Turf Show Times
Chris Paul Jr. was a fifth-round steal for the Rams, but can he make an impact as a rookie?
Heading into the offseason, the Los Angeles Rams had a major need at linebacker. After trading away Ernest Jones in training camp, the Rams managed to get by at linebacker with Troy Reeder, Christian Rozeboom, and Omar Speights.
By the end of free agency, the Rams didn’t sign a big-name linebacker like Dre Greenlaw or Jamien Sherwood. Instead, they moved on from Rozeboom and brought back Reeder while signing Nate Landman from the Atlanta Falcons. During the draft, the Rams opted not to select Jihaad Campbell in the first round. The second, third, and fourth round came and went without general manager Les Snead addressing the position. Finally, with the fifth to last pick in the fifth round, the Rams selected Ole Miss linebacker Chris Paul Jr.
Many expected Paul to be selected much earlier and therefore a steal in the fifth round. Matt Holder from Bleacher Report gave Paul a third-round grade and wrote,
“Chris Paul Jr. has a high ceiling in the NFL as he could develop into a well-rounded linebacker. He’s a good athlete for the position. He is already good in coverage due to impressive movement skills to stay in phase against running backs and tight ends when playing man and tighten throwing windows in zone coverage...Overall, Paul’s traits are worth betting on and he’d be a good fit as a WILL linebacker. It might take some time, but he can potentially become a quality starter in the NFL during his rookie contract and maybe even by year two.”
Given that the Rams did get a potential steal at linebacker in the fifth-round, it’s no surprise that there is a lot of excitement around him heading into his rookie season. The big question, however, is how much of an impact will Paul have as a rookie?
While there is serious opportunity at the linebacker position on the Rams roster, they are a team that tends to bring rookies along slowly. There’s a reason they brought back Reeder and also signed an experienced player in Landman. Even Ernest Jones who was drafted in the third round didn’t start until Week 8 of his rookie season. Omar Speights impressed during the offseason and didn’t start until an injury to Reeder allowed it. He got his first start in Week 8 and didn’t start consistently until Week 10.
Jones entered a similar situation at linebacker in 2021 in which there was a lot of opportunity. Reeder was the starting linebacker with Kenny Young next to him. When Young was traded to the Broncos, Jones got his opportunity.
However, while this Rams linebacker group may not be top-heavy at the linebacker position, for the first time in awhile, they do have some depth. Speights, Landman, and Reeder all have starting experience. Both Speights and Landman excelled against the run last season. Meanwhile, Reeder is an experienced player in the system....
