Turf Show Times
One of the strongest aspects of the Los Angeles Rams is their capacity to rebuild and reload, whether through the draft or free agency. The 2025 draft was quite different from outings in the past. L.A. ended with six total picks, the lowest number since General Manager Les Snead and Head Coach Sean McVay were paired up in 2017.
Trading their Round 1 pick wasn’t necessarily out of form for the Rams, but the recompense was, the Atlanta Falcons 1st pick in 2026. As the draft progressed, it seemed that the Rams manipulated the process to target certain individual players. Trade backs and ups were common as Snead and Co. filled their card. After the main work was done, L.A. inked 17 undrafted rookie free agents (UDFA).
So, how did these prospects work out?
Of the Rams six draft picks, five made the opening roster. Only off-ball linebacker Chris Paul (Rd5, #172) failed. From the undrafted ranks, off-ball linebacker Shaun Dolac was the sole opening roster placement. As the season progressed, wide receiver (WR) Brennan Presley emerged (to date) as the lone practice squad rookie to earn a weekly elevation.
With the season down to a handful of games, let’s update their progress.
Round 2 #46
198 offensive reps – 54 special teams reps
The Rams have brought their top draft pick around slowly. He was inactive in two of the first five weeks of the season, and hardly saw the field in the other three (eight total offensive reps). Beginning in Week 6, L.A. started using him in the TE rotation and he built up to 45 snaps in last Sunday’s win over the Arizona Cardinals. With Tyler Higbee out indefinitely, TFerg should be in line for a continuation of elevated snap counts.
Ferguson has been used mainly as a Rams deep threat and although he’s only corralled five of 15 targets, he’s been good for 27.6 yards per catch and has a 31-yard touchdown.
Fans are excited about what little they have seen, and rightfully so. Ferguson is smooth and fluid into routes and can get downfield in a hurry. He’s done well creating separation on routes, using his stride and speed on linebackers and height and wingspan on safeties. I noticed he got his hand placement mixed up on a few targets and they clanked off incomplete. It’s part of the learning process, NFL defenders are adept at locking down receiver’s arms. Blocking is a work in progress, but Ferguson held his own last week in an extended effort (45 snaps).
Round 3 #90
313 defensaive reps – 91 special teams reps
Stewart has proven to be a very good Round 3 decision, end of Round 3 at that. The Rams have tossed him into the deep end as rookie and he’s navigated the waters, playing 36% of reps as the primary edge backup. DC Shula has not been apprehensive about moving him around the formation, akin to his...
