Turf Show Times
A thought on each Rams rookie from Terrance Ferguson to Konata Mumpfield
The dust has settled on the 2025 NFL Draft for the Los Angeles Rams. We mostly know how this year’s roster will be shaped following another active offseason.
The Rams expect to contend for a Super Bowl win this season. If they are going to get where they want to go, they’ll need another strong rookie class to act as a wind in their sails.
These are thoughts on each 2025 draft selection and how they slot into the depth chart short-term:
Sean McVay says the selection of Ferguson will help the offense lean on a heavier dose of 12 personnel; however, we’ve heard the Rams say that more than once only to remain rooted in primarily 11 personnel.
In my view, Ferguson will enter the season as TE2 behind Tyler Higbee and then likely overtake the veteran by year’s end. Higbee can be a highly productive offensive contributor in flashes, though we’ve never seen him produce consistently over a full season. Injuries have also limited his availability.
You don’t pick a TE in the second round—at least of Ferguson’s profile—if he isn’t the future starter. He’s too talented of a player to not involve often and could be the key to unlocking more efficiency in the red zone.
This pick didn’t seem to popular amongst fans during the draft, but I love what Stewart brings to the table for the Rams. He’s a high-motor and tenacious player that will help Jared Verse set the tone for the defense.
Stewart is a bet on the inverse of the traits we normally see NFL teams take fliers on, which are usually elite athletes without high level college production. Stewart is undersized and may not check all the boxes from an athletic standpoint. He’s a great football player and will find ways to impact opposing quarterbacks as the third rusher behind Verse and Byron Young.
There’s no denying that Kyren Williams is the lead man in Los Angeles. How long he remains a Ram is a question given the looming potential of a contract extension. For this season I see Hunter as the second back from a usage standpoint; however, second-year player Blake Corum is likely Williams’ direct backup.
Hunter is in LA to spell Williams and ensure that, if the offensive line opens the right blocks, big runs can be taken to the house instead of being held to moderate gains.
There is a steep climb to playing time along the Rams’ interior defensive line. Kobie Turner, Braden Fiske, and Poona Ford are entrenched starters. Last year’s sixth round pick Tyler Davis and 2023 seventh round selection Desjuan Johnson saw ample opportunities towards the end of last season. Leapfrogging those two players won’t be easy.
If we are being realistic,...
