After trading out of the first round, the Los Angeles Rams moved up three times to select players they really liked on the final couple days of the 2025 NFL Draft.
The team moved up to take running back Jarquez Hunter, defensive tackle Ty Hamilton and linebacker Chris Paul Jr. L.A. most notably traded a fourth-round pick in next year’s draft to select Hamilton out of Ohio State.
As a result, the Rams added only six players in the 2025 NFL Draft despite originally having eight picks.
Rams general manager general Les Snead explained that the team was so aggressive due to the lack of talent at the end of the draft. “I think it was based on our roster, how the board was going and players that you really were convicted could come in and contribute, whatever the vision for the role was,” Snead said.
“It was starting to get thin so we said, ‘You know what? Instead of waiting and let the draft happen to you, let’s go attack the draft.’ When you do that, you have to give up some picks but we thought that was the more appropriate thing to do as this thing evolved over the course of the each round.”
Rams head coach Sean McVay added: “I think the thing that worked out really well is before… you say you never want to chase for a need but the draft did kind of unfold and then you’re aggressive in pursuit of some players that you like. We really said in an ideal scenario, defensively we’re able to address the front and continue to add to that both inside and outside, be able to add an inside linebacker and then let’s add to the depth on our offensive skill.
“We were able to add a receiver, tight end and running back. You add an edge player, you add an interior player and then to be able to add the inside linebacker, that’s a really good scenario. It’s six players that we have a lot of appreciation for [and] you’re not reaching. That was part of the reason why we were able to do some of the things that we did.
“Real credit to Les, his group and the coaches. I think everybody’s excited and then there’s going to be some really good added undrafted free agents. We had seven guys, eight, if you include [RB] Cody Schrader, who were rookie free agents that played in football games for us last year as undrafted guys. Obviously, we got Cody a little bit later on because he was with the 49ers at first.
“You’re talking about seven guys from our undrafted free agent class that played meaningful snaps for us last year. Hey, the best players will play. We’re all about competition and we expect these six players to upgrade our roster and the players that we’ll add that will start after the draft.”
Rams’ roster depth played role in 2025 NFL Draft strategy
Snead added that the overall depth of the Rams’ roster made it easier for the team to trade up and be aggressive. “I think that plays a part when you have a roster where there are players coming back and returning with starting experience and playing experience,” Snead said.
“That definitely allows you to… I would say [there are] less ‘wide open’ spots. If it would’ve been a draft where… again, I forget how many we picked overall but six overall compared to 10 or 14 [players], but if it might have been a draft where you felt like the board could have given you 14 quality players, maybe you go that route. Again, if we would’ve brought in 14 draftees, it’s probably a hard roster to make though.”
