Rams linebacker room.
2. TE Terrance Ferguson
Unlike past rookie tight ends such as Brycen Hopkins and Davis Allen, Ferguson may see a quicker path to playing time. Not only was he a high second round pick, but it appears that the Rams may shift the identity of the offense slightly. Whereas Hopkins and Allen have been expected to block in-line, that may not be the case for Ferguson. He will be expected to block, but more in the same way that Kupp was asked. Ferguson will be a big slot in the offense as Sean McVay potentially moves to more 12 personnel looks.
It will really come down to how well Ferguson picks up the offense. If he picks up the nuances of the offense quickly, the Rams may find it difficult to take him off of the field. As a rookie, Gerald Everett took 28.8 percent of the team’s offensive snaps and Ferguson could end up in a similar range. The Rams will likely still primarily run 11 personnel with Tyler Higbee as the featured tight end. However, when the Rams do go to two tight ends, that’s when Ferguson will see his chances.
3. EDGE Josaiah Stewart
How often Stewart sees the field early in his career will depend on how much he can be trusted in the run game. Stewart can certainly be a rotational pass rusher, but his smaller size could make him an immediate liability on early downs against the run. The Rams also have two starting edge rushers in Byron Young and Jared Verse who should see a majority of the playing time.
Defensive coordinator Chris Shula did use a good amount of three edge rusher packages, but most of those came in obvious passing situations and on third down when they can overload one side. Stewart was one of the better pass rushers at Michigan last year, but that seems to be where his immediate role would be. It’s also worth noting that the Rams do have a more experienced player in Nick Hampton. These two will compete for that spot in training camp, but don’t be surprised if Stewart is more of a pick for 2026 than 2025.
4. RB Jarquez Hunter
Coming into the offseason, the Rams needed a different type of running back in the backfield. They did just that when they traded up to draft Jarquez Hunter in the fourth round. Hunter should bring the 4.4 speed that the Rams lacked at times last season from the running back position.
At the same time, McVay typically hasn’t utilized rookie running backs. Darrell Henderson got 39 carries as a rookie while Blake Corum got 58. Kyren Williams is the primary running back in the offense and Corum will be expected to take a jump heading into year two. If Hunter can prove his value in pass protection, that will lead to him seeing offensive snaps. While there is some excitement around the Auburn running back, he could be more of a contingency plan in 2026 if the Rams are unable or unwilling to bring back Williams on an extension.
5. DL Ty Hamilton
The Rams added to their defensive line depth when they traded up for Ty Hamilton. Hamilton certainly fills a need as a run-stopping defensive lineman. He ranked inside the top-15 in both run stops and run-stop percentage last season. However, it will still be an uphill battle for playing time.
It’s possible that Hamilton could rotate with Braden Fiske. Still, this is a defensive line with Kobie Turner, Poona Ford, Tyler Davis, and Larrell Murchison as part of the rotation. Desjuan Johnson has made an impact as a pass rusher as well. Hamilton may see some playing time as a rookie, but his impact will likely come in 2026 as he learns behind Murchison.
6. WR Konata Mumpfield
It’s hard to see Konata Mumpfield seeing a lot of playing time as a rookie. He doesn’t provide a lot of value as a returner. Additionally, the Rams have four solid wide receivers above him on the depth chart. He’ll also be competing with Xavier Smith and other undrafted free agents in training camp. Unless the Rams have a lot of injuries at the position, Mumpfield may not see the field often as a rookie.
