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[Los Angeles Rams]

Rams 7-Round Mock Draft with trades: Will Les Snead be active on draft night?

Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images

The NFL Draft is officially just 10 days away before we find out what the Los Angeles Rams do with the 26th overall pick. Most, if not all, of my mock drafts up to this point have been done without trades. That’s done on purpose as trades are difficult to predict. However, before draft season is over, doing one mock draft with trades is necessary. General manager Les Snead has been active in the past and that could be the case once again, especially in this draft class.

As I wrote last week, trading back remains the best option for the Rams with the 26th overall pick. That gives the Rams more capital to move around throughout the draft, but also provides more options and potential value.

36th Overall - TE Mason Taylor, LSU​

*Note: Traded Pick 26 to Jaguars (Luther Burden III) for pick 107 and 182

It’s possible that the Rams could go cornerback here, especially if one of Trey Amos or Maxwell Hairston are available. At the same time, the Rams brought back Ahkello Witherspoon and retained Darious Williams for another season. It’s also worth remembering that they signed Emmanuel Forbes at the end of last season. That’s not to say that the Rams don’t have a need at cornerback. However, the Rams may prioritize the position a little differently than some would like. Bringing back Witherspoon allows for the Rams not to force a cornerback early in the draft.

At some point in the draft, the Rams are going to take a tight end. It’s a position of need and it seems to be something that head coach Sean McVay has wanted as well. If the Rams don’t get Colston Loveland in the first round, Mason Taylor is a great backup plan. Like Loveland, Taylor is alignment versatile and is a natural receiver with good ball skills. He may be more of a ‘get in the way’ blocker, but he’s able to pivot defenders. Taylor is a good route runner and gives the Rams a legitimate receiving threat at tight end.

I like Mason Taylor as a flex TE a fair bit. Good fluidity for his size and understands how to run routes to create separation. Makes some nice out-of-frame catches, too.

Reminds me of Tyler Higbee. https://t.co/6defjOhEsc pic.twitter.com/w2cWmNkq8K

— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) March 26, 2025​

64th Overall - WR Jayden Higgins, Iowa State​

*Note: Traded pick 90, 107, and 195 to the Eagles for pick 64

After aquiring pick 107 in the earlier trade, the Rams trade for another second round pick which is where the value seems to be in this draft. Much like the earlier trade, the Rams prioritize the offensive side of the ball. With Davante Adams and Tutu Atwell both essentially on one-year deals, the Rams need to bring in a potential starter behind them. Higgins is a perfect fit.

Taking away the connection to Nate Scheelhaase, Higgins is still a great fit for the Rams offense. He prides himself on being able to play all three wide receiver spots. Despite being 6’4, Higgins is a sharp route-runner. That size also helps him in contested catch situations and as a blocker. Higgins may not contribute right away like Van Jefferson, but there is upside here in years two and three.

Iowa State WR Jayden Higgins v. Texas CB Jahdae Barron (2023)

Barron plays the double move nicely, then Higgins snaps him off on the comeback. Barron slides on the paint -- unlucky.

I'm impressed with Higgins' ability to stop/start at his size. pic.twitter.com/5mSYzMIcN9

— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) March 25, 2025​

101st Overall - LB Smael Mondon Jr., Georgia​

The first selection outside of the top 100 and first original pick comes at linebacker. Watching Smael Mondon Jr. and it’s hard not to see a Rams player. It’s possible that the Rams could wait until later in the draft to take a linebacker on day three after re-signing Troy Reeder. However, the signing of Reeder shouldn’t affect the Rams too much at the position.

When Mondon was healthy, he was a very productive player at Georgia. He had 50 or more tackles in each of the last three seasons. Mondon is rangy and his background as a safety makes him comfortable in coverage. He has good read-react quickness and is a disciplined tackler. While Mondon may not contribute right away, he brings special teams upside early.

127th Overall - OT Jalen Travis, Iowa State​

If the Rams are going to find an heir to Rob Havenstein, the third or fourth round is the perfect place to do it. Someone like Ozzy Trapilo makes a lot of sense here as well. If Marcus Mbow falls, he could also be an option. Travis brings three years of starting experience with 27 career starts. He started at Princeton on the right side before moving to the left side over the last two years.

Travis has dealt with injuries which could be a red flag after the Joe Noteboom experience. However, this is a player that can play on the left or right side and he moves very well in the run game. This is the perfect type of player to let sit for a year or two and develop as he has all of the physical traits for a starting NFL tackle. Travis gives the Rams options and depth which is what they need on the offensive line.

Iowa State OT Jalen Travis is massive, listed at 6'7" and 340lbs. Love the way he's able to win in pass protection with his length and powerful base pic.twitter.com/w4AMkv6q68

— Joe DeLeone (@joedeleone) February 19, 2025​

182nd Overall - RB Jarquez Hunter, Auburn​

Hunter is likely going to be a lock for me at the running back position for the Rams late in the draft. This is not only a player that they’ve met with, but he has a lot of traits that they like in the position. While he may not have the home-run speed, he had the sixth-most explosive efforts at the Senior Bowl for a running back and he is consistently able to pick up chunks. According to “The Beast”, Hunter had 42 carries of 10 yards or more sixth most in the FBS in 2024. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Hunter overtake Blake Corum.

190th Overall - CB Robert Longerbeam, Rutgers​

Longerbeam may not be the most exciting pick, but he plays tougher than his size at 5’11, 175 pounds and brings outstanding ball skills and instincts. He had 24 passes defended over the past two seasons. He was also the third fastest cornerback at the Shrine Bowl and his 40-yard dash was in the 87th percentile at the Combine. Longerbeam is a competitive, scrappy player which the Rams will like to have in their cornerback room.

201st Overall - DL Ty Robinson, Nebraska​

The Rams need some defensive line depth and a player like Ty Robinson makes a lot of sense. While he’s only 288 pounds, his motor always runs hot and has the good initial quickness at the snap that the Rams like. Robinson can rotate as a pass rusher early as he develops.

202nd Overall - iOL Caleb Rogers, Texas Tech​

Rogers is exactly the type of offensive lineman that the Rams have drafted late in past years. He’s very similar to Tremayne Anchrum in the sense that he can play multiple spots along the offensive line and is a team-first guy. His nickname at Texas Tech was “Captain Rogers” and he has experience at four of the five spots on the offensive line. He’s simply a reliable, energetic player with good versatility which makes for good depth.

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2025/4/14/24408088/rams-2025-mock-draft-trades-maxwell-hairston

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

Rams could pass on Shedeur Sanders entirely

Photo by Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images

If the Rams draft a quarterback in the first round, it might not be Shedeur Sanders — and not because he’s off the board

The pre-draft process couldn’t be much worse than it has been for Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. That doesn’t mean that Sanders won’t be a top-10 pick, it just means that as we get closer to the main event that the media has been more willing each day to report that the NFL isn’t nearly as high on Deion’s son as we were led (by the media) to believe.

SI’s Albert Breer reported on Monday, although this is something that a few people have been saying for months, that Sanders probably won’t go to the Browns or Giants in the top-3. But that’s not all.

Breer went further, writing that it would surprise people if Sanders is a top-10 pick, and that as a reporter he’s having a hard time finding teams that believe he should go in the first round at all. That would mean that not only does Sanders drop to the L.A. Rams at 26, but that Les Snead and Sean McVay could pass on him entirely.

I’m having a really hard time finding coaches or scouts who believe Sanders is a first-round talent.

Anyway, I don’t think Sanders is going in the top three. And at this point, it feels like it’d be surprising if the Las Vegas Raiders, New York Jets or Saints took him in the top 10.

I’ve had more than one person say to me that if Sanders goes in the first round, it’ll be because an owner got involved. That, of course, is a bit of a guess from a few guys who are clued into how Sanders is viewed. But it’s also a bit of a window into the way evaluators are looking at the Colorado star.

Breer notes that “an owner would have to get involved” for Sanders to be a first round pick, but if you know Stan Kroenke at all, then you know that L.A.’s owner doesn’t meddle in Snead and McVay’s business. He lets the football people make football decisions.

Sanders has not really been praised for much as an NFL draft prospect aside from being a fast mental processor and accurate within the short to intermediate distance. However, “he got his mom’s athleticism” according to one quote I’ve heard thrown out there, he doesn’t have a strong arm, and he’s one of the least accurate deep passers in all of college football.

In other words, if his name was “Shedeur Milton” or something and he played for Colorado, would we even be talking about him as a top-100 pick?

This could all be a moot point and Sanders goes to the Jets or Saints, but it sure doesn’t seem like that will be the case and not “because of smoke” or anything like that. Though the New Orleans Saints have come up a lot lately with connection to Sanders because Derek Carr is in danger of missing the entire season, nobody should believe that Sanders is going to be a better option in 2025 as a rookie than available veteran options.

Just because he is a quarterback doesn’t mean he is the quarterback.

At pick 26, don’t be surprised at all if the Rams draft the best available prospect (and that definitely won’t be a quarterback) or if Sanders goes after Cam Ward, Jaxson Dart, and potentially even Tyler Shough and Jalen Milroe.

Nobody knows what will happen in the draft until the draft — I remember in 2019 when Drew Lock was often cited as a top-10 pick and Daniel Jones was someone teams might “settle for” on day two, but then the Giants took Jones at 6 and Lock was the player who fell to 42, also going later than Dwayne Haskins — but just because you’ve been told by people for months (or even years) that Shedeur Sanders is a first round pick that it’s a “smokescreen” just because many of those people are now changing their tune.

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2025/4/14/24408453/rams-draft-shedeur-sanders-rumors

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

5 different mock draft picks by 5 different Rams writers

Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images

5 different directions the Rams could go in the 2025 draft

Making an accurate mock draft pick is hard enough, but trying to do so for a team picking 26th and always a threat to trade down is even tougher. We still tried.

The Los Angeles Rams pick 26th in this year’s draft and that means that there are an unfathomable number of different scenarios that could happen with the 25 picks ahead of them. Truly a number higher than we can imagine. But we still know who the suspects are and maybe one of those players will land on the Rams in less than two weeks.

The Turf Show Times writing staff got together and did a quick mock draft of the first 25 picks and then five of us made our choices for what Les Snead should do at 26. The only rule was that you could not trade down. It so happens that all of us chose different prospects.

Here are the answers, followed by how the first 25 picks went to get us to this point.

EDGE James Pearce, Tennessee​

Blaine Grisak: A trade back makes the most sense in this scenario, but I’ll go EDGE James Pearce Jr. from Tennessee. This may seem like an odd selection given that the Rams just drafted Jared Verse and also have Byron Young. However, Pearce adds to the identity of the defense which is the young pass rush. With Verse and Young in place, the Rams can use Pearce as a designated pass rusher early as he develops into a full-time starter.

QB Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss​

Evan Craig: I’ll be that guy haha, but I can see the Rams going QB - Jaxson Dart. The Rams must prepare for life after Matthew Stafford, and while the team might be better served trading out of this pick, selecting the best available quarterback in Jaxson Dart makes more sense than you’d think. Green Bay made it work a few years ago in a similar situation with Aaron Rodgers and Jordan Love. Why not try it in Hollywood? Dart possesses enough physical tools to help L.A. make a relatively seamless transition post-Stafford, and Sean McVay also gets his chance to develop his choice at QB from the ground up. Fortifying the defense is again the better option, but no one should rule out the Rams from going signal caller.

RB Omarion Hampton, UNC​

Danny Stone: Omarion Hampton. The team can still lean on Kyren Williams, and they can choose to extend him whenever, but Hampton gives the team options on the field and off the field as Hampton could be the running back of the future while Blake Corum continues to grow too. It’s a risk, but Hampton can upgrade the team now, fill a short-term need and potentially a long-term need if he hits.

WR Tre Harris, Ole Miss​

JB Scott: It stings watching Colston Loveland come off the board just a few picks earlier to the cross-town LA rivals.

The Rams will pivot and surprise by taking Ole Miss WR Tre Harris. This move future-proofs the X receiver position and prepares the team for life after Davante Adams. LA has not enjoyed the luxury of stability at X for some time after watching the likes of Sammy Watkins, Odell Beckham, Jr., and Adams come and go on short-term stints. It will take time for Harris to adapt to a professional scheme after playing in a simplified offense at Ole Miss; however, his size and athletic profile are worth betting on a year or two before you truly need him.

EDGE Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M​

Kenneth Arthur: My only explanation is that I find none of the available prospects to be overwhelmingly good or exciting, but at least Stewart is built like a top-5 pick. At 6’5, 267 with 34 and a half inch arms, Stewart gives the Rams a player who stands a chance of being great. I would never draft for need in the first round, so I couldn’t care less about arguments related to that. Of course I’m worried that he didn’t produce as a pass rusher in college, but I’m not handing out the Heisman Trophy here. The point of this is to find great NFL players and Stewart at least gives me a chance.

The first 25 picks​

1. Titans - Cam Ward, QB

2. Browns - Travis Hunter, WR/CB

3. Giants - Abdul Carter, OLB

4. Patriots - Will Campbell, OT

5. Jaguars - Mason Graham, DT

6. Raiders - Ashton Jeanty, RB

7. Jets - Armand Membou, RT

8. Panthers - Tyler Warren, TE

9. Saints - Shedeur Sanders, QB

10. Bears - Will Johnson, CB

11. 49ers - Kelvin Banks, OT

12. Cowboys - Tetairoa McMillan. WR

13. Dolphins - Kenneth Grant, DT

14. Colts - Jihaad Campbell, LB

15. Falcons - Jalon Walker, OLB

16. Cardinals - Mike Green, OLB

17. Bengals - Donovan Ezeiruaku, OLB

18. Seahawks - Tyler Booker, G

19. Bucs - Malaki Starks, S

20. Broncos - Luther Burden III, WR

21. Steelers - Walter Nolen, DT

22. Chargers - Colston Loveland, TE

23. Packers - Jahdae Barron, CB

24. Vikings - Nick Emmanwori, S

25. Texans - Josh Conerly, OT

Who would you pick?​

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2025/4/15/24408666/rams-mock-draft-scenarios-jaxson-dart

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

NFL.com wants Rams to trade up for ‘premier player’

Photo by Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

NFL analyst Maurice Jones-Drew loves the potential of Tyler Warren in L.A.

With the Los Angeles Rams picking at No. 26 in the 2025 NFL draft, a bold move might be out of the picture. However, no one should ever count out Les Snead from taking a risk, given he’s made a career of it. NFL.com analyst Maurice Jones-Drew has a trade involving L.A. that he would love to see in Round 1.

Jones-Drew said he wants the Rams to trade up for “premier player” Tyler Warren in an April 15 article:

“I’d love to see the Los Angeles Rams trade up to get a premier player at the tight end position. Specifically, I’m thinking Tyler Warren. L.A. currently owns eight selections, including No. 26 overall, but without a second-round pick, the team might have to give up a future first-rounder in order to move up the board and land the Penn State tight end. Les Snead has given up high draft picks in the past — remember the ”F--- them picks” philosophy? — so it doesn’t feel as if that would prevent the Rams from making a move that would add an exceptional player to an offense that’s looking to make the most of Matthew Stafford’s twilight years.”

Will TE Tyler Warren put up big numbers over his NFL career like he did at @PennStateFball?

: 2025 #NFLDraft – April 24-26 on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/LRWrg0YifK

— NFL (@NFL) April 9, 2025​

Warren had an elite 2024 campaign to cap off his collegiate career. He became Penn State’s single-season record holder for receptions (104) and was the only Nittany Lion to reach 100 catches in a season. The reigning John Mackey Award winner also tied a college football record for tight ends with 17 receptions in a monster outing against USC.

He caught the ball 17 times.
He ran the ball.
He threw the ball.
He snapped the ball.

Tyler Warren was sensational for @PennStateFball vs. USC. pic.twitter.com/5bTv4SKaUK

— CBS Sports College Football (@CBSSportsCFB) October 12, 2024​

What a shock that the Trojans could not stop Warren, much less a nosebleed. Warren has a high bar to clear if he has any chance of replicating the production that Brock Bowers put together in his rookie year last season. While he’s no Bowers, the Penn State product is still a damn good tight end. He is pure nightmare fuel for defenders after the catch.

Tyler Warren is an elite tight end prospect.

He’s cleaned up drops (15% in 2023 to 2.8% drop rate in 2024) and become an elite contested catcher (61.9%).

Warren is also a MONSTER after the catch, forcing 30 missed tackles in 2024.

TE1 for the 2025 Draft. pic.twitter.com/z5xmJ8df1O

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) January 17, 2025​

If the Rams were to draft Warren, the team already has Tyler Higbee on the roster to mentor him. Plus, adding another weapon to Matthew Stafford’s arsenal would only boost L.A.’s chances of keeping up with the Eagles in the NFC. This is a move that Snead should strongly consider in the draft to continue maximizing the remainder of Stafford’s career.

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2025/4/15/24409246/rams-2025-draft-tyler-warren

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

This is why the Rams traded him for a third

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

Jalen Ramsey has always chased the money and the Rams still got a Super Bowl out of him

Jalen Ramsey has always followed the money and there’s nothing wrong with that, but it’s why the Los Angeles Rams had to trade him in 2023 and also why they could only get a third round pick and Hunter Long from the Miami Dolphins to do so. Now only two seasons after the trade and less than a year after the Dolphins made Ramsey the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL on an extension, the two sides are set to part ways.

Miami would be elated to get the same third round pick and player that they gave up to get Ramsey in 2023, but this is the cratering value that the Rams knew would happen when they took that same package to trade him at a time when he was asking to be paid more than he’s worth.

Many fans and members of the media expressed shock when Ramsey was “only” traded for a third round pick, but that was certainly the best offer in the league because he was an almost-30 cornerback who wanted the rest of his contract to be guaranteed. The only thing kind of surprising about the trade was Ramsey finding a team that would do it.

The #Dolphins and seven-time Pro Bowl CB Jalen Ramsey are mutually set to explore trade options and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he played elsewhere in 2025, per me and @TomPelissero.

Miami and Ramsey, due $25.1M fully guaranteed this season, could be parting ways. pic.twitter.com/rfbNDcNL6m

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 15, 2025​

But never underestimate the Miami Dolphins’ willingness to overpay and under-deliver.

A history of money-first focus​

Again, there’s nothing wrong with a player prioritizing his career earnings so long as that player delivers on the field, which is what Jalen Ramsey has done for the majority of his football life.

Ramsey wants to go to the team that will pay him the most and when that team was the Rams, he helped L.A. win a Super Bowl.

Similarly, Darrelle Revis only ever wanted to play for the team that would pay him the most — in fact, Revis REVOLUTIONIZED player contracts and getting the most money possible by betting on himself with short-term deals — and he helped the New England Patriots win the Super Bowl in 2014.

Don’t confuse “he likes money” with being an insult when it is it actually just an observation. And a fair one.

Jalen Ramsey sore back with the Jaguars vs Jalen Ramsey knee injury with the Rams pic.twitter.com/9NTRG21Drv

— Ben Murphy (@BenMurphy__) December 22, 2019​

Jalen Ramsey claimed to have an injury in 2019 when the Jacksonville Jaguars wouldn’t pay him as much as he thought he was worth, but was immediately to practice after the Jaguars traded him to the Rams for two first round picks that same season.

Ramsey then said that trade rumors were ridiculous and the furthest thing from the truth when they started to bubble up in the 2023 offseason, only to later tweet that he had been dreaming of the trade to the Dolphins for months when it finally happened.

Ramsey has been very upfront about the fact that he would holdout of games if it meant getting a better contract.

Well, when a player is that well known for leaving a team when he wants more money, what else should fans expect when he leaves that team than an underwhelming trade package?

Going into the 2023 season, Ramsey had two years left on the “biggest DB contract in history” that he signed in 2020, but none of it was guaranteed. That’s the main reason why the Rams traded him and why they got a third round pick and a third-string tight end for a player who was often called the best cornerback in the league.

Immediately upon arrival in Miami, the Dolphins FULLY GUARANTEED both the 2023 and 2024 seasons on his contract.

Now you look back at the 2023 offseason, the insults hurled at Les Snead for trading Ramsey for a third round pick, and ask yourself this question:

Should the Rams have fully guaranteed Ramsey’s 2023 and 2024 seasons at $17 million each?​

No.

Without Jalen Ramsey, the Rams have gone 10-7 in each of the past two seasons, making the playoffs both times and nearly upsetting the Eagles in 2024. Even with cornerback as an obvious weak spot on the roster, often featuring Ahkello Witherspoon as the best on the team, it’s hard to argue that Ramsey would have put L.A. over the top in any capacity.

Especially given the additional $34 million in cash that the Rams kept by trading him.

(Although to be devil’s advocate, the money unfortunately went to Jonah Jackson.)

In that same period of time, Ramsey missed seven games in 2023 with an injury. Though he has played in the last 27 games straight without any setbacks, Ramsey is on the trade block because the Dolphins know that at this stage of his career, he’s either replaceable or no longer good enough to justify the three-year, $72 million extension signed last September.

Which was largely because the team didn’t want to pay him the $25 million cap hit he was originally due in 2025.

I don't care that the QB had a ton of time or that he got outside the pocket. When you say you're an elite cornerback, you can't allow a running back to get behind you. That's not Shakir or Samuel; that's the Bills' third-string running back. This is bad CB play by Jalen Ramsey. pic.twitter.com/Q6qY8ds5p9

— Doctor Gridiron (@DrGridiron_MD) September 13, 2024​

That cap hit is now $16.6 million even though his total guaranteed cash in 2025 is actually $24.2 million. For a 31-year-old cornerback.

Should the Dolphins find a team take Ramsey’s contract off of their hands in 2025, the amount of cap space they would LOSE — yes, LOSE — is complicated.

Per OvertheCap’s Jason Fitzgerald, the Dolphins could lose up to $12.5 million if traded by the draft, but they will most likely be trying to work with Ramsey’s agent on a renegotiation of his bonuses in some capacity just to be able to facilitate a deal. But that might not even be the biggest hurdle, as Miami also needs to find a sucker willing to pay Ramsey up to $21 million in 2025 despite the perception that he’s not going to be that great at age 31.

The cost for the Dolphins on the salary cap will be high regarding a trade. Ramsey already earned a $4 million bonus in March from Miami, bringing the number for a pre June trade up to $29.213 million. That would be a loss of about $12.55 million in cap room. Miami would also be charged an additional $3.796 million for his option bonus if they did not renounce it prior to the trade. They would receive a cap credit in 2026 for that salary but it would be difficult on Miami’s cap this year. Odds are any trade during the draft would require Miami to renegotiate another contract for cap relief.

If the team waits until after the draft until they make the trade they can split the salary cap costs between 2025 and 2026. In that scenario Miami would take on $14.541 million in charges with $3.796 being credited to Miami in 2026. The dead money in 2026 would be $18.468 million. Given that teams are more prone to trading away future draft picks rather than current ones, this scenario might make the most sense for both sides.

Does any of this sound like fun to you? Because if the Rams had not traded Ramsey for a third round pick and Hunter Long — again, I’m not sure how else to say this, that was almost certainly the best offer that Les Snead was ever going to get — then this is the mind-numbing cap-solving puzzle that Tony Pastoors and company would be going through right now.

Some owe Snead an apology​

The Rams were usually cited as the “losers” of the Ramsey trade, with many pointing to Snead as an ignorant buffoon who never gets enough in return — but they didn’t take into account Ramsey’s contract guarantees, his age, or the likelihood that two years later he would be asking for a trade again.

Dear Les Snead.... pic.twitter.com/vuOJfjHYu2

— Rams fan 4 life!! (@scothoffman10) March 12, 2023​

Les Snead isn’t a good GM and Sean McVay is the only reason he’s still employed pic.twitter.com/Yb5uaxHO9c

— Jack (@JackforRams) March 12, 2023​

Les Snead after trading the best corner in the league for a 3rd round pick and a TE with 1 career reception: pic.twitter.com/skFatDa5oP

— Jeremiah Rivera (Milko) (@mrmilko8) March 12, 2023​

“And I want Hunter goddamn Long”

- Les Snead pic.twitter.com/DqsdjCGfu9

— SGG Media (@SGG_hq) March 12, 2023​

Is Les Snead officially in the hot seat after the Jalen Ramsey trade???

— Clash Of The Horns 2021 SB Champions (@RamfamPodcaster) March 12, 2023​

"I don't love this trade at ALL... we didn't get a lot for him."@JKBOGEN reacts to the Rams trading Jalen Ramsey to the Dolphins (presented by @betonline_ag) @PerfectvillePod | #NFLTwitter pic.twitter.com/JPavwWTZaZ

— Bleav (@BleavNetwork) March 14, 2023​

BREAKING

The Rams have agreed to trade Jalen Ramsey to the Dolphins for a third-round pick and TE Hunter Long

THAT’S IT https://t.co/c67Zi8ahX7

— Cameron DaSilva (@camdasilva) March 12, 2023​

I don’t know if people thought that the Rams could get more than a third round pick for Ramsey in 2023, or if they were just confused because the team traded him at all, but both of the answers as to why it happened are summed up simply with:

Because Jalen Ramsey wanted to be overpaid and the Rams didn’t want to overpay him, nor did most other teams in the NFL.​

Not a single player in this league has been traded for a first round pick since early 2022, so nobody should be confusing a 30-something year old cornerback demanding $35 million to be guaranteed as the one who was going to be an exception!

And now he’s almost 31!

Maybe there was some team out there that would have traded a late second or an earlier third, neither of which has significantly more value than pick 77, but the team was also hoping to get Ramsey out of the NFC. Even still, I don’t think that Snead would have turned down a top-50 pick if one was offered.

CLEARLY NO TEAMS WERE OFFERING THAT. Not because Jalen Ramsey stopped being a good player, but because it wasn’t hard to see that his future contract figures and demands were going to be antithetical to any GM who wanted to build a championship roster.

Les Snead is not a perfect GM, certainly at times L.A.’s moves have been questionable and too risky (or too safe) and we can point to plenty of examples of “should’ve done this” or “could’ve done that”. This is not a blanket defense of Snead, nor would I spend any time doing that because there could be a time when the Rams are no longer as successful as they’ve been since 2017.

However, the worst time to criticize the Rams was when they traded Ramsey for a third round pick.

That was actually a good move — as was trading for him 2019 before he helped them win the Super Bowl — because of all the future bad moves it helped L.A. avoid.

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2025/4/16/24410083/rams-jalen-ramsey-trade-dolphins-rumors

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

Deep sleepers at every position the Rams could steal late in the NFL Draft

Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Who are the diamonds in the rough that the Rams should be watching in 2025 NFL Draft?

The ability to find success later in the NFL Draft is what separates good general managers and great ones. Over the past several years, the Los Angeles Rams have found success on day three of the draft with players like Jordan Fuller, Puka Nacua, Quentin Lake, and others. Great draft classes happen when teams are able to find those late-round diamonds.

Using the NFL Consensus Big Board, I’ve picked out players ranked 150 or lower. Below are seven sleepers and diamonds in the rough that the Rams should keep an eye on.

Quarterback: QB Seth Henigan, Memphis​

This is one of the first years in which there really isn’t a late-round quarterback that I really like. It just goes to show the quality of this quarterback class and that it’s really not very good. However, Henigan is an experienced starter and does a nice job getting through his progressions. Henigan also led the game-winning drive in the Senior Bowl.

Full Gruden’s QB Class with Seth Henigan pic.twitter.com/KSBZOvIsQJ

— Jon Gruden (@BarstoolGruden) April 14, 2025​

Running Back: Jarquez Hunter, Auburn​

With both Kyren Williams and Blake Corum, it’s unlikely that the Rams take a running back on the first two days of the NFL Draft. Unless the Rams are completely out on Corum after one year, it would make more sense to take a running back late. Jarquez Hunter is a great fit and brings some of the big play ability that the Rams are missing. While Hunter may not be the home-run hitter, he’s capable of ripping off an occasional double or triple. Approximately 33 percent of Hunter’s carries between the tackles at Auburn went for 10 or more yards. He also has one of the higher career explosive run rates among running backs in the draft. Hunter ranks second behind only RJ Harvey.

Auburn RB Jarquez Hunter #27 is a compact, smooth accelerator with good patience to let plays unfold. When he's getting up to speed, tacklers from the side fall off of his frame with subtle body positioning from Hunter. He breaks tackles and finishes runs very well. I like him pic.twitter.com/xpaEHoIRGq

— Daniel Harms (@InHarmsWay19) April 3, 2025​

Wide Receiver: Efton Chism, Eastern Washington​

We are starting off with a deep sleeper at the wide receiver position. The Rams had plenty of success with one wide receiver from Eastern Washington, why not go back to that same pipeline? While Chism isn’t the prospect that Kupp was, the two players have very similar traits. Chism is a great route-runner and has the ability to create after the catch.

Eastern Washington’s Efton Chism III put on a route running clinic at the East-West Shrine Bowl today. He was sixth in the FCS in yards per route run (3.45) and first in forced missed tackles among WRs (27) this past season. pic.twitter.com/CmxH47lJaL

— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) January 26, 2025​

Tight End: Thomas Fidone II, Nebraska​

Had it not been for injuries, it’s possible that Thomas Fidone is getting talked about as a top tight end in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, two major knee injuries later and Fidone is now likely to be a day three pick. Despite the injuries, Fidone has shown why he was so highly touted coming out of high school. He’s a good run-blocker and brings that dog mentality. The upside is there as a receiver and route-runner as he has a wide receiver background. Fidone may not be as exciting as Colston Loveland or Harold Fannin Jr., but these are the profiles and chances worth taking on day three.

Thomas Fidone going to war with Tyleik Williams and...winning? pic.twitter.com/HwUVUwn4qx

— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) April 17, 2025​

Offensive Tackle: Jack Nelson, Wisconsin​

The Rams need depth at the tackle position and potentially someone that they can trust to take over for Rob Havenstein on the right side. Jack Nelson may not have the same profile as some of the other tackles in this class, but he is very experienced and has played on both sides. If the Rams are unable to get a tackle on the first two days of the draft, Nelson may not have a high ceiling, but he provides a stable floor as a potential starter on the right side.

iOL: Clay Webb, Jacksonville State​

It’s hard to see the Rams taking Clay Webb as they tend to lean towards offensive linemen from bigger schools. With that said, Webb is a three-year starter at left guard and played in a zone-based run scheme. He also took some snaps at center at the Senior Bowl and played well in that spot. Webb is more of a developmental prospect, but could provide versatile depth.

Linebacker: Teddye Buchanan, Cal​

It’s well known at this point that the Rams value linebackers about as much as I value eating broccoli. In other words, not very much. If the Rams take a linebacker, it is likely to be on day three and in the later rounds. That puts a strong emphasis on being able to hit on players later. Buchanan is a solid tackler and is comfortable in coverage. He put on a strong showing at the Shrine Bowl.

A final look at career production vs. athleticism for the 2025 LB class.

All scores are relative to the 2015-2024 classes.

Targets:
Carson Schwesinger
Danny Stutsman
Shaun Dolac

Sleepers:
Teddye Buchanan
Joseph Vaughn

Lower on:
Chris Paul Jr.
Shemar James pic.twitter.com/Ffe6UdwcCS

— Gridiron Grading (@GridironGrading) April 15, 2025​

Cornerback: Mac McWilliams​

McWilliams fits the profile of what the Rams have looked for in the past at the cornerback position. This is a player that plays with a lot of competitiveness and, despite being smaller, he plays bigger than that. McWilliams is alignment versatile and had 20 pass breakups over his final two seasons at UAB where the Rams found Darious Williams.

Safety: Maxen Hook, Toledo​

It’s hard to find defensive backs that are willing to tackle in space and Maxen Hook makes that his specialty. While Hook doesn’t have the size of a linebacker, he plays like a linebacker in the box. The Toledo safety had over 100 tackles last season which was his third with 80 or more. He also had 95 back in 2021. He’s able to play on special teams and should be able to contribute there early.

Defensive Line: Cam Horsley, Boston College​

Despite adding Poona Ford in free agency, the Rams could still use some depth on the defensive line, especially when it comes to players who can stop the run. Horsley graded 16th against the run last season according to PFF and his 14.4 percent stop percentage ranked first.

Within an extremely deep DT class, one of the more impressive run stuffers I’ve seen is BC’s Cam Horsley. He’s got some true brute strength at the point of attack pic.twitter.com/XwwtWlvLla

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) February 22, 2025​

Edge Rusher: Fadil Diggs, Syracuse​

It can be difficult to find late-round edge rushers as it’s a premium position and should typically be addressed early on in the draft. However, Diggs brings some upside as a player with 25 sacks over the last two years, including 14 last season. This is the type of edge rusher worth betting on late in the draft.

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2025/4/17/24410417/rams-draft-targets-sleepers-day-3

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

How often has the first TE drafted been the best TE drafted?

Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images

If the Rams draft a tight end this year, it’s okay if he’s not Tyler Warren or Colston Loveland

The Los Angeles Rams could be a team to watch with regards to 2025’s loaded tight end class in the draft. Though the Rams won’t be anywhere near Tyler Warren, the top-rated tight end and a possible top-10 pick, and probably won’t be able to draft Colston Loveland either, all are options should be on the board.

How often was the first tight end drafted the best tight end of the class?

I looked at the last 10 years to find out.

2015​

First TE drafted: Devin Funchess, Panthers, 2.41 OR Maxx Williams, Ravens, 2.55​

Best TE drafted: C.J. Uzomah, Bengals, 5.157​

Funchess was more of a big receiver than a tight end, so we could say that Williams was the first tight end in a class that obviously didn’t have a lot of high end talent.

Clive Walford, Tyler Kroft, and Jeff Heuerman were the only others picked on day two and Kroft is the only one still in the league. He was clearly a standout before day three, but the Bengals made an even better tight end selection in the fifth round with Uzomah.

He leads all 2015 tight ends in career yards (1,881) and touchdowns (16), if we don’t include Funchess.

Seventh rounder Geoff Swaim is also active and a great steal for the Cowboys.

2016​

First TE drafted: Hunter Henry, Chargers, 2.35​

Best TE drafted: Henry​

You could definitely argue Tyler Higbee in 2016 as pick 110. He was a far better value than Henry, who was also the only tight end drafted in the top-80 picks.

️ With the 35th pick in the @NFL draft, the @Chargers select HUNTER HENRY! #Uncommon #NFLDraft #ProHogs pic.twitter.com/hSZsrcCwH5

— Arkansas Razorback Football (@RazorbackFB) April 29, 2016​

The Falcons chose Austin Hooper at 81.

Henry’s 4,527 yards is almost 1,000 more yards than Higbee and his 40 touchdowns is 16 more than Higbee. Maybe Henry is also a better blocker than Higbee, but I can’t be certain.

2017​

First TE drafted: O.J. Howard, 1.19​

Best TE drafted: George Kittle, 5.146​

Every analyst said there was a generational tight end prospect in the 2017 draft, but none of them said it was George Kittle.

Howard came out of Alabama with comparisons to Tony Gonzales and Antonio Gates — at worst Greg Olsen — but all that did was make him one of the most memorable busts of the last ten years. Howard was drafted by the Bucs (over players like T.J. Watt, Tre’Davious White, and Budda Baker) and after a promising-ish rookie season with six touchdowns, just got progressively worse each year.

Howard spent five years with the Bucs and totaled 1,737 yards and 15 touchdowns, before puttering out of the league in 2023 after just one season with the Texans. This was AFTER he failed to make the roster in Buffalo and before he was signed by the Raiders in 2023 and again failed to make a 53-man roster.

TE that runs a 4.51 40-yard dash. YES!

The @TBBuccaneers select @TheRealOjHoward at 19th overall. #NFLDraft #WelcometoMadden pic.twitter.com/bPh38lbfpA

— Madden NFL 25 (@EAMaddenNFL) April 28, 2017​

There were two more tight ends in the first round, both of whom are Pro Bowlers, with Evan Engram at 23 and David Njoku at 29. Both are perfectly good tight ends and have had better careers than Gerald Everett, the 44th overall pick by the Rams.

There was another good value in the third with the Titans picking Jonnu Smith.

But nobody has done better than George Kittle despite — get this — being the highest-ranked tight end in the entire class based on Next Gen Stats’ Athleticism score! And coming out of IOWA!

Lance Zierlein said Kittle lacked the size for blocking and compared him to Charles Clay:

H-back type who lacks the desired size for in-line blocking but certainly has the technique and willingness to do it. He has good hands and flashes an ability to challenge as a pass catcher on all three levels. Kittle has the athleticism and blocking ability to become an effective move tight end if paired in the right system.

But Kittle had just 737 career yards and 10 touchdowns at Iowa, so you can’t blame teams for being a little skeptical going into the league. He just didn’t play in a passing offense at Iowa and now we see (after 7,380 yards in the NFL) that he needed to go to the right team and be featured, which is what the 49ers did.

2018​

First TE drafted: Hayden Hurst, Ravens, 1.25​

Best TE drafted: Dallas Goedert, Eagles 2.49 OR Mark Andrews, Ravens, 3.86​

Like the Bengals with Uzomah, the Ravens did better with their second tight end drafted this year. Like, a lot better. Hurst is “OK” but not that good and remarkably the Ravens traded up for him BEFORE they traded up for Lamar Jackson at pick 32.

I don’t know why, but the Falcons traded a second round pick for Hurst in 2020. He had 73 yards with the Chargers last year and he’s currently a forgotten free agent.

Day two was pretty electric, featuring Goedert and Mark Andrews, both taken after Mike Gesicki, and rounding out with Jordan Akins in the third round. Goedert may be a better blocker than Andrews and he has now won a Super Bowl.

Day three wasn’t bad at all:

• Ian Thomas, 4.101
• Will Dissly, 4.120
• Duham Smythe, 4.123
• Dalton Schultz, 4.137
• Tyler Conklin, 5.157

Schultz has 3,289 yard sand 24 touchdowns, both more than Gesicki.

2019​

First TE drafted: T.J. Hockenson, Lions, 1.8​

Best TE drafted: Hockenson​

Yeah, Hockenson is the best TE in this class, but he isn’t worth a top-10 pick. The Lions didn’t even get that much when they traded Hockenson to the Vikings in 2022 (Detroit sent two fourth round picks to Minnesota and the Vikings gave them a late second and a late third) and it tells you a lot that they were willing to send him to a division rival.

Hockenson has had over 900 yards twice in his career and is a two-time Pro Bowler, but nobody would confuse him with a Hall of Famer.

Noah Fant (20th overall) was also a first round pick and also very underwhelming. The best steal of the tight end class was Dawson Knox by the Bills at pick 3.96 but his numbers have really tapered off in the last two seasons. Despite that, Knox has as many career touchdowns as Hockenson (23).

2020​

First TE drafted: Cole Kmet, Bears, 2.43​

Best TE drafted: Kmet​

Just an awful, awful draft for tight ends. Kmet was the only TE picked in the first NINETY selections, ending with the Patriots taking Devin Asiasi at 91.

Kmet has 2,592 career yards and 19 touchdowns, which is more yards and just as many touchdowns as the next two best TEs COMBINED. Adam Trautman, a third round pick by the Saints, is the only other TE over 1,000 career yards (1,033) and Harrison Bryant, a fourth round pick by the Browns, has 10 touchdowns.

Cole Kmet is READY to get to work with Ben Johnson pic.twitter.com/5EQBxxltDm

— CHGO Bears (@CHGO_Bears) January 23, 2025​

The Rams picked Brycen Hopkins at pick 136, three selections after the Seahawks picked current (and vastly overpaid) L.A. tight end Colby Parkinson.

2021​

First TE drafted: Kyle Pitts, Falcons, 1.4​

Best TE drafted: Pitts or Pat Freiermuth, Steelers, 2.55​

Back to back terrible TE classes and you could argue that Pitts is barely a tight end. He has certainly scared a lot of fans from wanting to ever see their team take a tight end in the top-15 picks, which is sure to be the case with Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland this year.

But both seem to have a better total skillset than Pitts, who is maybe suffering from going to the wrong team. The Falcons thought he would be an easy plug and play for Arthur Smith’s offense and though he had 1,026 yards as a rookie, that hasn’t been the case.

Pitts averaged just 50 catches for 635 yards and 4 touchdowns in the last two seasons, which are totally good numbers for a tight end, but not one who you draft fourth overall. And knowing that he didn’t go that high for his blocking.

There just isn’t a lot of good competition in the 2021 class, with Freiermuth having more career catches, way more career touchdowns (18 to 10), and almost as many yards as Pitts. He’s probably a better blocker too.

Another future Rams tight end — Hunter Long — was the third TE off the board at pick 3.81.

Rams TEs Colby Parkinson & Hunter Long did work against the 49ers and were an asset in the run game pic.twitter.com/U2TZ7cyKtI

— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) September 24, 2024​

A decent value on day three was Noah Gray to the Chiefs in the fifth round.

2022​

First TE drafted: Trey McBride, Cardinals, 2.55​

Best TE drafted: McBride​

This is one of the easiest calls of the exercise as McBride has clearly established himself as the finest tight end of the 2022 class. Arizona recently gave him a contract to reflect that:

$19 million per season is the highest salary for a tight end in NFL history.​

Cardinals TE Trey McBride gets choked up reflecting on his journey to becoming the highest-paid tight end in NFL history: pic.twitter.com/6oqkuHdQlP

— Blake Niemann (@Blakes_Take2) April 4, 2025​

When you can get a player like McBride at pick 55, it indicates why teams hesitate to pick the position before day two. Most will not be anywhere near McBride’s value — 111 catches for 1,146 yards in 2024 — but a lot of them are as good or better than first rounders.

The 2022 draft also had these good values:

• Cade Otton, Bucs, 4.106
• Jake Ferguson, Cowboys, 4.129
• Isaiah Likely, Ravens, 4.139
• Chigoziem Okonkwo, Titans, 4.143

2023​

First TE drafted: Dalton Kincaid, Bills, 1.25​

Best TE drafted: Sam LaPorta, Lions, 2.34​

Yeah, we’re getting closer the point where we don’t know how good these players are yet, but it’s clear that LaPorta is a stud tight end for the Lions. Kincaid hasn’t been bad by any means, he’s good, but the Bills are hoping for more consistency going into year three.

An overdrafted TE appears to be Michael Mayer, who went to the Raiders at pick 35 and is reportedly on the trade block.

But coming for LaPorta’s title is Tucker Kraft. The Packers picked Kraft in the third round (after also picking Luke Musgrave in the second) and his value exploded in 2024 as he had 50 catches for 707 yards and seven touchdowns. Kraft could establish himself as a top-10 tight end this year, if not higher.

The Rams picked Davis Allen in the fifth round.

2024​

First TE drafted: Brock Bowers, 1.13​

Best TE drafted: Bowers​

Yeah, this one is also easy and doesn’t feel too early to call. Bowers set records in 2024 by catching 112 passes for 1,194 yards from the tight end position as a rookie. He’s one of the reasons that teams won’t hesitate or worry about picking Tyler Warren in the top-10 this year.

There were a few productive tight ends later in the draft, including Ja’Tavion Sanders at 4.101 and Theo Johnson at 4.107. More should and probably will emerge. Seattle’s A.J. Barner, a fourth round pick, had four touchdowns. Almost as many as Bowers (5).

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2025/4/17/24410804/draft-rams-tight-end-history-prospects

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

NFL Draft Analyst: Don’t sleep on this player for the Rams in first round

Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images

NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah says not to sleep on TE Mason Taylor to the Rams

The NFL Draft is less than a week away and it won’t be long before we find out exactly what the Los Angeles Rams and other teams are going to do. However, before all that take place, NFL Media’s Daniel Jeremiah held a media conference call on Friday to answer questions before next week’s draft.

When it comes to what the Rams will do at 26, there are several directions that Les Snead could go. This is a team that sured up several positions in free agency. While there are still spots where they can upgrade on the roster, this also isn’t a team that has any real dire needs. In other words, they won’t be forced to target a specific positions. Certain positions could have priority, but the free agency period will allow them to go best player available. Here are some notable takeaways from Jeremiah’s media availability.

Don’t Sleep on Mason Taylor at 26​

If Colston Loveland is available at 26, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Rams take him. Sean McVay has wanted a receiving tight end in the last two drafts and Tyler Higbee is on the final year of his deal. However, it’s very possible that Loveland isn’t available at 26 and gets selected inside the top-20. In that case, Jeremiah said not to sleep on Mason Taylor from LSU.

“I wouldn’t sleep on a guy like Mason Taylor if that was someone that they really loved and were comfortable with. They could go that route as a tight end...Mason Taylor to me is an emerging player in that everybody is comfortable with him. He’s a safe player. He’s rock solid. He had a nice week at the Senior Bowl...He’s one of those guys when you are talking to teams, if you got wiped out, who would be your guy? If we get wiped out, we would just take Mason Taylor. He’s going to start the next eight, ten years. Just a steady, solid player. I think he goes in the back half at one. At worst, he goes early two.”

Rams draft pick predictions, what position groups are the deepest in this year's class + more!

️@EricaTamposi is joined by NFL Media’s draft analyst, @MoveTheSticks on this episode of Ricky’s Ram Jam.

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) April 17, 2025​

Taylor is a player that I mocked to the Rams in my most recent mock draft and would be a great fit in Sean McVay’s offense. While the 26th overall pick may seem high, if the Rams like the fit, it would be hard to argue with it. Taylor brings many of the same things from a receiving perspective as Loveland, but just not as polished.

Jalen Milroe is the Lottery Ticket in This Draft​

There has been a lot of talk about the Rams potentially being interested in Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe. There are a lot of things to like when it comes to Milroe’s upside as an athlete. However, he also has a lot of concerns when it comes to the quarterback’s primary responsibility of throwing the football. Said Jeremiah,

“He is an elite, elite, elite runner. In terms of the things to work on with him, he’s not consistently connected between his eyes and his feet. That impacts his accuracy. The decision-making, that comes with playing, that comes with learning. I do think he needs time. I do think he requires patience. Talking to teams, though, if you were to use the word — the phrase with him that’s used more than any other of all the quarterbacks in this draft, that’s the lottery ticket. If you want to just take a lottery ticket that you could hit huge on if it all works out and all comes together, he’s got the highest upside of anybody in this draft, and that goes all the way up to Cam Ward at No. 1. But he is a long way from getting there.”

The thing with Milroe and the interest in the 2025 quarterback class is that it’s like taking a kid shopping. There is a shiny new toy on the shelf and the kid has to have it. However, it’s very likely that shiny new toy is simply very average even though it seems like it could be a good replacement for the old on.

While the question was in regards to the Pittsburgh Steelers and contemplating a quarterback over defensive tackle or another position, Jeremiah’s answer was also very relevant to the Rams at 26.

“I would just say if you have conviction on one of those quarterbacks, if you have a lot of love in the building for Jaxson Dart, if you have conviction, take the quarterback.”

It really comes down to conviction and how much the Rams like these quarterbacks. If Sean McVay is in love with a Jaxson Dart or Jalen Milroe, as much as it may not seem like the right decision, it would be hard to argue with it. Even if the 2026 quarterback class is supposed to be better, if McVay sees one of these players as the future, that will be his decision.

Harold Fannin Jr. is a ‘Tight End Darling’​

We’re back on to the tight ends and this time talking about Bowling Green’s Harold Fannin Jr. This was actually the question that I asked Jeremiah as there seems to be a lot of division when it comes to Fannin. He’s someone that entered the process with a lot of buzz, but didn’t impress at all along the way. His Senior Bowl was lackluster and he only ran a 4.71 at the Combine. Still, given his on-field speed and ability to separate, he could be an option for the Rams. Said Jeremiah,

“There’s teams that have Fannin over Taylor. He’s a tight end darling...The take, the consensus, was that Harold Fannin was the coaching favorite of the tight end coaches. They all really liked him. He’s a really good player. I think he’s going to go in the second round when it’s all said and done. Maybe the middle to the back portion of the second round. When you go up against Penn State and do what he did and then you show against Texas A&M when you are running away from everybody. It looks a little different watching him run. He ran 4.71. He didn’t blow it out, but he’s faster than you think, and he just has a knack for getting open, separating, and it’s kind of a different looking kind of a waddle that he uses as a runner. He covers ground. He can make people miss. He’s just excellent with the ball in his hands.”

Fannin may not be available at 90, but if the Rams trade back from 26 and end up in the middle of the second round, he will be a possibility. It does seem as though the Rams at some point in the draft could take a tight end and Fannin is a solid fit.

There May Not Be An Immediate ‘Big-Time Impact’ Player at 26​

While the question was about the Detroit Lions at 28, the Rams are sitting there at 26 and the answer seems relevant. For the second consecutive year, the Rams have a first round pick. When fans think about first-round selections, it’s easy to get caught up in the idea that the player should be able to come in and make an immediate impact. That’s especially the case considering the impact that Jared Verse had last year. The fact of the matter is, that caliber of player may not exist in this draft.

“Look, there are so many intriguing options and good players there, but in terms of the stamp of immediate big-time impact, it’s hard to do that at that portion of the draft in this draft.”

Jeremiah noted that there are a lot of really intriguing options and good players in that portion of the draft, naming James Pearce Jr. and Donovan Ezeiruaku. However, this could be a draft where getting a rotational starter that develops into a full-time player is considered a win.

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2025/4/18/24411635/rams-draft-targets-daniel-jeremiah-mason-taylor

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

Rams want to diversify the offense...but how exactly?

Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Is it speed, size, explosiveness, or all of the above?

In his end of the season remarks for 2024, Sean McVay stated that the focus for 2025 would be diversifying the offense for the 2025 season. But what McVay did not quite elaborate on was whether that was adding more speed, size, agility, explosiveness, or a blend of all of those attributes.

So far this offseason, Los Angeles has parted ways with Cooper Kupp and Jonah Jackson. In addition, they let Demarcus Robinson depart for San Francisco. Kupp’s release was foreseen with his cap hit and his decline in performance in the 2nd half of the season. Kupp’s inability to create separation was evident. Perhaps because of a lack of speed and explosion...?

In return, LA signed Davante Adams and Coleman Shelton, while also re-signing Tutu Atwell.

Tutu Atwell is a WR prospect in the 2021 draft class. He scored a 5.94 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 1005 out of 2475 WR from 1987 to 2021.

Times unofficial.https://t.co/Q90Fbq1xSk #RAS pic.twitter.com/wJw05iKFVQ

— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 30, 2021​

Davante Adams was drafted with pick 53 of round 2 in the 2014 draft class. He scored a 6.54 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 417 out of 1202 WR from 1987 to 2014. https://t.co/K5r8GewZeN #RAS pic.twitter.com/wKKiExXxlK

— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) January 11, 2023​

Those two moves helped the explosion and speed boxes; adding Adams’s explosion and re-committing to Atwell’s speed. But the Rams depth chart still projects to start players like Kyren Williams and Colby Parkinson (or an aging and banged up Tyler Higbee) that are considered “poor” in the explosion department. The Rams offense was most dynamic with a healthy Todd Gurley in the backfield. Brandin Cooks provided speed on the outside. A young Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp provided size and agility.

Heading into next week, I think the offense can still diversify with a running back and wide receiver / tight end that can provide speed and explosion. TreVeyon Henderson’s profile fits what the Rams may be looking for. Here is his scouting analysis according to NFL.com:

Henderson is capable of starring on third downs or biting off a bigger chunk as a three-down option. He has average size but above-average juice with good acceleration. He’s an average decision-maker inside and is not overly creative once confronted by the defense, but he has the pacing and subtle shiftiness to excel as an outside runner. He might be the best pass-protecting running back in this draft and is more than capable as a pass-catcher. Henderson isn’t Jahmyr Gibbs, but he can operate in a similar role for teams looking to add a more dynamic player to their running back room.

As for a wideout or tight end, a player that makes sense would be Isaac Teslaa out of Arkansas. His size and athleticism would create mismatches on smaller defensive backs. As a guy with limited college production, he should be available on Day 2 or even Day 3. The Rams tried to make Jacob Harris work in 2020, but maybe Isaac Teslaa is a more polished version.

The Detroit Lions offense is an excellent example of replicating an offensive roster that is diverse for 2025. Detroit has utilized a thunder and lightning approach with David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs respectively. From there, the playmakers on the outside consist of Jameson Williams (speed), Amon St. Brown (explosion), and Sam Laporta (speed, explosion, and agility).

In one more week, we’ll know if Sean McVay plans to add any more tools to his bag. Stay tuned for the NFL Draft starting on Thursday, April 24th at 7:00 PM!

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2025/4/19/24410316/rams-sean-mcvay-2025-offense-diversify